I don't usually discuss politics, mostly because I'd rather spare myself the hate mail and seedy comments that the political talk would surely draw.  But on this election night, I have something to say that I'm sure everyone can agree upon, whether you bleed blue, red, or something in between. 

A blogwide tribute set up to remember 9/11

Drudge siren. Fox reporting. Allah monitoring: U.S. intel can't confirm. 11:57pm Eastern update: James Rosen reporting on Fox: Learned from a senior Bush administration official, test confirmed. But the North Koreans "may not have gotten what they wanted...they were hoping for a test that would result in an explosion of 400 kilotons. Prelim reports show that it came in under that." More: "US did indeed receive early warning from the Chinese."

Yonhap News:

North Korea is believed to have tested a nuclear weapon in the eastern part of the country Monday morning, a South Korean defense source said.

"We detected the explosive sound from Hwadaeri near Kilju in North Hamgyong Province at 10:36 a.m.(KST)," a senior Defense Ministry official said, asking to remain anonymous because of the sensitive nature of the information.

But South Korea's military has yet to raise its alert level beyond usual defense situations, he said. The troops are still maintaining a Watchcon 3 surveillance status and Defcon 4 defense readiness status.

11:52pm Eastern. Bret Baier of Fox News reporting that the US was warned by China, Japan, and South Korea before the reported test. Confirmation "looking more and more likely."

Reminder of SecDef Donald Rumsfeld's remarks on NoKo nuclear ramifications:

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Thursday if North Korea successfully tests a nuclear weapon, it will show weakness on the part of the international community.

"And that failure … is something that the international community would have to register and ask itself how comfortable are we being that ineffective in this situation," Rumsfeld told reporters at the Pentagon during a visit by Croatian Defense Minister Berislav Roncevic.

His comments came as U.S. officials warned North Korea anew not to test a nuclear weapon...

...Rumsfeld also said that a successful North Korean test could prompt other countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

"Because of the ineffectiveness, and the lack of cohesion and the inability to marshal sufficient leverage to prevent North Korea from proceeding toward a nuclear program … it will kind of lower the threshold, and other countries will step forward with it," Rumsfeld said.

He added that depending on whether the test is above or below ground, the United States has as good a capability of detecting it as any country. But he declined to say whether or not it would trigger any U.S. military action.

"I wouldn't be the person who would make a decision like that. That's a decision for the country, and a decision for president," Rumsfeld said.

Bryan Preston's thoughts from Friday:

Diplomacy isn’t going to stop North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. That’s the bottom line. North Korea sees nukes as its last best hope of survival, while the rest of the world (minus China and possibly Russia) see North Korean nukes as an intolerable threat. I don’t see a peaceful end to this. Either China deals with Kim, or we do. And it doesn’t look like we will.

Breitbart/AP has this headline:

North Korea Says Nuclear Test Successful
Oct 08 10:54 PM US/Eastern

Nothing further yet.

Austin Bay looked at trouble on the China/N. Korean border earlier today. See also StrategyPage and the London Times. Austin from this morning:

Remember the cross-shaped beams pulled from the wreckage at the World Trade Center on 9/11?

The 20-foot-tall artifact was discovered in the smoking ruins two weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and became a symbol for recovery workers, family and later construction crews at the site.

It will be moved to the exterior wall of nearby St. Peter’s Church during construction at the trade center site. The World Trade Center Memorial Foundation has said it plans to include the cross as part of its memorial or inside the Sept. 11 museum.

Making the cross part of the official memorial or museum display would be a wonderful idea--though I'm sure lawyers for the ACLU and CAIR will be ready to file their lawsuits any day now.

 

In holiday greetings, President Bush said Jewish observance of Yom Kippur makes the world a more peaceful place.

"Yom Kippur is a solemn time to express thanksgiving that the Almighty remembers the names of all His children," said a White House statement issued in the name of the president and First Lady.

"During this blessed Day of Atonement, Jewish people gather in synagogues, consider their deeds and actions and celebrate as the sound of the Shofar proclaims the forgiveness and mercy shown by the Creator of life.

"As the High Holy Days come to an end, the Jewish people in America and around the world remind us of the gift of religious freedom and the blessings of God's steadfast love. On Yom Kippur and throughout the year, your deep commitment to faith helps make the world a more hopeful and peaceful place.

 

Gd Bless President Bush. Not sure I have ever seen a similar statement from a US President. Wishing all my Jewish readers an easy fast this Yom Kippur. Next year in Jerusalem.

Via http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com

Watch The Latest Episode of Hot Air