----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Paul" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Killer Bs Discussion" <brin-l@mccmedia.com> Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2005 12:29 AM Subject: RE: Removing Dictators Re: Peaceful change L3
>And why isn't the US invading North Korea? >Why is it, as you put it "doing nothing"? As JDG said, the answer to that is fairly straightforward. South Korea begged Clinton not to. Even before they had nuclear weapons, the proximity of Seoul to the border, and the training of mutiple (10k) guns/morters on Seoul by North Korea would result in massive casualties. While there is little doubt that the US and South Korea would quickly win any war with North Korea, it wouldn't be quick enough to prevent 100,000-200,000 deaths. That was an overwhelming price to pay, and Clinton decided to accept the half a loaf solution with a verifyable freeze on plutonium extraction and production from the known nuclear reactor. JDG called this a failure, pointing out that other secret facilities were built and that N. Korea probably already had enough material for 1 or 2 more bombs. I differ with that assessemnt. As it stood, N. Korea had the ability to kill 100k-200k without nuclear weapons. This was the functional equivalant of roughly 2-3 atomic bombs of the caliber that N. Korea would have. If the US attacked, it was considered very likely that N. Korea would counterattack. Not making a partial deal and not attacking would leave the status quo in place. N. Korea had just extracted fuel rods that could be used for ~6 more weapons. They were also working on a large reactor that, by about 1998, woiuld be able to produce enough plutonium for about 40-50 bombs/years. >Poor George, no wonder he looks tired, tossing all night, crying over >the starving Koreans kiddies etc... What I don't understand is, given that I'm pretty sure I already mentioned this to you in an earlier discussion, why you don't consider any answer but Bush is a bad boy. Did you ask yourself "what are the differences between N. Korea and Iraq?" "Is there any difference in the estimated number of civilian casualties in each war?" Dan M. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
