Tora! Tora! Tora!

I expected this. I knew that the national leadership would propose a pre-emptive strike against North Korea. As you know, North Korea recently test-fired missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads, and it was only a matter of time before the national leadership proposed bombing the North Koreans without warning.

But the national leadership of Japan?

Japan said today it was discussing whether the country ought to take steps to better defend itself, including a proposal to allow Tokyo to launch a pre-emptive strike against Pyongyang's missile sites as an act of self defense. The Japanese constitution forbids the use of force in settling international disputes and prohibits the government from maintaining a military force capable of waging warfare. Tokyo has interpreted this prohibition to mean it can have armed troops to protect itself, allowing the existence of its 240,000-strong Self-Defense Forces. "If we accept that there is no other option to prevent an attack, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said, "there is the view that attacking the launch base of the guided missiles is within the constitutional right of self-defense. We need to deepen discussion."

Deepen this, Chiefie baby. Your country doesn't have any offensive weapons that could reach North Korea. Your army is pitifully small, and the idea of you going against North Korea is like a middle-aged, out-of-shape Joe Louis fighting a young, svelte, fit Muhammad Ali in the boxing ring. Get the picture? Negotiation is the only why out for Japan and everyone else involved. Who gave you the idea that you could launch a pre-emptive strike on another country, anyway?

Oh . . . right . . ..

You're a rotten influence on this planet, Mr. Bush! :-O