Why We're Not Worried About War with North Korea

Update 06-20-2018: Mr. Kim may be beginning to realize that Mr. Trump is no respecter of persons - he's equally faithless to everyone - and may (re)act to this realization with violence (like attracts like), so maybe it'll be North Korea after all, but they won't be alone.

Dennis Rodman started making a series of high-profile visits to North Korea in February 2013, between the filming and the airing of his second appearance on The Celebrity Apprentice. Both times on TCA, Mr. Rodman won nothing as Project Manager and was fired fairly early (after what most bosses would consider rather poor performances in most cases), but was continually praised by Mr. Trump for being a 'Great guy, terrific guy," etc., etc. ad nauseum. Mr. Rodman has befriended Mr. Kim and continues to travel back and forth despite his own declarations that next time he may not be able to come back. Mr. Trump is demonstrably loyal to few or none, although there are secrets he's happy to keep and praises he's happy to sing for as long as it's to his benefit to do so. Both are consummate showmen and know how to get an audience worked up. For what it's worth, Mr. Rodman is said to have been $800,000 in debt to his baby mama in 2012, broke and unable to pay, and he has aspirations to being seen as a diplomat.

Our theory is that Mr. Trump, Mr. Rodman, and Mr. Kim are working to create an impression that the US is in danger of war with North Korea, affording Mr. Trump the opportunity to engender tension with China, South Korea, and Iran, to swoop in at the last minute and 'save the day' with regard to North Korea while having created a need to keep troops in the Middle East, preferably at war. It's unlikely that Mr. Rodman will be given credit for his part in the scheme, unless a fall guy is needed for some aspect thereof.

To be clear, we have no particular objection to this course of action and find it somewhat amusing to watch all the actors play their parts. It's fascinating to contemplate whether folks who're taking (and losing) positions at the White House sign on knowing they'll be sacrificed at some point or if they really think they're 'trusted advisors' or valued Cabinet members, as well as the question of whether Mr. Trump would ever throw his own family members under the bus. If not, why not, and if so, how will they react? Would that restriction extend to current and former spouses? If so, does that also include his children's spouses? (One might think not.) As for us, we'll move forward as always and deal with whatever effects all this has on us personally as needed.

So we're not afraid of war with North Korea. Not to say there won't be a war but most likely not with Mr. Kim.

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