Schueler: Maclan will be 'primary target' in 2014 election

MAVOCKE--After announcing earlier this week that he was switching parties, Conservative-turned-Nationalist Senator Robert Maclan of Armana has left a crowd of angry CNS colleagues in his wake.

And speaking on the STAR network's This Week program, Biereland Senator Jhana Schueler, who is co-chairing the Conservative Senate Campaign Committee (CSCC) for the 2014 cycle, told host Ian Hemming that the CSCC will now make Maclan's seat a "primary target" in the upcoming elections.

Maclan is up for re-election in 2014, and until his party-switching announcement last Tuesday, he was gearing up for re-election as a Conservative.

"We were planning on supporting him fully, financially and with endorsements and resources. But obviously, now, the situation has changed and he has opted to join the other team, and that means we will have to field a candidate of our own and go after that seat just like we would for any other seat we think we can win," Schueler said.

Though his announcement took many by surprise, it's clear Maclan had been planning on switching parties for some time.

The first-term senator, who before entering the Senate, spent decades in the National Assembly as a moderate Conservative, had been mulling a change for some time, he said.

"I've been thinking about this for months, but I finally feel now is the right time," Maclan said at his Tuesday morning press conference.

He switched parties because the "Conservative Party has lost its way on so many issues," he said in part.

"The party has gone so far to the right on social issues, and become so vitriolic toward the president and the other side. Part of that is politics and it does work both ways. But I just feel the party has evolved beyond my comfort level and has moved to a place that I'm just not comfortable with, as far as my beliefs go," he said.

Maclan had been a member of the moderate Conservative group the Sideliners Club since 1994.

There had been speculation in recent months he may switch parties. Last week, that speculation only increased after the Armana senator met three times with Senate Majority Leader John Morandi (N-Lial).

Maclan's announcement angered some, most notably his fellow Armana Conservatives.

"I think it's really, sort of a slap in the face to me and Dana," Armana's senior senator, Chuck Danbury, said, referring to Armana's other Conservative senator, Dana Glow.

Danbury had worked hard to get Maclan elected back in 2008, and he and Glow had worked recently to secure support from party leaders for Maclan's re-election bid.

"We put ourselves out there for Bob [Maclan], and it's just sort of frustrating to see this happen. It's disappointing. But ultimately, it is his choice which party he wants to align with, and Dana [Glow] and I believe in working together with our NAT colleagues, especially those from our state. We believe that our state delegation needs to be firmly united and needs to work together, despite our party differences. We need to put the state of Armana first," Danbury said.

Danbury himself is a member of the Sideliners Club as well. Glow is not a member of the group, but has a moderate voting record in a state that leans nationalist, despite recent victories for Conservatives at the statewide level.

Glow's office released a written statement from the senator, saying he was "surprised" by Maclan's announcement, but that he respects his decision.

"He is within his rights to change parties, and partisan politics should not come before the welfare of the people of Armana or the Grassadellian people," Glow's statement read.

Armana Governor Dale Fulbright (C), who previously served in the Senate, would not comment on the matter.

And most of Armana's congressional delegation remained silent on Maclan's announcement, with the exception of Conservative Assemblyman Jerry Topahane of Lowmist, who told Westernmyer's 930 am NewsTalk program Friday he was "disgusted" by Maclan's decision.

"Quite frankly, to see someone change parties and go to the other side, it really feels like treason. It does happen, but it's never pleasant to watch one of your colleagues, who you've trusted over the years and worked with over the years to accomplish your party's goals, it's never fun to see that person pack their bags, move to the other side, and then trash-talk their former party," said Topahane.

Maclan told the National Press Federation over the weekend that he meant to cause no ill-feelings.

"This was not an act of 'treason,' as some have said. It's not a vindictive move. I'm not trying to rub it in their faces. I just truly believed that I was with the wrong party and I believe the NAT will provide a better home for me," Maclan said in a phone interview.

"As far as what Chuck Danbury says, I think we can still work in a bipartisan fashion for the good of our state. I want to maintain that mutual professionalism and mutual respect and the cohesion we have in Armana's delegation. I want to continue to work with Senator Danbury and Senator Glow and all of the members of Armana's National Assembly delegation. I think our state should come first, not parties or political battles," said Maclan.

Various other Conservatives have voiced their displeasure with Maclan's switch. Deschire Senator Jay Burns, who is the leader of the Senate Conservatives, told the STAR network on Wednesday that he was "disappointed, to say the least."

"Of course I'm disappointed. You never want to lose a member of your team. And you never want to see the other side use a defection as ammunition against you, and I'm sure the NAT will go down that route and try to spin Senator Maclan's defection to their side as some sort of indication the CNS is not strong and is divided and troubled. And that's unfortunate, but it is what it is, and we will move on, and the Senate Conservatives remain a united, strong, resolute group," Burns said.

