Radio Smart Talk: North Korea; NRA sponsors outdoors show

Radio Smart Talk for Wednesday, April 17:

The threats against the United States and South Korea by North Korea in recent weeks would be considered bizarre and outlandish if the consequences weren’t so dangerous. North Korea’s new leader Kim Jong Un has threatened the U.S. and South Korea with nuclear anniliation. The North’s aggressive posture is basically unprovoked.

There is speculation that the North’s threats are meant to drum up nationalism and support for the new leader or to force concessions in the form of food or money from the West.

Others have suggested Kim Jong Un is mentally unstable, which makes him even more unpredictable and dangerous.

On Wednesday’s Radio Smart Talk, we’ll hear from two people who have spent years in South Korea — Col. Richard Lacquement, Dean of the U.S. Army War College’s School of Strategic Landpower and Rev. Song Kang, pastor of the Harrisburg Korean Presbyterian Church in Cumberland County.

Also, word came Tuesday that the National Rifle Association is the sponsor of a new outdoors show in Harrisburg. The Great American Outdoor Show replaces the Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show and will be held February 1-9, 2014 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center. The Eastern show was canceled last February after the promoters decided to ban military style semi-automatic assault rifles in response to the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. More than 200 exhibitors pulled out in protest.

NRA president David Keene was in Harrisburg for the announcement. We interviewed him about the outdoor event and gun policy as part of our on-going conversation about guns.

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