Four minutes to midnight

The nuclear holocaust clock is probably at 4 minutes to midnight, in my opinion. A US warship successfully shot down a target missile warhead over the Pacific in a test of a sea-based missile defense system. A Japanese destroyer performed surveillance and tracking exercises during the test, marking the first time any US ally has taken part in a US missile defense intercept test, the US Missile Defense Agency said.

Why was this test performed?

The test came amid a confrontation with North Korea over its preparations to launch a long-range missile - which is capable of hitting the United States. If the North Koreans launch the missile, and debris falls onto parts of Japan, Japan has stated it will consider that an act of war.

North Korea is preparing to launch a multi-stage Taepodong-2 ballistic missile with a range of up to 6,700 kilometers (4,200 miles). US reports have said a launch was imminent.

See, folks, launching occurs in three stages. One, you load the missile, two you position it, and three you fuel it. Once it is fueled, and a decision is made to reverse a launch, the launcher must be defueled and that must be done within 24 hours. If the decision is to launch, this must also be done within 24 hours. Well, the launcher has been fueled for more than five days.

I'm sure some of you are stating that it's America that's being aggressive and that is why North Korea wants to test its missiles. Well, you're wrong. Here is North Korea's official statement about their right to launch a missile; see, they just want to celebrate 42 years of totalitarianism. You can find this classic textbook Communist propaganda on the News From KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY of DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) website. An excerpt:

A national meeting took place at the April 25 House of Culture here Sunday to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the WPK on June 19, Juche 53 (1964) according to the noble intention of President Kim Il Sung and the unanimous desire of the Korean army and people was a noteworthy event which brought a rosy future to the party and revolution, the country and the nation...

What is distinguished in the history of his leadership over the Party is that he has developed the WPK into a mighty guiding force of the Songun revolution to provide a firm guarantee for accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche.

The WPK pioneered the unique way of perfectly and closely combining the party and the army, politics and military affairs in carrying out the cause of revolution and pushing forward the revolution and construction with the revolutionary army as the main force and the main stay. It is an event of world historical significance, the first of its kind in the history of building socialist ruling parties.

Kim Jong Il formulated the Songun politics as the basic political mode of socialism and has concentrated all efforts on strengthening the military power to turn the People's Army into an invincible army and smash every isolating and stifling offensive of the U.S. imperialists with its might and firmly defend socialism of Juche, life and soul of the Korean people.

It is an event of special mention in the history of the Korean revolution that under his Songun revolutionary leadership the military position of the DPRK with the People's Army as its core has been consolidated as firm as an iron wall and a firm military guarantee provided for accomplishing the cause of revolutionary cause of Juche, the cause of the Party...

Kim Jong Il represents the future of the Party and revolution, the country and the nation and a symbol of all our victories and glory...

We should unite closer around the headquarters of revolution headed by Kim Jong Il and firmly consolidate the single-minded unity of the whole party and army and all the people based on revolutionary comradeship centering on the leader...

The Korean army and people will do their best to increase the military deterrent with sharp vigilance to cope with the moves of the U.S., which is hell-bent on provocations for war of aggression on the DPRK, resorting to its anti-DPRK policy, and its followers Japan and other bellicose forces. If the enemies ignite a war eventually, the Korean army and people will mercilessly wipe out the aggressors and give vent to the deep-rooted grudge of the nation.

Sort of reads like the Hamas Covenant - another document which uses grandiose terms like "bellicose" and "army" and "the right to". The common thread between North Korea and Hamas? They're both godless cultures with primitive killer instincts.