# North Korea suspending missile testing and closing nuclear site; Trump the statesman? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 20, 2018, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829 "2018-04-20T23:09:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/61 "2018-04-24T12:15:26Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Am I missing something here, or is this good news? Do you believe them? Even if NK is telling the truth, they can resume at a moment’s notice. And by getting talks with POTUS - even if it is Trump - NK has scored a significant diplomatic victory. Only time will tell. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/62 "2018-04-24T13:44:54Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Do you believe them? … Yeah, nuke and missile tests are easy to detect, so I suspect they actually are telling the truth about suspending them, at least for now. Obviously that’s only one modest step in a process that the USA hopes will eventually lead to complete denuclearization, but it does appear to be a step in the right direction. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/63 "2018-04-24T14:08:31Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > Not even Trump could be this fucking stupid, right? [Josh Marshall came up with “Trump’s Razor”](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-scythian-slice-of-trump-s-razor) back in the summer of 2016: > [@](#): > > According to Trump’s Razor: “ascertain the stupidest possible scenario that can be reconciled with the available facts” and that answer is likely correct. Trump’s Razor says that the likeliest explanation is that he was in fact this stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/64 "2018-04-24T14:20:26Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Yeah, nuke and missile tests are easy to detect, so I suspect they actually are telling the truth about suspending them, at least for now. Obviously that’s only one modest step in a process that the USA hopes will eventually lead to complete denuclearization, but it does appear to be a step in the right direction. I’m afraid trump believes horseshit like that too. Denuclearization in a world where the US won’t talk about Israel’s nuclear program, but will about NKs? See the [Vela incident, 9/22/79.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vela_Incident) ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/65 "2018-04-24T14:54:38Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Yeah, nuke and missile tests are easy to detect Well yes, but what about the work-ups to the tests? Have, for instance, they stopped production of nuclear materials? What about rocket parts? ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/66 "2018-04-24T17:29:50Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > [source](http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/04/20/north-korea-announces-end-to-missile-testing-as-trump-cites-big-progress.html) > > I’m rather pleasantly surprised with the progress Trump has made on the North Korean front. This appears, at least to me, to be the most significant progress towards denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula that has made in the last couple of decades. Am I missing something here, or is this good news? I’ll wait to be impressed when they denuclearize without having to send them tons of money and/or remove our troops from S Korea. In other words, the “deal” is, you denuclearize and we’ll let you stay leader of your pissant country. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/67 "2018-04-24T17:35:12Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > I’ll wait to be impressed when they denuclearize without having to send them tons of money and/or remove our troops from S Korea. > > In other words, the “deal” is, you denuclearize and we’ll let you stay leader of your pissant country. When you build the nukes in order to ensure that your regime is not toppled by foreign interests, you don’t give them up. Kim will not give them up, denuclearization will never happen. Anyone who thinks that this is in the cards will be disappointed. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/68 "2018-04-24T17:44:19Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > I’ll wait to be impressed when they denuclearize without having to send them tons of money and/or remove our troops from S Korea. > > In other words, the “deal” is, you denuclearize and we’ll let you stay leader of your pissant country. Do you really think the U.S. is the one in charge of who gets to be leader in N Korea? That’s some breathtaking arrogance. The U.S. can lead sanctions and other diplomatic angles of attack but they aren’t remotely in a position to decide on a regime change. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/69 "2018-04-24T18:28:41Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Do you really think the U.S. is the one in charge of who gets to be leader in N Korea? That’s some breathtaking arrogance. The U.S. can lead sanctions and other diplomatic angles of attack but they aren’t remotely in a position to decide on a regime change. Nope, I don’t think that. I also don’t think anything of substance is going to come of this exchange, other than a photo op for Kim to legitimize himself as a world leader. They’ve already got the bomb. They’ve already got an ICBM that is a reasonable threat to the US. There as big a threat as they’ve ever been. So, saying they won’t test or detonate if we (insert random capitulation here) is just more of the same. A joke. A joke that will last maybe a few years until they rinse and repeat and do it again, same as before. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/70 "2018-04-24T18:29:20Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > When you build the nukes in order to ensure that your regime is not toppled by foreign interests, you don’t give them up. Kim will not give them up, denuclearization will never happen. Anyone who thinks that this is in the cards will be disappointed. This is exactly what will happen, meanwhile the administration will tell everyone who will listen that they have removed the nuclear threat from the Korean peninsula. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/71 "2018-04-24T19:04:09Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Sharp knees. Would not bang. No, they’d click. [Who’ll take the woman with the skinny legs?](https://youtu.be/lSt6PmQoNn8) I will. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/72 "2018-04-24T19:06:08Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > Nope, I don’t think that. I also don’t think anything of substance is going to come of this exchange, other than a photo op for Kim to legitimize himself as a world leader. > > They’ve already got the bomb. They’ve already got an ICBM that is a reasonable threat to the US. There as big a threat as they’ve ever been. > > So, saying they won’t test or detonate if we (insert random capitulation here) is just more of the same. A joke. A joke that will last maybe a few years until they rinse and repeat and do it again, same as before. None of this explains why you said “In other words, the “deal” is, you denuclearize and we’ll let you stay leader of your pissant country.” ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/73 "2018-04-24T19:24:53Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > None of this explains why you said “In other words, the “deal” is, you denuclearize and we’ll let you stay leader of your pissant country.” My point is, Trump goes in with brass balls or not at all. We can, and have, made regime changes. Some overtly, some covertly. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/74 "2018-04-24T19:30:00Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > I’m afraid trump believes horseshit like that too. … So you think it’s … what, exactly? A step in the _wrong_ direction? The world was a better place when North Korea was regularly launching missiles over Japan? I think your hatred for Trump has blinded you to reality. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/75 "2018-04-24T19:54:05Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > My point is, Trump goes in with brass balls or not at all. > > We can, and have, made regime changes. Some overtly, some covertly. Too bad he can’t go in with a brain. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/76 "2018-04-24T20:25:17Z")
It won’t be him who goes in, either. None of his family members, for that matter. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/77 "2018-04-24T20:39:12Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > So you think it’s … what, exactly? A step in the _wrong_ direction? The world was a better place when North Korea was regularly launching missiles over Japan? I think your hatred for Trump has blinded you to reality. By your definition, a school shooter who stops to reload is making a “step in the right direction”. Sorry, once you’ve passed a certain line, whatever small feints back toward the line no longer count. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/78 "2018-04-24T20:42:18Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > So you think it’s … what, exactly? A step in the _wrong_ direction? The world was a better place when North Korea was regularly launching missiles over Japan? I think your hatred for Trump has blinded you to reality. Those missiles will be repainted with DPRK Space Exploration on their side, and then shot over Japan. I don’t hate trump, I just fear that he’s incapable of doing anything unless it involves a tantrum, a cookie and a hooker peeing on him. And, as long as she’s over 18, I’m perfectly happy if he spends the next 2 years “in the shower.” ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/79 "2018-04-24T20:45:37Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > By your definition, a school shooter who stops to reload is making a “step in the right direction”. Sorry, once you’ve passed a certain line, whatever small feints back toward the line no longer count. I’m not claiming the “small feint” absolves them of past misdeeds, or means they deserve our unqualified trust in the matter, but it seems obvious to me that it’s an improvement, like when a school shooter drops his weapon and throws up his hands, signaling his surrender to law enforcement. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829/80 "2018-04-24T20:47:09Z")
Which is not at all, like not even close at all, to what Kim is now doing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-suspending-missile-testing-and-closing-nuclear-site-trump-the-statesman/812829.md?page=5)