In the Crosshairs: Guam

By Douglas V. Gibbs
Author, Speaker, Instructor, Radio Host

The last time the Democrats, and their hard left allies in the media, were worried about Guam, it was because Congressman Hank Johnson, Democrat member of the House of Representatives from Georgia, said in 2010 that he feared the island may tip over if its population became too great.  By the way, he's still in office.

Now, with Kim Jong Un's saber rattling, and President Donald Trump telling North Korea that we are ready to respond if they try anything, the world has been on edge since inauguration day.

"Military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely. Hopefully Kim Jong-un will find another path!" Trump tweeted recently.

Pyongyang then announced plans to fire missiles near the US territory of Guam.

In the event of a North Korean nuclear attack on Guam, Japan’s new defense minister said Thursday that his country’s military could shoot down the missiles before they reach the U.S. territory.

Japanese cities have started to stage evacuation drills in preparation for a missile attack, and private sales of nuclear shelters have been booming.  Japan's defense ministry deployed the missile interception system to military bases in four prefectures.

Trump has also warned the U.S. may apply severe sanctions on North Korea as Communist China, and Russia, has called upon the President to show a little restraint when dealing with Kim Jong Un.

South Korea and the United States are still planning on carrying out a joint military training exercise in the coming weeks.  South Korea is home to the third largest contingent of American Troops overseas, with only Germany and Japan hosting more.

Guardian Graphic

While recommending restraint to the U.S., China has also indicated that if North Korea launched an attack that threatens the United States, the large communist country would remain neutral; an obvious warning to North Korea that if Pyongyang was to go too far, North Korea is on its own.

The rhetoric is beginning to remind us of a similar showdown in 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis.  And, the deeper down the rabbit hole we go, the less likely Kim Jong Un would be willing to step back from the ledge.

The likelihood of North Korea backing off as a result of negotiations is pretty thin.  After all, it has always been America's policy not to negotiate with terrorists.  The question is, "is the threat of war with a much more powerful United States enough to convince the pudgy dictator to back off?"

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary