Credit: Steve Schirra

North Korea Dictator Kim Jong Il loves American movies, but he hates American foreign policy. I can’t say I’m a big fan of either one, especially our war on terror or Pirates of the Caribbean 2. Yet, the man who has the same hairdo my great grandma did when she was alive can still incite fear.

North Korea’s nuclear weapon test on Oct. 9 shocked much of the international community. But when dealing with Kim Jong Il nothing should come as a surprise. He is volatile and irrational. And as the self-appointed international police, the United States is leading the fight to put an end to North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. There are two things we need to remember: It’s hard to argue with the ignorant, and it’s even harder to negotiate with the insane.

While the future of the entire Middle East seems to be placed on Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s shoulders, she now has to deal with the incompetent North Korean diplomats. When fighting broke out between Israel and Lebanon, the United States sent Rice. And now, with North Korea’s nuclear testing, Rice is the only one up for the job. She might be scary, but Condi Rice sure knows her stuff, and she will be the savior the United States is looking for.

With the possibility of another nuclear test looming, the United States needs to make sure this is all done right. We are working with the United Nations, and we have enlisted the assistance of China. These are steps in the right direction. Everything should be done by working with all of the parties affected – not just our country.

The United States needs to hit North Korea where it hurts the most. Economic sanctions will be effective in the long run, but we need to wipe out Kim Jong Il’s supply of western movies to really make him stop and think. North Korea’s people have been starving for a long time and taking away supplies from the nation will only hurt the people.

North Korea claims to have intercontinental ballistic missiles that reach the United States. During the test of these missiles, North Korea couldn’t even control where these missiles were going to land. They would barely be able to hit Japan, let alone the United States. North Korea’s nuclear program is likely to repeat the pattern taken by the missiles.

Continuing with the six-party talks with North and South Korea, Japan, China and Russia won’t be a bad thing. These talks will do a lot for the United States’ image. The sanctions will be more effective, but they need time to work. We just need to put on a happy face and head to the negotiation table.

Jen Steer is a junior broadcast news major and columnist for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact her at [email protected].