The Seoul Times

This article is mostly about reckless journalism and the dire consequences this kind of irresponsible reporting has on the fragile peace we have now around the world. It is one thing to fight a war of words with a crazed leader like Chairman Kim Jong IL, but it is another to tell the world at large that The United States is planning a full-scale assault against the man and his country. This is journalism at its worse. I believe in the freedom of the press, with my whole heart I do, but not at the expense of our fighting forces which have a tough enough job to do as it is.

I am referencing to the article which I read on Friday, November 3rd 2006, posted to the Washington Times with the ‘by line' given to Bill Gertz; titled: U.S. SPEEDS UP ATTACK PLANS FOR NORTH KOREA.

I would like to say this article has spawned in me a thousand different questions. Like for instance; "Did you speak to anyone at the White House before you filed this story? or Did you email a copy of it to Chairman Kim Jong Il so he would be sure to read the story first hand?" These are just a few questions, which crossed my mind as I read the complete strategic battle plans for the North Korean assault.

As an ex-military man who served during the Viet Nam conflict, I know the importance of keeping our military agendas a secret. This article is criminal, what I am reading here borders on treason. The Pentagon, the White House and the author who penned this story should answer some pointed questions concerning the leaking of sensitive military information.

Don't try to muddy the waters by blowing this off to an in-consequential slip of the tongue; this is far more detailed than just a psyops ploy or a strategic piece of misinformation. There are, in all, at least four battle plans given with enough detail to alert the most bull headed general that the Americans are coming. Some of these plans will alert the opposing military and eliminate the element of surprise to the point that our brave fighters will be caught in the attack. I guess Chairman Kim is not as paranoid as we thought, America is coming and he had better get prepared. What! I said something out of turn, no; I guess the cat is truly out of the bag on this one.

Another thing, have we as Americans stopped negotiating for peace? Has the bargaining table been closed to the prevention of this kind of military behavior? Has our country become so caught up in saber rattling that we can't stop being aggressive no matter what the situation is?

What has happened to our diplomatic corps, do we need some new people in Washington D.C. who know how to sue for peace? Are all the diplomatic scholars working some place other than the White House?

Point is, I have seen nothing but irresponsible behavior on the part of our leaders when it comes to military excess, we have to stop this tragic loss of life and waste of money, we need to find a better way to work out our problems around the world. If you think peace is stupid, try living in a war torn country, try watching the children die in senseless conflicts. I guess America is already a war torn country aren't we? It is time for the American people to stand up, get rid of the warmongers, and declare that peace is our new foreign policy. Our leaders have crossed the line into insane behavior. Make the insanity stop. Military action should be the last resort, not the first thing we try.

Mr. Thomas Emmon Pisano, an electronics-engineer-turned professional writer, serves as US correspondent for The Seoul Times. A New Jersey native he has lived in California. He has started his writing career in 2003 and has authored four books including “No Murder Too Small” and Big Crimes Small Miracles.”