The Trouble with Missiles

I've been following the fallout and verbal crossfire of the North Korean missile launch for the past few days, with the expected results. And based on what I've heard, I'm convinced that President Obama has completely forgotten history. And it may turn out to be the first step toward the kind of crisis you find in novels.

First of all, my response would have been to watch the missile until it hit its perigee (after all, it was a communication satellite(*cough, cough, bullshit*)), then shot the bastard down. It lets you see what Mighty Troll Kim Jong Il (apologies to all the trolls out there) and his little bitch regime is up to while sending a clear message: We can shoot down your shit, so don't piss in our Cheerios. Plus, you don't need to ask the UN to do nothing (not a typo, as they only say, they don't do).

Now before you start screaming about my warmongering or my disregard of other people's rights, or whatever the hell your blather about my sanity (or lack thereof) will be, I base this on a principle that dates back to before the beginning of this country and was most succinctly summed up by none other than Ronald Reagan:
Peace Through Strength

One of our country's early advocates of this concept was President John Adams. In his day, the threat was from invasions by England and France, and by attacks from the Barbary Pirates. He advocated a strong naval presence, the "Wooden Wall," to make the country secure. And he began this process in his four years, forging a peace that lasted until 1812.

In the 20th century, the surest keeper of the peace was the nuclear weapon. That began with the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which through the death of thousands convinced Japan to forgo a fight that would have been a cost of life in the millions. Now having this weapon, and our eventual enemies getting this weapon, meant that it ended world wars that plagued the first half of the century. Instead, we were reduced to wars by proxy, and the constant unease of the Cold War. This continued until Reagan, with balls of steel and a touch of bullshitting, broke out the Strategic Defense Initiative, which was panned regularly, never implemented as a practical system, and was a key component in winning the Cold War. Well, that and joking about starting the bombing in five minutes and the whole evil empire thing. And spending enough to make our military really big.

But now we're in the 21st century. We've beaten all the big enemies (except China, and a war would cost them too much money (gotta love capitalism)). Most of the remaining countries that threaten us couldn't muster an army we couldn't bomb out of existence in a heartbeat. The only thing they could do would be to lob a missile at us.

Which brings us back to the likes of Kim the Turd Jong Il (apologies to turds in every bowl for that comparison). Maybe he'll be tucked in a bunker far away from us and won't mind if we bomb him after he shoots the missile. Maybe he'll sell the tech to one of those lovely terrorists who will light that candle in a heartbeat. Either way, it means that missile defense is absolutely the technology we need for defense.

Everything else I can see might be a debatable item. And we should look at our current expenditures and decide if we need to be everywhere we currently are. But that Obama decides to cut missile defense, responds to the zit on the ass of the world that is Kim Jong Il (apologies to ass acne) with stern words, and turns to the UN (Ugly and Nutless) to deal with him when he has the perceived might of the United States that could be brought to bear to keep ol Kimmy in check is a sign of rank weakness.

What else can I say, other than: Man up, Barry! A little swagger goes a long way, and Kim ain't going to like you anyway.

And more importantly (and seriously), talking is a good thing. But talk is cheap when you can't back it up.