Should US Take North Korea Seriously?

             Shame on North Korea.  The North Korean leadership continues to escalate bellicose rhetoric and actions.  Yet, most Americans believe if the talk turns to action, America will turn North Korea into a parking lot.  Most analysts don’t believe North Korea is anywhere near having the technological capabilities to build a nuclear missile, much less deliver one to the American homeland.  However, we should not write off Dictator Kim Jong-un so quickly, as an initial attack could inflict serious damage to the United States and allies.

            Kim Jong-un has ramped up war preparations in the past few months.  North Korea detonated a small nuclear device on February 12, 2013.  Since then, the state controlled media released a propaganda video which depicted a destroyed city resembling New York. 

The nation has said it will no longer abide by the 1953 armistice agreement, which restored the border between North and South Korea following the Korean War.  Kim Jong-un has issued multiple and direct verbal threats to the United States, South Korea, Japan, and others.  The dictator cut the direct line between Seoul and Pyongyang.  Can one imagine if the Soviet Union had done this during the Cuban Missile Crisis?  The North Korean leader has readied military forces, conducted training exercises, and Fox News reports is entering a 'state of war.'  There are seemingly no serious thoughts of an attack on America, yet the United States’ show of force by flying B-2 stealth bombers over South Korea may be an indicator that there is more than meets the eye.

            A new series of released photos in the North Korean war room may inadvertently show a North Korean ‘U.S. Mainland Strike Plan.’  On these maps appearing in the photos, Guam, Hawaii, Washington D.C., and Austin, Texas as potential targets.  Each is obviously a strategic military target.  While analysts dismiss a mainland attack, North Korea has other means to employ, which would more likely resemble a terrorist plot than an invasion.  As a non-party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, North Korea has an estimated 5000 tons of chemical weapons.  They have the demonstrated ability to detonate a small nuclear device, which could lead one to believe they have the capability to initiate a dirty bomb style attack.  In an article on March 30, 2013 by Jim Michaels of USA Today, some analysts believe that an initial attack could be potentially damaging as Kim Jong-un would attempt to overwhelm opposing forces by sheer volume of attacks. 

            North Korea’s best ally and protectorate is China.  Recent and frequent cyber attacks have targeted financial institutions, energy companies, and even the U.S. military.  The cyber attacks are seemingly coming from China.  While the Chinese government vehemently denies involvement in the hackings, one must consider the possibility of a rogue group, or even North Korean operatives attempting to steal the information necessary to aid Kim Jong-un’s quest in creating a nuclear missile warhead.  North Korea, much like their Chinese counterparts, has a state controlled communist media outlet.  Leaked videos and photos from North Korea very well could be to distract from true targets in the event of an attack.  New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Austin, Guam, Hawaii, Seoul, Tokyo, and U.S. military bases have all been singled out by North Korea.  But with chemical warheads and dirty bomb style attacks, cities such as Chicago, San Diego, and St. Louis can not be ruled out as potential targets in an attack. 

Even Milwaukee could be targeted, playing host to homegrown events like Summerfest, or even with the agricultural reputation of the state.  The Department of Homeland Security obtained information that terrorist groups had planned to attack smaller American cities to demoralize the populace’s feeling of safety within the homeland.  A North Korean attack on the mainland would be more similar to a terrorist attack, thus voiding the possibility of a safe feeling anywhere.

            It is unclear how serious Kim Jong–un is about going to war.  It would be an unlikely scenario if the dictator was unaware of the forces that would come down upon his country in the event of an actual war.  However, this is the present problem.  All of the rhetoric is reactive.  There seems to be no sense of a need to preemptively stop possible North Korean aggression against South Korea, Japan, and the United States.  While the rhetoric is increasingly belligerent, the reaction is increasingly reactive.  A more proactive approach to North Korea now could prevent reactive actions if North Korean rhetoric turns to action.  However, much like the Cold War, foreign relations with the rogue nation is much like a game of chess, calculated and precise.  If we play our pieces correctly, we can avoid a war-like conflict with North Korea.  We should still go about our days normally, yet aware of the gravity of the situation.  Awareness to the possibilities could be the ultimate American weapon.  Should the North continue down the path of war, an ignorant America simply writing them off could be Kim Jong-un’s greatest weapon.  Proactive foreign policy and an aware population can change the discourse of North Korea.  The time has come to change our reactive attitudes into proactive ones, thus avoiding the potential need to turn North Korea into a parking lot altogether.

Referenced Articles On North Korea:

• Michaels, Jim, and Tom Vanden Brook. "North Korea could inflict significant damage in attack." USA Today 30 Mar. 2013. Web. 30 Mar. 2013. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/03/30/north-korea-military-attack-threat/2036639/.
• "North Korea in 'state of war' with Seoul, as US officials denounce remarks, stand ready." FoxNews.com. Fox News, 30 Mar. 2013. Web. 30 Mar. 2013. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/03/30/north-korea-in-tate-war-with-seoul-as-us-officials-denounce-remarks-stand-ready/.

