Raptureready, I'd like to know where the Navy deployed their carriers? Do you have a link? Thanks.

Well, its Monday and we are all still here !

raptureready wrote: There are also topics on "USS Ronal Regan" and "Earthquakes" and Israel" and "Tikki Room"  etc.  Should those be removed also? How does drinking alcohol,reading about Israel or earthquakes help me with the BF???????

I read and considered your post a great deal. I suggested that perhaps an area be created for topics other than Avian Flu. Several times Albert has moved threads or combined threads to other areas. My opinion is that we face a great danger which we need to work together to prepare for and give moral support to each other in doing so.

Many of us post a great deal of news, as you have to try and make people aware and to give specific areas in the world where the news is not getting through,  a chance to get ready.

I think you need to reread what was written and consider it was written in the spirit of cooperation and mutual concern for the lives and safety of everyone.

This morning my wife and I discussed what a dangerous and stressful world we all live in. No doubt, there exists the potential for the complete extinction of our species, and that has existed for some time. It effects all of us.

There are many varied faiths around the world. Some of us have walked the path we have for a lifetime. We read and are concerned as horrific things happen, and savages wave their bones in the air across the river as in 2001, and eventually one savage, somehow enlightened, runs over and beats the other's head in and kills him.  So we have learned the art of war.

The voice of moderation is not always a popular voice. The voice of calm among those are deeply afraid and upset, does not always make one esteemed or befriended. Yet at the scene of a disaster, one must effectively watch people fall apart, completely lose their ability to think or function, with bodies all around, many whose lives cannot be saved, and shield oneself from the urge to panic, and step back and think clearly and with purpose.  It is then it is determined who will survive mentally and physically. One can call on strength from deep within or God in whatever form they believe, and find it.

No doubt we need those manning the watchtowers, watching for coming threats and danger. And no doubt their cries will always be loud and immediate. And although at times it seems the better way is to charge forward, sometimes it is best to gather our mental and physical resources for that which can truly destroy us.

I have noticed in this forum it is a place of news, comment, opinion, and friendship. It is impossible to work together and plan together without forming deep spiritual and emotional bonds especially in a time of crisis.

There is a great effort to frighten and terrorize the people of America. Just because Sunday was not the day, does not mean that day is not comiing. As a child we knelt under our desks shortly after Kennedy died, preparing for a nuclear strike from Russia which would destroy our country, which never came.

The moderator of this forum is very wise in the way in which he allows people, who in a sincere way, express not only news, but their opinions and concerns.

It is a long battle we are to face, and endurance and sometimes sleeping on, and contemplating our first reaction when we read things, is all that keeps us stable. The threat you spoke of is not gone. And those who guard and protect our country are ready to meet it when it comes again.

Take care, we are all in this - together.

and onward we go...what a fantastic forum of truly caring people.

Hi Rapture Ready,

Is this the article?  Hope I did this right. 

http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/international/ticker/detail/N_Korea_may_have_fuel_for_13_nuclear_weapons_study.html?siteSect=143&sid=6849696&cKey=1151365989000

By Carol Giacomo, Diplomatic Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - During President George W. Bush's administration, North Korea has gone from having enough plutonium for one or two nuclear weapons to having enough for as many as 13, a study released on Monday said.

It concluded that the reclusive communist state, whose threat to test a long-range ballistic missile has spread concern in Washington and in Asia, could have more than 17 such weapons by the time Bush leaves office in early 2009.

The study, authored by former U.N. weapons inspector David Albright, was based on analysis of satellite imagery indicating activity at the five megawatt nuclear reactor at Yongbyon, media reports and statements by North Korean officials.

It said Pyongyang probably did not have enough plutonium stock for its own deterrence and so is unlikely to sell it.

But if production continued at current levels, North Korea's cash-strapped leaders may decide in a "few years" that they have enough for their own use and can market the excess.

"We conclude that North Korea is estimated to now have enough separated plutonium to develop a credible nuclear arsenal, on the order of 4 to 13 nuclear weapons and similar in size to South Africa's nuclear weapons arsenal in the late 1980s at the height of its effort," Albright and co-author Paul Brannan said.

The Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), of which Albright is the president, issued the report.

It found that North Korea's 50 megawatt reactor, which is still being built, had had no significant construction activity in recent months. When finished the reactor would increase North Korea's plutonium production tenfold.

Washington officially maintains Pyongyang has plutonium for at least one or two weapons and U.S. officials unofficially have put that figure at as many as nine.

NUCLEAR WEAPONS

But Albright said "since the start of the Bush Administration and dissolution of the Agreed Framework, North Korea has gone from having enough separated plutonium for perhaps one or two nuclear weapons to enough for between 4 and 13 weapons. By the end of the Bush Administration, North Korea could have enough plutonium for 8 to 17 nuclear weapons."

The Agreed Framework, signed with the United States in 1994, committed Pyongyang to freeze its plutonium program in exchange for two light-water nuclear reactors and supplementary fuel oil supplies. The deal fell apart within two years of Bush taking office.

Key Senate Democrats, concerned along with some Republicans that Bush has ignored the threat posed by North Korea as he grappled with Iraq and Iran, have pressed the administration to declassify its current National Intelligence Estimate on Pyongyang's nuclear and missile capabilities so updated information can be shared with the public.

But on June 18, Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte denied the request, saying he would have to remove so much data to protect sources and methods as to render the unclassified version "meaningless."

It would also "risk alerting the North Korean regime to intelligence gaps in our understanding of their programs, activities, capabilities and intentions," Negroponte said in the letter obtained by Reuters.

In his report, Albright said little was known about the North's ability to make a nuclear weapon, "although it is assessed as likely able to build a crude nuclear warhead for its (medium-range) Nodong missile."

However, "there is little evidence to suggest that North Korea is capable of making a nuclear warhead light enough for the Taepodong-2 missile," the report said, referring to the long-range missile said by U.S. officials to be sitting on the North Korean launch pad waiting to be tested.

Reuters (IDS)

I also appreciate the information about NK.  Keep me in the loop if you hear anything from your friends husband.

Rapture you were right on the money!  

The last count was 10 missles that had been fired today, one a long range missle. I just saw this on Fox news.

Raptureready,

Thanks for the two week notice on North Korea. I would not have been watching the story evolve, had it not been for you initial report. Although it wasn't AI related, it was very significant. For that I am truly grateful. Your friend's husband was on the money and that gave me significant time to restock on water. As it turns out, I was not alone stocking up -- once the story broke a major water run took place in my local grocier. Keep up the good work!!