# Should I be worried about NK nuking me? Also Trump... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 8, 2017, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126 "2017-08-08T19:19:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/1 "2017-08-08T19:19:12Z")
Their threats are getting dire. Have we let them get too far along in their nuke program? If things do go sideways is Trump smart enough to lead us in war? CNN link: [https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2017/07/25/politics/north-korea-threatens-nuclear-strike-us/index.html](https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2017/07/25/politics/north-korea-threatens-nuclear-strike-us/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/2 "2017-08-08T20:06:38Z")
Trump threatens back: [http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/08/politics/north-korea-missile-ready-nuclear-weapons/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/08/politics/north-korea-missile-ready-nuclear-weapons/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/3 "2017-08-08T20:26:24Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Their threats are getting dire. Have we let them get too far along in their nuke program? > > If things do go sideways is Trump smart enough to lead us in war? > > CNN link: [North Korea threatens nuclear strike on US - CNNPolitics](https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2017/07/25/politics/north-korea-threatens-nuclear-strike-us/index.html) If the North Korean regime actually does have suicidal tendencies, and if NK indeed has a usable missile-launched weapon, and if you live in a major metropolitan area in the western part of the USA, than yes, maybe you should be a bit worried. I think the far greater danger is a US pre-emptive strike (whether nuclear or conventional) on NK. It seems the temptation to do so before NK has more than a few missile-launched weapons becomes increasingly likely. Or, perhaps some impromptu saber-rattling goes wrong, and one side, say, sinks one of the other’s naval vessels, resulting in escalating reprisals. In either case, I have little confidence that there are sufficient cooler heads on either side to prevail. I guess I’ve also answered your second question with the above. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/4 "2017-08-08T20:26:58Z")
It’s the “Fire & Fury” super-villain cage match, battle royal. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/5 "2017-08-08T20:59:17Z")
If NK launches a nuke against us or against Seoul, the only response is to flatten them into glass. Trump would do it, Hillary would have done it, probably even Sanders would have. It won’t happen, since Kim’s back isn’t against the wall just yet. He is posturing, as is Trump. We are not quite at the MAD stage with North Korea, since they can’t destroy us, but we can destroy them, and we would. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/6 "2017-08-08T21:02:56Z")
The last thing most dictators-for-life want is total annihilation. I think this is all about bargaining chips, and totally isolating NK just backs them into a corner. If NK launches a nuke at us or one of our close allies their country will be wiped off the face of the earth in a few hours. Problem solved. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/7 "2017-08-08T21:10:22Z")
I wouldn’t worry about North Korea. They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/8 "2017-08-08T21:16:02Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I wouldn’t worry about North Korea. > > They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance. _look around at the size of Chicago_ …that may have been less comforting than you meant it to be. ETA: Oh wait, is that a John Sedgwick quote. Even less comforting! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/9 "2017-08-08T21:19:28Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > ETA: Oh wait, is that a John Sedgwick quote. Even less comforting! 😉😛 . ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/10 "2017-08-08T21:37:25Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I wouldn’t worry about North Korea. > > They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance. Was that a fat joke aimed at the OP?🙂 ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/11 "2017-08-08T22:02:50Z")
No, OP, you should not worry about Lil’ Kim’s nuclear arsenal. You should be more worried about getting hit by a bus. Or struck by lightning. Or getting struck by lightning while being hit by a bus. Get some proportion. There’s an entire world out to get you, and a tinpot Stalin-wannabe is waaaay down the list of likely effective candidates. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/12 "2017-08-08T22:04:26Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Was that a fat joke aimed at the OP?🙂 I don’t think Sedgwick was fat. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/13 "2017-08-08T22:05:43Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > No, OP, you should not worry about Lil’ Kim’s nuclear arsenal. > > You should be more worried about getting hit by a bus. Or struck by lightning. Or getting struck by lightning while being hit by a bus. [Or put another way…](http://www.tonykieraldo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/alfred-e-neuman.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/14 "2017-08-08T22:08:41Z")
I agree. It’s just saber rattling … posturing … between two nuclear-armed lunatic bullies. No reason to worry. I’m 85% sure they’ll act rationally. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/15 "2017-08-08T22:50:14Z")
Sorry, didn’t see this thread. CNBC: N Korea Seriously considering (nuclear) strike on Guam. Story here: [North Korea seriously considering strike on Guam, state media outlet says](https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2017/08/08/north-korea-seriously-considering-strike-on-guam-reports-citing-state-media.html) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/16 "2017-08-08T23:01:47Z")
How does one say:\* As soon as he bombs us, he’s dead\*, in Korean? ---
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/17 "2017-08-08T23:08:01Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > and if you live in a major metropolitan area in the western part of the USA, than yes, maybe you should be a bit worried. I think the ones who would need to be worried are South Korea and Japan. NK may have the range for a missile to reach the US, but the US still has the ability to shoot missiles down. If we got into an all-out nuclear war with say, Russia or China, there’d be too many missiles to shoot down, but NK only has a handful at most, which is exactly what our current missile defense systems are designed to counteract. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/18 "2017-08-09T00:46:14Z")
> [@magnusblitz](#): > > I think the ones who would need to be worried are South Korea and Japan. NK may have the range for a missile to reach the US, but the US still has the ability to shoot missiles down. If we got into an all-out nuclear war with say, Russia or China, there’d be too many missiles to shoot down, but NK only has a handful at most, which is exactly what our current missile defense systems are designed to counteract. Dear dog, I hope you don’t put too much faith and credit into that defense system. It’s not reassuringly reliable despite the billions that have been poured into it. [Our Defense Against ICBMs](https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/30/15713966/ballistic-missile-attack-department-of-defense-pentagon-north-korea). It’s basically been tested only in highly controlled environments and even then, effective only about half the time. As a citizen who lives in the west, I am not comforted. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/19 "2017-08-09T00:52:45Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > No, OP, you should not worry about Lil’ Kim’s nuclear arsenal. > > You should be more worried about getting hit by a bus. Or struck by lightning. Or getting struck by lightning while being hit by a bus. > > Get some proportion. There’s an entire world out to get you, and a tinpot Stalin-wannabe is waaaay down the list of likely effective candidates. Stalin didn’t have nukes. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2017, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126/20 "2017-08-09T01:00:48Z")
? Yes he did. Or did I miss the joke? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-nk-nuking-me-also-trump/793126.md?page=2)