 

           

A Tale of Two Wisconsin Cities

  “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness,” wrote Charles Dickens in A Tale of Two Cities. While Dickens wrote on London and Paris, the appropriateness of such respective comparisons in regards to two Wisconsin cities can be startling. While sharing many connections, many make the incorrect assumption that Waukesha is simply a suburb of Milwaukee. But stark contrasts show that Waukesha is an independent city of which is enjoying the best of times, whereas Milwaukee finds itself in the worst.

 A quick look at simple statistics will show that the progressive ideology governing the city of Milwaukee has failed, whereas the more conservative ideology of Waukesha has succeeded. The city of Waukesha routinely is recognized at a national level for excellence. Waukesha has received many outstanding awards, including: Wisconsin Library of the year; National Gold Medal Winner for Parks, Recreation, and Forestry; and America’s Promise Alliance for 100 Best Communities for Young People. Waukesha is also frequently listed in best small cities lists and even Money Magazine’s America’s Best Places to Live. This is due to several basic factors. Waukesha boasts a stable 97% graduation rate. Waukesha West High School has a near perfect graduation rate at 99.7%. Outstanding education along with a friendly and present police force attributes to an abnormally low crime rate. Waukesha also adopts a conservative economic outlook with downtown revitalization, business-friendly policies, and a balanced city budget.

 This is a stark contrast to progressive Milwaukee. The graduation rate of Milwaukee is around 61%, which is actually improved since state funded school voucher programs went into effect. The crime rate in Milwaukee is abnormally high for a city of that size. Violent crimes number 10 per 1000 residents, where the national average is 3.9. An overwhelmed police force protects the city as best they can, falling victim to frequent scandals the impotent police Chief Flynn rigging crime statistics. Milwaukee is lucky to also be enforced by the county sheriff’s department under Sheriff Clarke; otherwise crime could be much worse. All of these facts, combined with cold winters and high property taxes, recently landed Milwaukee on Forbes’ Most Miserable Cities List.

 These stark contrasts are not because of population differences; Waukesha has 70,867 residents, Milwaukee has 597,867. In fact Waukesha enjoys a large population growth rate where Milwaukee’s population is in steady decline. It isn’t because of ‘white flight’ from Milwaukee to the suburbs. A growing number of minority groups are leaving the city to seek refuge in the more conservative areas. These differences in the two cities are directly related to the local policies that govern them. Some critics claim Waukesha Mayor Jeff Scrima ran on the basis that Milwaukee is attempting to assert authority over Waukesha. However, he won, and may win reelection on that platform. Waukesha isn’t afraid of Milwaukee; residents simply see Milwaukee attempts to assert progressive authority over the more conservative Waukesha as a threat to the quality of life enjoyed by Waukesha residents. The city of Waukesha is not a suburb, but a rapidly growing, conservative leaning, and independent city. Waukesha wishes to keep enjoying the best of times as they grow. Hopefully, Milwaukee will soon see the light and change the ideology that put the city in that position.

Freedom Weekly, March 13, 2013 Vol. 003 Issue 006

What Doesn’t Kill The GOP Will Make It Stronger

  Every so often in American history, factions of the same political party part ways, which creates a temporary national three-party system.  It comes as no surprise that the GOP is seemingly fractured beyond repair after the stinging loss in 2012.  There are Tea Party Patriot groups slamming the establishment with portraits of Karl Rove dressed as a Nazi.  Terms like neo-con and tea party militant are tossed around to demonize the same person who was an ally just a few short months ago.  Of course, we all hear from the mainstream media that this is the end of the GOP.  However, infighting between party factions on both sides of the aisle has served to strengthen a party’s resolve to win future elections.

  Infighting and nitpicking within a party can be used to the party’s advantage.  One should not forget the massive split between Democrats in 2008; Hillary v. Barack.  It was obvious Clinton underestimated the strength of her primary opponent.  When Obama won the nomination, many Clinton supporters refused their support.  However, Democrats quickly repaired the fractures within the party.  The situation with conservatives may seem dire.  Yet the name calling and finger pointing is child’s play in comparison with the Democrat split just four years ago.  The Democrats were simply forced to come together quickly, whereas conservatives will have until the 2014 midterms to come together.  Two years of infighting means two years of media coverage, as the mainstream will believe they are witnessing the GOP self destruct.  What the media will unknowingly accomplish is bringing attention to the conservative platform.  Various studies show negative coverage is far more powerful than positive.  Many independents who may have believed the Republicans are the party of no will begin to see that conservatives are truly for freedom, liberty, and individual responsibility.  

  The Republican Party has a unique opportunity to bring conservative values to the forefront, even if it is through bickering and mocking the ‘other guy.’  When push comes to shove, conservatives will realize a larger uniting agenda –to stop the Democrat’s progressive socialist agenda and return American values to those who represent America.  Conservatives may be angry or upset, but these combative conservatives were once allies in an ongoing crusade against government intrusion.  Much like the left came together in 2008; conservative factions will ultimately be allies once again, for it is the American way to put aside differences when it matters most.  With a united GOP, a bit of ingenuity, and hard work, the midterm and 2016 presidential elections should prove once and for all that the conservative movement should never be underestimated.    

Freedom Weekly, February 27, 2013 Vol. 003 Issue 005