Today's good stuff...

[sorrowmonkey]

First off, am I the only one concerned that North Korea now has working nuclear weapons? Are we just going to let that go?

Now, to happier news. Americans continue to destroy the environment (just ask my Green Party classmates), however, things are actually getting better in some of the big cities...

New York

The Hudson River is now home to all of the fish species that ever lived there. Also, many water pests not seen in over a century are back: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=animals_oddities&id=4616464

Boston

The Charles River was approved for swimming after a 50 year haitus: http://www.charlesriverconservancy.org/projects/swimming/index.html

Comments

[winterswitchery.livejournal.com]

I don't know, I think Iran having them is slightly scarier. The Asian countries nearby don't seem too pleased. lol

[ferriludant.livejournal.com]

Are we going to let it go? What course of action can you think of which doesn't have the death of one of our cities as a probable outcome? The historical answer is: wait for the lunatic to die, and establish trading relationships with the country.

[baronessmartha.livejournal.com]

I am not amused by NK, but I think China is less amused. I think we should keep an eye on it, the man is a nutter.

I am still not swimming in the Charles River. ew.

[nrawling.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure that I can guarantee that any course of action with any certainly that one of our cities will be harmed. At the same time, I don't think that inaction will protect our cities either.

Remember, Kim Jong Il *is* the new guy. What makes you think the next guy will be any better?

[nrawling.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on the Charles. Just because the EPA says it's safe doesn't mean I'm real eager to try it. Still, I understand it is still much better than it used to be.

I think the current North Korea situation illustrates two things to me. The first is that if you leave a fight before it's over, you are still going to have to deal with the problem eventually. The second is that ignoring the crazies does not make them go away.

To build on ferriludant's comment, what can be done now? I think North Korea with nuclear weapons is like a lunatic gunman in a Gun Free School Zone: all of your options are bad, and at the end of the day, someone is almost certain to get hurt.

[nrawling.livejournal.com]

Do you think there's anything we could possibly do in handling the North Korea situation, which would help us avoid the same situation with Iran in six months to a year?

[winterswitchery.livejournal.com]

Besides smiting them off the map? Hm..not really. Unless we want to put their dictator in the next James Bond movie to make him happy!