NORTH KOREA, UNPUNISHED, SHOWS ITS CRUELTY - AT 7:26 A.M. ET:

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea on Monday sentenced two American journalists to 12 years of hard labor in a case widely seen as a test of how far the isolated Communist state was willing to take its confrontation with the United States.

The Central Court, the North’s highest court, held the trial of the two Americans, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, from Thursday to Monday and convicted them of “committing hostilities against the Korean nation and illegal entry,” the North’s official news agency, KCNA, said in a report monitored in Seoul.

COMMENT:  When a country acts as North Korea has, and there are no consequences, this is what happens.  Now the foreign-policy "sophisticates" will undoubtedly rush to microphones to tell us that these women are "bargaining chips," and releasing them now becomes a "delicate matter."  I'm sure that will thrill them and their families...and their country.

The New York Times reports this:

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration signaled Sunday that it was seeking a way to interdict, possibly with China’s help, North Korean sea and air shipments suspected of carrying weapons or nuclear technology.

The administration also said it was examining whether there was a legal basis to reverse former President George W. Bush’s decision last year to remove the North from a list of states that sponsor terrorism.

Oh, they must be shaking in North Korea.  More "seeking."  More "examining."  In the White House the pants knees are getting a shine from all that kneeling, as the policy wonks pray that Americans will forget the latest outrage in two days.

North Korea apparently believes it can do anything it wishes, with the White House occupied by The One.  It's time for The One to prove North Korea wrong, but I fear he won't, that once again we'll make a "tough but positive" speech at the UN.  And now North Korea has American hostages, who can be threatened with death.

As Laurel and Hardy used to say, a fine mess.  And it can't be blamed on Bush, although the attempt will be made.

Time for results.

June 8, 2009