THE SENATE GOES TO THE WHITE HOUSE?

A great deal more talk about this event with the folks outside the US, then in the US. In the US the story-line on CNN is once again something along the lines of how bad The Donald has messed up today. New day, same story from CNN. It’s the new version of the old FOX news flashback from the Obama's days. Okay. Back on topic! So, the story goes, the entire US Senate has been invited to the White House for a briefing on the events in North Korea. The US Vice President canceled part of his Asian Tour to attend the briefing. The Donald spoke to China and Japan on Sunday and the topic was North Korea.

Side note: It makes the press that the US President spoke with Japanese and Chinese Leadership, but no mention of South Korea? Interesting, at least to those who truly believe something is taking place out of the ordinary.

As I stated, this story has generated a great deal more attention outside the US than in the US, at least right now.  I even read a story today about how nuclear shelters and air purifiers were sold out in Japan. Is the world more concerned about North Korea than the people in the US? The Chinese have advised their citizens to not travel to North or South Korea. What does that make the rest of Asia think? It surly seems like the rest of the world is more worried about North Korea than Joe Six-pack in the US. Should they be?

The Brief:

Every member of the US Senate has a clearance, but telling every member of the US House a “secret” is like telling the school gossip you’re pregnant. Two parties, one that is trying to get along with the new President and the other who challenges him on every topic. It may be very difficult to get the President’s point across. Just what is it, the President is going to brief the Senate? That’s the question being asked by the Chinese, Russian, Japanese and yes…. The South Koreans. Here is a hint. Getting a message from the US President, given the political climate DC is in right now, with the hope of obtaining some level of support for some list of options, well, that’s a tall order. The best way to sell a hard message is to let those who have respect on the topic give the pitch. How important do you try to make the pitch? Well, you make sure the US Vice President is there when it’s given, even if that means interrupting a trip.  What do you show the Senate to convince them to listen to your list of options? You show them something they didn’t know and you show them something that will scare the hell out of them. Do they collectively believe the President’s Pitchmen? Probably not! Party politics in the US seems to be more important than national survival. When the briefing is completed, then what? Does the US President hold a press conference? What is the message? What level of unity does the President of the United States hope to show?

How unusual is this unusual event?

Short answer. It’s unusual enough to make other countries nervous and that is all that matters. Here is the question everyone overseas is asking and people in the US may start asking on Tuesday. Is the US President looking for Senate support for military action? Is the President conforming to what just about every member of the Congress and the Senate believe; the US President needs their support prior to taking military action? Now, before you jump to conclusions and say, “Trump would never do that….it’s his right to take action if he sees fit……. He is the Commander in Chief”! I would agree that the US President would not subjugate his or her authority, unless…..unless….. the action the military experts are going to brief are far more damaging to the US and the region than the typical unilateral action by a US President. Attacking, even in joint adventure with Japan and South Korea or even China, would bring on massive destruction and death. Death in large numbers and in a very short period of time that far exceeds anything that has outraged the world in Syria.

If the idea of the briefing is seen as “unusual”, just how “unusual” might the options be?

What is the purpose?

The US President is not asking for support to go to war. The US President is trying to show the Senate just how dangerous the events in North Korea have become. Is the purpose of the brief twofold? Yes, I believe it is. Just imagine the tension the conversation between the Dragon and the Tsar. “What is The Donald doing? What is he about to do?”

Pressure. One main goal of this advertised briefing is pressure. Pressure not on the North Korean Little Fat Man, but pressure on the Chinese. Pressure that continues to force them to take action on their own. Force them to do something before they only have the option of reacting to something already underway.

The Dangers of Perceptions:

How many countless times have I commented on the topic of perception! Put yourself in the shoes of the Little Fat Man in North Korea. This week you were stupid enough to in a roundabout way threaten the Dragon on its actions. Now, you find out the US President is have a very “unusual” meeting at the White House and you are the topic of conversation. Oh, and think about this. This is taking place after the US President has just held a conversation with Japan and China. Placing even more pressure on the Dragon. Is that going to work? Is that what this meeting is really all about? Unity of effort will not be the end result of this briefing. The two political parties in the US simply are not professional enough anymore to stand together and her enemies know it. After this briefing is completed, it will be interesting to see which Senators rush to the news podium and once again, impact the perception process taking place in the rest of the world.  

This story may not rank up there with The Donald’s Tax Plan, but something tells me after this brief is over, the reactions by those sprinting to the podium and those leaders overseas will set other gears in motion.

Telling over 100 politicians a “Secret”, that’s one way to get the world out! They will make Snowden look like an amateur. They might has well invited Lily Tomlin!!!!!

Last, but not least...................    http://www.atimes.com/article/global-times-china-accept-surgical-strike-north-korea/