North Korea threatens to nuke Hawaii
Gates stated on Thursday the military is "watching" that situation "very closely," and would have "some concerns" if North Korea launched a missile in the direction of Hawaii. But he expressed confidence in U.S. ability to handle such a launch. Gates said he's directed the deployment of the Theater High Altitude Area Defense, a mobile missile defense system used for knocking down long- and medium-range missiles.
"The ground-based interceptors are clearly in a position to take action. So, without telegraphing what we will do, I would just say ... I think we are in a good position, should it become necessary, to protect the American territory."
On Wednesday, a military radar system — shaped like a giant golf ball — slowly disappeared from Hawaii's coast as it headed out to sea. The 28-story missile X-Band defense radar is designed to work with ground-based missile interceptors on the island of Kauai to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles during their final phase of flight. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system was returned to Hawaii after the mobile launcher recently was tested at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
Since 2005, all six tests of the ground-based missile system have intercepted their targets, excluding tests when the targets malfunctioned, Missile Defense Agency spokeswoman Pam Rogers said.
This will be a superb opportunity to see our missile defense program, of which President Obama cut over $1 billion from the budget, the day after North Korea fired its missile.
It is doubtful if the missile which has a range of 4,000 miles (6,500 kilometers), could hit the main islands of Hawaii which is 4,500 miles (7,200 kilometers) from North Korea. But, the firing of the missile is a direct affront to the UN sanctions and the United States.
According to intelligence analysts, North Korea's missiles could strike the U.S. within three years if its weapons growth goes unchecked, but this does not mean they lack the capability at this moment.
However, The independent International Crisis Group said the North is believed to have between 2,500 and 5,000 tons of chemical weapons, including mustard gas, phosgene, blood agents and sarin. These weapons can be delivered with ballistic missiles and long-range artillery and are "sufficient to inflict massive civilian casualties on South Korea." South Korea's annual defense report, published early this year, said that in addition to chemical weapons, the North is believed to be capable of producing biological weapons with agents like anthrax and smallpox.
The logical portion of my brain tells me this is merely more posturizing on the part of the diminutive little North Korean dictator. The logical side of my brain believes this is an attempt to make himself look big to his people. Some analysts believe that the North's rhetoric is aimed at showing people at home that their government can defy the powerful U.S., and giving credit for it to Kim's reported heir apparent, Kim Jong Un. The analysts say this would make Jong Un's ascent to the top acceptable to the North Koreans. Now, does this rhetoric still work out well for him if he doesn't actually fire the missile? Or if it self destructs on the launch pad creating a nuclear blast seen from outer space? Or if, like the last launch the missile falls into the ocean 40 seconds into flight?
However, there is also that part of my brain that tells me the world has seen many "mad as hatter" nutjob dictators that come to believe their own hype and propaganda and have led their countries to total destruction. Is North Korea soon to be added to the list? Assuming President Obama takes any action....... other than a strongly worded letter of protest.
If they really wanted to nuke us they wouldn't have announced it. This is just North Korea posturing. They'd be real fucking stupid to shoot anything in this direction at all... but if they do, I suspect it will intentionally fall short. Whether they have the capability to actually get it here or not.
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