"The North Korean Threat" Topic

North Korea could be a much bigger threat to the US than most Americans realize:

link

A scary scenario.

The Norks still not only have to deal with the ROKs, and the US. But other in the region or otherwise may come to "assist" like in '50. Of course the PRC may have to step in make sure there will not be another 1950 scenario. But this time to stop Un & company make a big "mistake". And the PRC may be in the "fallout", like the flood of Nork refugees trying to cross the Yalu etc., into China …

Not to mention, no one want's to deal literally with Nuc fallout in the region. Including the PRC, if Un goes nuclear and even if the US does not respond in kind.

I dunno. This all sounds impossibly apocalyptic. I remember phrases like this quote: "The immediate effects would be withering: planes in flight would start falling from the skies. Chemical plants that control hazardous materials would no longer be controlled, imperiling all who live nearby as their computerized technology fails. Most cars built after 1974 would lose power. Trains, especially those operating on electrified tracks, would come to a halt. Tens of thousands would be stuck in elevators nationwide." -- being tossed around about the Y2K Bug, remember that panic?

Apart from realistic concerns, I question the wisdom of allowing our technology to have its hands around our collective throat in any event. It's a mistake to become that dependent on microchips or other digital systems with no backup for emergencies. Jeez, there WAS life and civilization pre-computerization. Maybe it's not a bad thing to think about slowing our headlong rush into a future of self-promoted societal collapse.

It sounds impossible, but there is a lot of truth to it. Thing are so computerized now. I purchased a van a few years that was mechanically sound, but the computer was having serious problems. It was so bad that the thing just wouldn't/couldn't turn over. Everything else was just fine though. It drove me and the mechanic crazy. I finally cut my losses and purchased a new vehicle.

So yeah, I can see an EMP totally screwing us up. I with you. I think it is insanity that we've become so dependant on computers. However that is the reality of the situation. Go check out this book:

link

It's a great novel, and a sobering look at this possibility.

Sounds like it's worth a read, all right! Thanks for the tip.

I hate computers, and I confess it proudly. If I could throw a wooden shoe big enough to break every computer in the world -- without triggering this global apocalypse -- I'd do it. I can't think of anything in my immediate life that computers haven't made more difficult, expensive, frustrating -- I feel like I'm treated as a second-class citizen already because I refuse to become a silicon chip, I don't own a smart phone, and I refuse to buy a new computer to wrestle with every year. It's insane, all this chasing-your-tail your whole life. If you're old enough to remember living without the daily demands of computers, you realize that life was simpler and there was more time for other things that mattered.

Yes, I know, TMP is wonderful and word processing (in theory) is better than typewriters, the medical arts have advanced amazingly, and we've been to outer space -- but my God, the trade-offs we have made and are continuing to make. Privacy, security, employment, social cohesion…

… but this is straying badly off-topic and into the Rants n Ravings board, so that's enough from old man grumpus.

On the positive side, after armageddon there will be a demand for people like us wargamers who understand the concepts and theories of pre-industrial warfare. And can shoot a bow.

If The Norks have such a weapon then surely the ruskies and Chinese do too.
So why does the article only mention N. Korea – which is arguably much more vulnerable to a good slapping from the U.S. if things go 'tits up'
The strong suggestion is the Russia and China are going to go for world domination the old fashioned and rather messy battlefield/conquest of territory way, whereas those inscrutable Norks have hit upon a brilliant relatively cheap and risk free way to destroy he US.
It makes no real sense, and of course is entirely un- provable.

This is far worse than the Y2K non-issue.

I think they mention it because the North Korean leader seems to be a bit more unstable than others, though with Putin, one does sometimes wonder.

Iran, when they perfect their ballistic missiles, which it was just announced they were given a side deal on, will be another major worry too, since their leaders want to bring on the "end of days", supposedly.

Oh brother….

EMP… SUPER EMP… SUPER DUPER EMP…

Most of this over hyped crap is put out by people who have no clue about the science to a public that is even more clueless about the science (and that's about, oh, 99.99% of the public…).

Some years back, a lab did some tests to see the impact of EMP on various cars and trucks. They put in a chamber various cars and trucks (running and not) and let off a EMP generator (one capable of simulating a good sized H-bomb, bigger, in fact, than any of the bombs the Norks have). The results? Not much. The overwhelming majority came through with little damage (and that was to the radios! Which could be a bummer if you spent a couple of K on your sound system). The cars kept running or started right up. Why? Its called a Faraday Cage. The metal body absorbs and dampens the pulse to nothing. And the same is true of any heavily grounded power stations, pumping stations, computer centers, aircraft, steel framed building, etc….

So "the EMP is coming, the EMP is coming!" crap is just that, CRAP.

Oh, one "good" thing about EMP: it is a good way for think tanks to get a gullible public to shell out tax dollars for one more idiot study…. And harebrained pseudo news sites to generate hits…

Here's another thing to add to the "EMP Attack":

ALL US military comm re: the nuclear response system is EMP shielded (what level is kinda secret). And the comm to all nuke sites and subs would still be active after such an attack. So if the Norks pulled such an idiotic stunt the immediate and complete response would be the total annihilation of North Korea under a veritable solid cloud of instant sunshine. I'm pretty sure THAT has been made abundantly clear to them (if not by us, then by the Chinese). So unless they're completely suicidal (and 'Lil Kim' (aka the only fat guy in North Korea) loves his perks far too much for that), I think we can file this "threat" under "Not Likely".

There was a major power outage decades ago, back on the East Coast, and/or Canada, which fried a lot of equipment, so it is a real threat.

Well, that is nice, but what about the water purification and waste recycling stations, and the local ATMs, etc., etc.?

While, revenge would be appreciated, that will probably be little comfort to millions, or tens of millions without power, water, food, etc., etc..

I saw in report on CNN today. That US military and intel agencies rate Un & the Norks as the #1 Threat at this time. Which makes sense to me as he not only has nucs but is very "unstable". His actions could destabilize the region if he goes beyond just sabre rattling, etc. … And China may not have as much influence on Un as some believe, IMO …

Daesh comes in #2. As I guess they don't approve of islamists like Daesh, AQ, etc. killing/murdering US, Euro, Western, civilians. In our streets because we don't believe as they do, etc., …

Putin came in #3.

And Iran was not mentioned. But I'd imagine that is because at this time they don't have nucs. But will sooner than later. So I'd add them as #4, IMO …

There was a major power outage decades ago, back on the East Coast, and/or Canada, which fried a lot of equipment, so it is a real threat.

And, IIRC, the Northeast survived. No untold millions died. Oh, the one lasting effect was a spike in births nine months later (had to do something in the dark…).

As for the other effects (some known, some not): Well, you would be in the middle of a NUCLEAR WAR. Its going to be a little more vexing than a local blackout (wars tend to be that way). So between fallout, radiation poisoning and, yes, EMP things are going to be tough.

And Iran was not mentioned. But I'd imagine that is because at this time they don't have nucs. But will sooner than later.

Sad but true. Physics knows no national boundaries. And the physics and technology of building 'the bomb' aren't that hard.

And when Iran gets nucs … that could be a game changer. But those in the West that facilitated this error. Won't be anywhere to be found …