As someone who takes an interest in world politics and keeps up with current events, I am often confronted with things in the news that frustrate the hell out of me and lead me to further believe that humanity is well on its way to self destruction.
Well ok, that last part has more to do with the popularity of reality television, but you get the picture.
Anyway though, because I have nothing better to do at the moment and occasionally enjoy sharing some of my cynicism, this is a rant about a current event in the world as I see it.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock or just have no interest in what’s going on in the world, you’ve probably heard about that little gem of a basket-case-nation-waiting-to-explode, North Korea, launching a long range rocket recently.
They say it’s for a “peaceful communications satellite” while 90% of the rest of the countries that matter in the international community are calling “BS!”
Taking into account North Korea’s history of giving the world the finger, and their enigmatic,
much beloved Dear Leader Kim Jong Il’s (give him a hand everybody) insistence on acquiring nuclear weapons despite the angry letters he received from the UN, that he probably had incinerated or fed to peasants, I’m inclined to agree with the majority
in this case.
Think about it: We invade Iraq because we think Saddam has stockpiles of WMD and could threaten the security of the world from his little sandbox. Fast forward a few years, moving on up that “Axis of Evil” list and the United States along with the UN are shaking their fists and passing economic sanctions on Iran for creating nuclear material that could potentially be used to make nukes.
All the while, North Korea is actually making nuclear weapons and not even bothering to deny it.
Wow. Yeah, the UN shook its fist at North Korea and sanctions were passed on them, but by God they were already so deep in the hole I doubt it would have made a difference to “Dear Leader” if a few thousand more peasants starved to death because of a decrease in aid shipments. He’s stuffing his pudgy face with lobster and baby panda bear or whatever psycho dictator’s consider a delicacy anyway.
I know Jon Stewart at the Daily Show already made the Iran/North Korea comparison about their nuclear ambitions, but it still merits discussion.
The bottom line is that North Korea has the bomb, and seems to be intent on being able to threaten other nations with it in the future (Communications satellite my ass).
My question is this: How can this still be going on? I guess it makes sense that we can’t just invade North Korea. After all, our hands are just too tied up managing the messes in Iraq and Afghanistan, and China wouldn’t appreciate another Communist regime biting the dust, courtesy of Uncle Sam.
It’d be a big mess for South Korea too, especially if nukes are in the equation.
Still, the free world really dropped the ball here, and although some progress was made with trying to talk N. Korea into dismantling their nuclear program, their rocket launch just shows that they’re still at it.
Also, because North Korea doesn’t really have anything that we want, it’s doubtful we or any other nation will take direct action against them until Kim Jong has his finger hovering over a bright red button. At that point though, what can you do but sit back and watch the fireworks?
We certainly live in interesting times.
