***Editor’s Note: Andy McGee is a Liberal Columnist for “The Thirsty Quill.” While Mr. McGee often writes insightful and thought-provoking articles for ‘The Quill,’ it is important for readers to note that his opinions and views are strictly his own, and rarely reflect the opinions and views of the pro-Conservative ideals of this site. As always, “The Thirsty Quill” greatly appreciates Andy’s participation and contributions.***

“North Korea: Is She A Threat To America In More Ways Than One?”

By: Andy McGee, Liberal Columnist

Man I love this Country.

I love the land, the people, the ideals, the hope, and the culture. It is hard for me to imagine our country in the weeks, months, and years that followed the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan. I struggle with imagining what Japanese-Americans must have gone through after their native homeland attacked the United States without warning. Even harder to imagine is how an unexpected attack from a rogue nation (such as North Korea) would be received today, in 2009.

As we approach the 59th anniversary of the Korean War, it seems as though the North Korean rhetoric is taking our nation to a polarizing place, light years removed from the hope, change, and diplomacy that our current administration is seeking to offer.

The Korean Central News Agency was recently quoted as saying, “If the U.S. imperialists start another war, the army and people of Korea will … wipe out the aggressors on the globe once and for all.” This is hardly a ‘warm welcome’ to the new ‘face’ of acceptance and change that most other countries are witnessing firsthand from the Obama administration.

It is so important that we acknowledge that America still stands as the ‘great mansion on a hill’ for many people. From all over the world, the poor and inspired come to our shores to drink from the mighty fountain of opportunity. They come to listen to the sounds, smell the smells, and yes, even sing the songs of liberty.

With that being the case, we must ask ourselves this: just how strong is our tolerance, and just how “American” do we, as a nation, consider our long-tenured, far traveled, immigrants to be? I think it is a serious topic for consideration.

It seems to me that no matter how much things change in this world, the ugly facts that make us so “different” seem to always be lurking, just beneath the surface, ready to transform this diverse melting pot into a primal war of ‘tribe vs. tribe,’ or worse, ‘party vs. party.’

Ironically, in our world of sensationalized news and in the midst of our gluttony of information, we choose not to focus on clear enemies. We have convinced ourselves that local enemies (that is, those who have opposing views on politics and ideologies) have taken the place of valid enemies who are capable of bringing great devastation and destruction to our nation.

The threat of an attack is not only probable on our landscape, but some of the very ideals that a good many have fought and died for over the past 200 years could be in jeopardy as well. I, for one, hope that no matter how hard the blow, how painful the loss, or how long the battle, we do not retreat backward in our ideals… and certainly not at the hands of ruthless tyrants who would pay any price to prove that the ideals of “the American way” are flawed.

***Editor’s Note: Andy McGee is a Liberal Columnist for “The Thirsty Quill.” While Mr. McGee often writes insightful and thought-provoking articles for ‘The Quill,’ it is important for readers to note that his opinions and views are strictly his own, and rarely reflect the opinions and views of the pro-Conservative ideals of this site. As always, “The Thirsty Quill” greatly appreciates Andy’s participation and contributions.***