It really is time to get past the idea that Kim Il Sung is a lunatic. That kind of demonizing results in foolish policies which result in foolish decisions which take innocent lives. From his point of view he is acting rationally to protect his country from powerful, hostile forces. I haven't seen him do anything that's crazy.

It's tempting to characterize anyone with whom one disagrees as a "lunatic". A temptation which leads to one to think theirs is the only reality, that their self-interest should be everyone's self-interest, that they are the possessors of the One and Only Truth. The reality is that no one, well, hardly anyone, gives in to demands they change their behavior simply because someone demands it. That just stirs up patriotic resentments.

Why is North Korea on the screen right now? Pakistan is the Great Proliferator, with a proven track record and unrepentent attitude. Maybe because Pakistan has given in to unilateral American demands, and seen it's country driven toward civil war as it tries to carry out an unpopular American agenda.

Who's crazy? The guy who has immunized his country from American aggression or the folks who have turned their country inside out trying to fight America's war?

I think it is a great disservice to everyone to call the North Koreans lunatics. It's satisying, it's easy, it's simple and it's on the same level as saying that suicide bombers hate freedom, democracy and the American way of life. It's wrong, and it has prevented America from dealing positively with the matter.

Arf