Hi Gino,

Yes, I totally agree with everything you posted.  Interestingly enough, this morning news practically quoted me (Drudge Report) when it said we were "toning down the rhetoric".  Yes, we must do these things (per Tom's great post on the reasons), but as you say, N.K. will see it as provocation.  .   .   .  AND WE KNOW THEY WILL.  So, are TPTB using this as a way to push us over the cliff?  Could we have responded differently (I really don't know).  It all seems just to "coincidental" and as in any chess game, we should be thinking 7 moves ahead.  Thank you for your thoughtful  response.

Melissa C.