North Korean Shakedown

"Shakedown" was the first word which came to mind when I read this:

A North Korean official said the United States should agree to hold direct talks with his government on security guarantees to avert a situation in which Pyongyang would feel compelled to launch nuclear-armed missiles, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported today.

In other words, the Norks are saying "give us a bribe and we won't threaten anymore nuclear tests, except we will". This is why Democrats are so for direct talks as they are so used to being shaken down by people in their party, as this is why Kim has ( apparently) nukes today, because of Clinton and Carter.

Bush is taking the correct path: the key to North Korea is through China, who seems to have enough themselves of their neighbor's arrogance. Add to this South Korea and Japan putting pressure on the rogue state and the dictators haven't a chance.