North Korea to test "long-range" rocket.

[jsktrogdor]

Just hours after the United States warned that North Korea would achieve nothing with threats or provocations, Pyongyang moved a long-range rocket it plans to test fire to a launch pad Monday, a South Korean defense ministry official said.

The news broke at the start of a two-day nuclear summit in Seoul that is bringing together leaders from the United States, Russia, China and dozens of other nations to discuss how to deal with nuclear terrorism and how to secure the world's nuclear material. But North Korea's announcement that it plans to carry out a rocket-powered satellite launch in mid-April is overshadowing a message of international cooperation for the summit.

South Korea has said it considers the satellite launch an attempt to develop a nuclear-armed missile, while U.S. President Barack Obama said Monday such a launch would bring repercussions.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/26/world/...html?hpt=hp_t1

Really though the thread is just an excuse for me to complain about this...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Really CNN users? I mean really? "ROCKET MOVED TO LAUNCH PAD!" didnt seem worth your time but... wait what!? ZOMG TIGER FINALLY WON?!

[hellheaven1987]

Japan already states it would shoot down the rocket since the rocket would travel above its territory.

[jsktrogdor]

Japan already states it would shoot down the rocket since the rocket would travel above its territory.

Would that involve a robot? Please tell me it does.




Anyway I found these parts of the article to be borderline humorous:

Using ballistic missile technology is in violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874 and against a deal struck with the United States earlier this month that it would not carry out nuclear or missile tests in return for food aid.

Ballistic missiles or food.... hmmmm such a tough choice...

North Korea says it has a right to a peaceful space program and has invited international space experts and journalists to witness the launch. Prior to Obama's speech, Pyongyang said it will see any critical statement of its nuclear program as "a declaration of war."

I think that possibly the biggest indicator that your space program isnt all that "peaceful" is that simply criticizing said program is a declaration of war.

[Diamat]

Japan already states it would shoot down the rocket since the rocket would travel above its territory.

North Korea already announced a change in trajectory. It will now launch the rocket southward.

Just let them launch their stupid missile and stop making a big fuzz about it. It's most likely gonna fail like the last one. In addition, I find it hard to deny North Korea the freedom of sending satellites into space or developing its own missile systems, even if it is for military purposes. I find it somewhat hypocritical that countries such as the United States or Israel are allowed to fire long-range missiles (and possess nuclear bombs, Israel not even being part of the NNPT), but then when it comes to "rogue" states such as North Korea, everybody gangs up against them. That's just the honest truth. I'm neither for nor against North Korea; I'm neither anti- nor pro-US. It's just common sense. I thought all nations are supposed to be treated as equals. If so, their sovereignty must be respected. If you demand a nation give up its missiles, then negotiate a deal in which you will also give up yours.

[Condottiere 40K]

This I would like to see happen.

[hellheaven1987]

I bet North Korea got the inspiration from Iran's "peaceful" nuclear development; anyway, Japan would use the new Patriot missile system to shoot down that rocket.

[Sphere]

Ballistic missiles or food.... hmmmm such a tough choice...

Missiles.

[Condottiere 40K]

Guns will make us powerful; butter will only make us fat.

Hermann Goering

[Sphere]

Amen.

[Condottiere 40K]

[Caelius]

I think that quote and those two pictures now explain why Norway ran completely out of it's butter supply recently.

[Exarch]

it's a satellite launch, not a weapons platform

[Heathen Hammer]

it's a satellite launch, not a weapons platform

This. Than again, with all the media hysteria about North Korea, they'll say they develop WMD's even if NK opens a shoe factory.

[Sphere]

it's a satellite launch, not a weapons platform

You seem to be eager to grant the North Korean regime the error of the doubt, which they have done nothing to earn.

This is a weapons program, just like the nuclear program was a weapons program. Indeed, the N. Korean government seems incapable of undergoing any major effort which is not a weapons program.

Insular and paranoid military dictatorship, is insular, paranoid and militaristic.

[Exarch]

You seem to be eager to grant the North Korean regime the error of the doubt, which they have done nothing to earn.

they're not alone in being treacherous in their dealings; the north korean/US diplomatic relationship since the early 90s has been fraught with broken promises and backstabbing.

what i find amusing is how much north korea-an impoverished hermit country- makes ppl here sweat; they appear to have forgotten that north korea is surrounded by nations with enough firepower to glass the peninsula over 9000 times, as well as possessing ABM abilities.

[Sphere]

Nations which consider 1984 as a work of fiction are justified in being worried about a state run by a regime which considers it a manual.

Save your apologism for more worthy candidate that the Kim dynasty.

[Exarch]

Nations which consider 1984 as a work of fiction are justified in being worried about a state run by a regime which considers it a manual.

Save your apologism for more worthy candidate that the Kim dynasty.

what apologism?
you believe that since i don't agree with you, that i must therefore be "against you" and therefore supportive of the Kim Dynasty?

truly, 1984 is not just a work of fiction.

[Diamat]

Nations which consider 1984 as a work of fiction are justified in being worried about a state run by a regime which considers it a manual.

Save your apologism for more worthy candidate that the Kim dynasty.

I'm not trying to defend North Korea. I have nothing against the idea of stopping North Korea from launching a long-range missile. However, if you do so, is it ok to do it without making concessions of your own? Should you not also stop firing things into space? Is it morally correct to stop one nation from doing something we do all the time because we think of their governmental system as morally corrupt? Because we think our standards are superior?

I'm just asking the questions people tend to forget to ask. Please nobody turn this into a Communism vs. Democracy thread, or a liberty vs. autocracy thread. Let's try to answer this question from a more balanced perspective, considering all the pros and cons. What are your counterarguments?

[Exarch]

I'm not trying to defend North Korea. I have nothing against the idea of stopping North Korea from launching a long-range missile. However, if you do so, is it ok to do it without making concessions of your own? Should you not also stop firing things into space? Is it morally correct to stop one nation from doing something we do all the time because we think of their governmental system as morally corrupt? Because we think our standards are superior?

I'm just asking the questions people tend to forget to ask. Please nobody turn this into a Communism vs. Democracy thread, or a liberty vs. autocracy thread. Let's try to answer this question from a more balanced perspective, considering all the pros and cons. What are your counterarguments?

this,
+rep

[Vanoi]

I'm not trying to defend North Korea. I have nothing against the idea of stopping North Korea from launching a long-range missile. However, if you do so, is it ok to do it without making concessions of your own? Should you not also stop firing things into space? Is it morally correct to stop one nation from doing something we do all the time because we think of their governmental system as morally corrupt? Because we think our standards are superior?

Using ballistic missile technology is in violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874

Thats why the US can shoot all the missiles it wants and North Korea cannot.