As I said earlier, I doubt we do anything this time, just like a few weeks ago when the ROK’s lost that ship… This event has more coverage and is ‘strike 2′ and if the NORK’s pull some other BS in the near future, a ‘strike 3′ if you will, I’m afraid that Obama will think he has to do something even if it’s wrong.
I have little faith in the man’s ability to see global politics for what it is, and even smaller faith in his choice of advisers that would mitigate that deficiency. A leader can’t do everything well, so surrounds him or herself with people that ‘fill the gaps’ in the leader’s ‘lacks’…our current POTUS, not so much. He’d rather have ‘fellow travelers’ and folks he owes hanging with him.
You are right, China does not want a bunch of Norks going north…I don’t think Rok has the balls anymore to do it on their own…we’ve been there for so long we’re part of the countryside (and it is a beautiful country-been there and have the t-shirt) If America doesn’t do anything, the Roks will throw back, but only what they’re given…not enough to chase the Norks north.
China is counting on this, and have an ace up their sleeve…all of the debt that they bought from America.
If Obama’s filled with hubris enough/stupid enough to ‘want to teach those Norks a lesson’ he will find out very quickly that China will dictate the terms of engagement. This would not be good for any of the 5 countries (plus Taiwan) involved plus a few others that are close…not to mention the depletion of American troops that would have to be yanked from Europe and here. Those folks are most on my mind…

I’ve celebrated my 10th birthday 5 times now…my whole family got together and got me one of those iPad doo-hickies.  I immediately downloaded iBooks, then went to Project Gutenberg to snag all of the titles/authors I recognized.  I like science-fiction (among other things) and here is where the “crux of the biscuit” comes in…

Before the writers like Robert A. Heinlein went over to fantasy that were still shelved in the sci-fi racks (Stranger in a Strange Land anyone?) There were the “older folks” like John W. Campbell that did “real” sci-fi.

It seems that the cut-off date was the early 60′s… Sci-fi went from a gumption, “We can do it! – through science and hard work!” attitude vis a vis “Islands of Space” to a navel-gazing “Stranger in a Strange Land” that while is a great piece of work, relies on feelings/miracles more than the wonders of technological achievement through logic.

I realize I make a weak argument for the title of this diary, as IOS was written for pre-pubescent boys for the most part, (as well as Stranger IMO) But what I’m seeing is a differential between world-views taken only a few years apart. (1956 and 1961 respectively)

But what a difference a few years made in the shaping of world-views…and what a difference a couple of days will make.  Now is not the time to sit down and read a book, now is the time to walk outside your front door, pull up your gumption, and just discuss Mathematics to your neighbors.  Discuss what you can Grok from the last 4 years of democratic control of the purse-strings.  Ask your neighbors if they are (or think they are) better off…

Just sayin…GOTV!

Now that Mr. McCain is past his primary, I wonder now to what’s to be done.
It’s pretty much general knowledge here that he’ll go back to his disgusting
habit of blowing kisses across the aisle after November 3rd.

Perhaps that will be so. Perhaps, being the political critter he is, he might see the winds that
are sweeping in Tea-Party conservatives and decide to form a new “Gang of XX”
within their camp. He could still lay claim to the “Maverick” handle then…
I know, wishful thinking on my part.

I keep going back to Vassar’s “When Mobs Descend”
and think that that’s a tool-set that would work on not only Mr. McCain, but
others of his ilk as well. If they were local politicians. National politicians
have other barricades not afforded the local ones. But I’m an ignorant Missouri
boy that thinks the tactics can be adjusted, I just don’t know how.

Shunning only works on a two-legged critter that wants to be part of the herd.
In his case, that would only work in AZ. And perhaps only in the election cycle.
Embarrassment works on pretty much any type of two-legged critter.

I’m reminded of one of John’s quotes: “Elections have consequences, my friend.”
It’s actually a corollary of “Actions have Consequences.”

My question is, how to make consequences for the actions of errant politicians
while they are still in office, and can still do more harm?

I only use Mr. McCain as an example, there are plenty more to choose from…

I just got off the phone with the Chair of the Lincoln County Committee GOP. We had a great conversation “feeling each other out” as to the depths of our respective political views, and what needs to be done with the Republican party. She’s not only aware of the Tea Partiers, but thinks they’re the next best thing to sliced bread. Doesn’t hurt that she also is active in my Church….and has a mini-tea party planned at church the weekend before the 4th of July.

This mini-tea party will have watermelon, hotdogs, a puppetshow doing patriotic-themed skits, a speaker from The WallBuilders site (Glenn Beck might have had him on as well) oh, and apple pie! Did I mention I like apple pie? <G>
Yes, I was impressed with her, and since she and I talked for close to an hour I think she was impressed with me as well.
AND! there’s a Committee man opening (since the previous guy didn’t re-file last February) in my precinct this August that the Committee itself votes on…I may have a pretty descent shot at the slot! Even though I didn’t file and go through the regular election proceedings (of which I still don’t know all the particulars)

I just want to thank VB and CW for their postings on this:

http://www.redstate.com/vassar/2010/06/04/citizens-with-the-bark-on-tripping-the-dark-fantastic/

Carol Wessel-Boyer is one of us “little people” that are gonna help the sea-change that is due our country! I look forward to meeting her in person this 27th of June.