Demanding attention

Mark Davis says, "When it's time to purge the world of an intolerable cancer, things can get violent. The toll is worth it against the unacceptable status quo." Doesn't that just evoke an image of a little boy hiding behind his mother's apron, knowing that he himself is safe, hurling insults at playmates?

President Bush says, "The United States affirmed that we have no nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula. We affirmed that we have no intention of attacking North Korea." The President is trying to keep the crisis from spiraling out of control. Compared to Mark Davis, President Bush looks like the grownup. That's not a small accomplishment. Maybe that was Mr Davis' goal.

But it makes you wonder why President Bush didn't extract any concessions from North Korea for making such a commitment. Maybe because he's not talking to North Korea. Or maybe because he withdrew the commitment in the same press conference. President Bush went on to say that the US "reserves all options to defend our friends in the region." Iraq showed how loosely President Bush defines "defend", including pre-emptive attack. All clear? Ambiguous, even contradictory, talk is a dangerous tactic in a game of nuclear brinkmanship. Maybe as dangerous as Mark Davis' saber rattling. Anyone else worried whether our team captain is up to the job?