The Chris Moeller Archives

The North Korean outlook

The traditional news media has apparently learned nothing from Iraq and Afghanistan. In their all-too-predictable coverage of the North Korea standoff, we get nothing but unfiltered talking points from the Pentagon. But Americans are admirably skeptical. Do you know anybody personally that really believes Kim Jung-un would launch a nuclear bomb at the United States in a fit of longing for assured mutual devastation? And right before the NBA playoffs?

The U.S. is now engaged in large-scale war games, along with South Korea, in hopes of heading off the modern Red Menace-- deploying missile-interceptor ships and sending “nuclear-capable” B-2 Stealth Bombers to the region, but what our subservient news media don’t focus on is that this is nothing new. South Korea and the U.S. were already launching test missiles over the Sea of Japan months ago. That’s what set Kim off in the first place.

At this point, it’s not even known if the North Korean government has garnered enough fuel to launch a missile. It's incapable of flying a modern air force. Secretary of State Kerry has been called to duty in the region to provide his look of gloom. The man is perfect for his job in that his natural facial construction peddles the perception of a multitude of military threats facing the Great Power at all times. He’s manna from Central Casting for a country that's afraid of its own shadow.

Don’t you feel that palpable sense that the people just aren’t buying this one? This is not to say they can’t be manipulated. If the U.S. chose to strike Pyongyang, public support would skyrocket in the way that it always does when a new war begins. In this country, war is still something that always takes place “over there,” so if Obama and Kerry decide to direct an Israeli-style missile assault against the Korean Peninsula’s munchkin army, Facebook would surely back up the effort, exploding with humorous attacks upon the comical appearance of Kim Jung-un. The dictator’s image would be tacked up over the firing targets at gun ranges all across the country.

Yes, the time has come for war. The budget stalemate rages on, and the threat of having to make significant military cuts has become otherwise inescapable. Our last decent Enemy of the State, at least one that could be named by a majority of consumers at your city's largest box superstore, has been dead so long, they’ve had time to make a movie about it. We’ve been so lacking in nation-states as legitimate threats, we've even had to invent them (Iraq) to force our imperialist agenda. Those asshole 9-11 terrorists had the gall to kill themselves as part of their attack, defeating any chance we might have had at the true emotional closure of Texas-style justice.

So bring on the North Korean Dr. Evil. Our ruling elite in Washington are in more desperate need of an engrossing television serial than is the National Broadcasting Company. The once-frightened populace requires freshened incentive to run back to the enemy-industrial complex with submissive temperament and open wallet. We’ve been making war for too long with nobody in particular. And losing.

posted by CM @ 5:37 PM