Good old Lapp-Goch! Gotta love it. The pre-emptive self-defence techique for homicidal maniacs once advertised by National Lampoon as a ridiculous joke has had the USA presidential stamp of approval ever since 2003. What was once a joke goes mainstream.

Hitler and Tojo's interesting approach to national defence has thereby been exonerated by the Bush administration as just "good common sense in a dangerous world". Yes, it IS okay after all to attack others first, just because you think they might someday pose a threat to you. It must be all right or the president wouldn't have done it. Would he?

Yes, dick, there does appear to be solid evidence that Bearded Bruce poses a dire threat to the world, because he has stated that HE KNOWS how to make a nuclear bomb... Pretty worrisome! He is clearly an unstable maniac who must be stopped, and we can't take the military option off the table or he won't take us seriously.    Mind you, he doesn't have the fissionable material yet (or at least we don't think he does...), so now is the time to move decisively and make sure he NEVER gets it. To do this, I think the powers that be should freeze his assets, shut down all his bank accounts forthwith, suspend his driver's license, remove his cookie, and set his credit rating at zero. Then apply sanctions and suspend trade till he sees reason. Turn off his power too. And his water. That should teach him a lesson.

While he mulls all that over, surround his residence with a heavily armed swat team, ready to attack at a moment's notice if any sign of aggression by Bearded Bruce or the intent to commit future aggression is detected! (Such signs could include frowning, turning red in the face, yelling, and/or the use of foul language and rude gestures.)

I call this program of firm action "Tough Diplomacy...the Road to Peace and Freedom". Bearded Bruce is either going to knuckle under and meet all the conditions for peace and freedom that the Free World demands of its members or he is going to pay the consequences...

;-) Tough love. Tough diplomacy. Lapp-Goch. First strike. Shock and Awe. It's how you get things done in the modern world.