Thanks fer clearing that up, MC!

The NK's have long used the strategy of creating a crisis to get everybody on the baragaining table. The diversions save face for the NK's who don't want to be seen as hungry paupers begging for scraps and the Americans can puff themselves up for averting a distaster.

Now the rules are changing. America's economic disaster has undermined our formidiability. With the attention of its military focused principally in Iraq etc., the NK's can flex their pecs with little fear of retaliation. According the NYT, the Americans have flinched, stating that they will approach the ships of NK's navy but not board them. Showing our hand this way was not smart, and we are the paper tiger now.

I don't underestimate the NK's capacity to pick a fight or step up and destabilize the region. I am confident that the Japanese and Chinese are equally concerned and may use force if necessary to keep things in check. The problem is the NK premeire is a nut and seems to have little qualms about using his people as cannon fodder.

God help us all!