War of Words

Good aftern-

...oon.  Hm!  Well, you don't see that every day.  At least, we all hope that we don't see it any day, but the recent posturing (nonsense?) between North Korea and the United States raises the specter of this scenario becoming a reality.  It's been a pretty good show lately!

We can hit America with our nuclear missiles now!

You'd better stop making threats or we'll rain fire and fury down upon you!

Specifically, we can nuke Guam.

Maybe I wasn't clear.  Any more threats will be met with FIRE and FURY.

Here's precisely how we'll be nuking Guam in mid-August.

And back and forth and around and around we go, each side seeming to up their rhetoric.  As I've said, a pretty good show!  But while the president is opting for inflammatory language, others in the administration are urging for calm.

Secretary of State Tex Rillerson, who sounds precisely as he looks in a most charming way.

Tex has urged for calm, and rightly so.

“Americans should sleep well at night. I have no concerns about this particular rhetoric over the last few days.”

An entirely reasonable response, and probably a correct one.  I've been seeing lately that as bonkers as a lot of the United States is seeming lately, Secretary Rillerson has been unusually professional. Ten points to Tex!

However, to contrast this message, here's Dr. Gorka...

...who also sounds exactly as he looks, and is at his most effective when he's achieved a state of peak smug.

"The idea that Secretary Tillerson is going to discuss military matters is simply nonsensical."

Say what you like about this administration, but there is no shortage of opposing viewpoints.  Doc Sebastian is a helluva treat to watch and listen to.  Just a phenomenal talent of saying ridiculous things with a straight face.  I haven't seen such a gutsy performance since...

...this gentleman right here graced us with his verbal gymnastics.

No, there's no accusing the Trump administration of myopic group think.

Dr. Gorka continued...

"It is the job of Secretary Mattis, the Secretary of Defense, to talk about the military options, and he has done so unequivocally today.  He said, 'Woe betide anyone who militarily challenges the United States,' and that is his portfolio. That is his mandate."

Gen. Mattis, by the way...

...is another man who sounds precisely as he looks.

The man is as tough as tough as they come and he has the language to back it up.  Here's his full statement on North Korea's recent missile-related threats:

"The United States and our allies have the demonstrated capabilities and unquestionable commitment to defend ourselves from attack. Kim Jong Un should take heed of the United Nations Security Council's unified voice, and statements from governments the world over, who agree the DPRK poses a threat to global security and stability. The DPRK must choose to stop isolating itself and stand down its pursuit of nuclear weapons. The DPRK should cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of its regime and the destruction of its people.

"President Trump was informed of the growing threat last December and on taking office his first orders to me emphasized the readiness of our ballistic missile defense and nuclear deterrent forces. While our State Department is making every effort to resolve this global threat through diplomatic means, it must be noted that the combined allied militaries now posses the most precise, rehearsed, and robust defensive and offensive capabilities on earth. The DPRK regime's actions will continue to be grossly overmatched by ours and would lose any arms race or conflict it initiates."

Take a moment to breathe it in,  Pretty straightforward.  Very tough and very clear.  Provocative? Maybe.  Mushy?  Not a chance. What you see is what you get.

But is all of this tough talk recklessly spawning World War III, or is there a little bit of a method to the madness?  A hint can be found in China's recent announcement that is the United Stated attacks North Korea, that China will come to North Korea's aid.  However, if North Korea attacks the United States or its allies, that North Korea is on its own to suffer the "precise, rehearsed and robust" consequences.

And here lies the nub of the issue.  If North Korea shoots first, it will be alone and will soon find that the remainder of the world will, at the least, not be unhappy to see the end of the Kim family.  If the United States goads North Korea into military retaliation, then...

...oh well!  It's not like we didn't warn you.

Sometimes, it must be said, a war of words is not necessarily a bad thing.  Trump is certainly welcome to keep his big mouth running, as long as that's all he does.

Gen. von Drumpf

Talk tough all you want, but please leave the war-making to the professionals.

Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

Indeed.  Chirp away, I say!  Until next time!  We hope.