No one can completely understand the motivations of the North Koreans, but it is entirely possible that their recent revelation of their uranium enrichment centrifuges and Pyongyang's shelling of a South Korean island Tuesday are designed to remind the world that they deserve respect in negotiations that will shape their future. Ultimately, the choice for the United States may be between diplomatic niceties and avoiding a catastrophic confrontation.
Yeah, for our enemies in former President Carter's mind, killing a bunch of people is just a regrettable lack of "diplomatic niceties." You know, like setting their chair lower than yours. Or making them wait outside the office while you pretend you are busy. Stuff like that. Regrettable. But what are you going to do? Nutballs will be nutballs. Best to just go along and pretend nothing is wrong.
As for that "respect" that Carter wants us to have, North Korea deserves the same respect you'd give a rabid Pit Bull that got into your yard where your toddler is playing.
Say "nice doggie" while reaching for a weapon to kill it. That's what we need to do. That's all the respect we should have for the Pillsbury Nuke Boy and his murderous spawn waiting in the wings.
Carter, on the other hand, doesn't even get that level of respect from me. What a piece of work that man is.
