The officials made their argument prior to the launching of the first Taepodong-2 missile, but considering the North's preparations to launch a second missile, the plan is no less valid today.
Mike Allen and Romesh Ratnesar of Time Magazine, however, cast serious doubt on the notion that President Bush has any plans to engage the North militarily. Indeed, the title of their feature article speaks volumes: "The End of Cowboy Diplomacy."
The authors note that the days of President Bush's "zero tolerance warnings" are long gone, only to be replaced by appeals for diplomatic solutions. His new approach is all the more baffling, considering that the Bush Doctrine has long advocated a policy of preemption through military means.
While some Americans may favor President Bush's new approach to resolving international conflicts, others will rightly recognize the inherent deficiencies of altering his foreign policy approach this late in the game. Indeed, Iran is closely monitoring the US response to the North's "provocations," the term used by the Bush Administration to downplay the current crisis.
More importantly, no US President should stand by while an overtly hostile enemy regime has made preparations to launch a missile that is capable of reaching US soil.
The President's continued refusal to take action against the North poses a grave danger to US citizens and leaves me to question his ability to lead our nation.
Article comments
1 - JP
If this is the first thing that "leaves me to question his ability to lead our nation," join the club.
2 - JustOneMan
So Dr...do you think the military should have a section in the NYT that would give a daily update on our "covert" and secret actions?
I have to belive if this was a REAL threat we would have blown it upo while still in the launch pad...
Dont let your anti-Bush view of the world get in the way of reality....remember its another cold war...
3 - Bliffle
Bush blew his wad on the unnecessary and useless war in Iraq. How stupid.
4 - Peter J
It doesn't matter if the launch was an idle threat. Bush caught his little dick in his zipper again with one of his 'Bring it on' stances.
Only a fool issues a warning he's not willing to back up.
5 - JustOneMan
You 2 guys Barfle and Pud...are pathetic...if he did blow it up you would be whining that he is a war monger...
Keep spiting up more nonsense from Howard Deans DNC playbook...it does sound pretty pathetic
6 - Ray Ellis
Ever notice how JustOneMan spits and sputters a great deal, but never says anything?
7 - Peter J
Ignore him, He'll go away
8 - Maurice
"Ironically, President Bush's new-found respect for multilateral negotiations could not have come at a worst time. Rather than take the action needed to neutralize the North's ever more threatening posture, the president has appealed to the United Nations in order to diffuse the crisis. Apparently, the president overlooked the fact that passing a legitimate resolution in the UN is like passing a kidney stone " it's slow, painful and generally unsuccessful."
Great writing. You haven't plagiarized I hope.
9 - Dr Politico
Maurice,
"Great writing. You haven't plagiarized I hope."
Thanks and never.
10 - Bliffle
This situation illustrates the failing of a strong president (or dictator): Every decision MUST go thru him, even relatively small decisions. He is The Decider. Any Pretenders to Decidership are punished and consequently initiative dies in a CYA environment. But The Decider has neither bandwidth nor knowledge adequate to handle all the inputs he has and all the decisions he MUST make. Ultimately, chaos develops.
11 - Peter J
If Bush keeps drawing lines in the sand we're going to wind up in the ocean.
It's embarrassing to acknowledge his office.
12 - JR
Ironically, President Bush's new-found respect for multilateral negotiations could not have come at a worst time.
Shouldn't that be "worse"?
13 - Dr Politico
JR,
"Shouldn't that be "worse"?"
Actually, "worst" functions as an adjective as well as a noun and adverb.
Still, I meant to use "worse," but oversights will occur during proofreading. I hope I haven't offended you too much.
14 - JustOneMan
WARNING WARNING
Editor...just because you dont agree with someones response or defense of a position allows you to edit amd or eliminate their posts
So how much is the DNC paying you guys? hmmmm Based upon the level of posters in here they are not getting their monies worth...in addition your supposed to make the left louie Dems looks smart and enlightend...based upon what I am reading in the above posts you are allowing them to sound like the bunch of pathetic Dumbocrats who throw stones but offer no solutions...thats no way to win elections...
keep up the good work!