Maclan's defection to the Nationalist party does not change the balance of power in the Senate, however, since Independent Senator Niles Gilcrest of Veroche re-joined the Conservative party three weeks ago, after switching his affiliation to Independent during the 2010 election, when he lost the CNS primary to a more far-right challenger.

Gilcrest was officially welcomed back into the party at a ceremony on April 10, with Minority Leader Jay Burns officiating.

Gilcrest made the switch back to the Conservative party because he had "always been a Conservative" and just wanted to "feel back at home."

"I didn't change my party wilfully," Gilcrest told the Lanakis Daily News. "I was forced out by a primary challenger. But my heart never left the Conservative party."

Burns welcomed Gilcrest back to the Conservative caucus, and said his leadership, even in the midst of his difficult re-election campaign, was inspiring.

"Thank you for not leaving our party, and leaving your ideals and values during all of that," Burns said to Gilcrest.

The balance of power in the Senate remains firmly in the NAT's favor, with 53 Nationalists and 36 Conservatives. Ansleigha Democratic-Reformist Paul Ludtke and Independent George Reedsworth of Trinton round out the last two seats.

Both Ludtke and Reedsworth are also former Conservatives.

Ludtke left the CNS because of the party's move to the right on social issues, and also condemned the Nationalist party as "nanny-state liberals."

Reedsworth changed his affiliation to Independent after losing the 2010 Senate CNS primary to far-right challenger Randy Kalamaza. Reedsworth ended up winning a three-way race between he, Kalamaza and incumbent Grace Kemp.

After his surprising win in the 2010 race, Reedsworth angered Conservatives by aligning with the NAT instead of the CNS caucus.

Reedsworth made the move after Nationalists offered him a valuable seat on the Senate Defense Committee.

On Friday, Senate Majority Leader John Morandi told The Voice that recent defections from the Conservative party to the NAT are a sign of a "pattern."

"We've had three senators switch parties in the last few years. And all of them said it was because the Conservative party has moved too far to the right on social issues. There is part of a pattern that is emerging in the CNS, and that is a pattern of far-right extremism that is pushing moderate and centrist members out of the fold," Morandi said.

As for Maclan, Morandi is pleased to have him aboard.

"We are very happy to have Senator Maclan join our side. We believe he will make a great NAT senator for the state of Armana."

Wynmyer will not seek Carova governorship

PORT BAY, Carova -- She says she's "honored and humbled" to be considered a candidate in the 2014 Carova governor's race, but former Democratic-Reformist Sen. Julie Wynmyer will not run for the state's top job, she announced Wednesday.

In an interview with the Carova Statesman, Wynmyer said she is flattered that people have asked and urged her to challenge Conservative Gov. Sam Byelle, but she is not interested in the position.

"It's very flattering, but this is not the right time or the right position for me," Wynmyer told reporter Peter Mahern.

"Right now, I'm enjoying spending time with my family and my grandchildren, and I'm finding other ways to serve the people of Carova," Wynmyer said.

Some of Wynmyer's recent activities include being elected President of the Carova Plant Society and gaining a seat on the governing committee of the Folman Group, an advocacy group that seeks to end homelessness in Carova.

Wynmyer even buried the hatchet with former Senate opponent, Nationalist Becki Salmon--whom she ran against in the 2012 election--and Wynmyer is now serving on the board of the pro-environment group Carova Wildscape, which Salmon co-founded.

"We sat down and talked and realized that we don't agree on everything, but we do agree on a lot, and that's something we can unite on and find common ground. We had a great discussion over lunch and she invited me to be apart of her group," Wynmyer said of Salmon.

"I'm very busy, but I'm very happy at this point in my life," Wynmyer told the Statesman. "I'm not going to close the door on politics altogether, but I don't believe the 2014 gubernatorial race is one that I'm interested in."

Wynmyer's pass at the governor's race is good news for both Sam Byelle and the state Nationalist party, as a Wynmer Democratic-Reformist candidacy would have likely resulted in a three-way race, which would expectedly have siphoned votes from both the CNS and the NAT candidates.

But Nationalists still have an uphill climb against Byelle. The first-term governor has healthy approval ratings hovering around 60%, and his populist message resonates with the common-sense voters of the Northern Frontier.

However, some prominent Nationalists are said to be considering a challenge to Byelle. Most notably: Sen. Dan Sallovich, who has openly expressed interest in the governorship.

Lorenzi Mayor Anna Madde-Maas and freshman Attorney General Dan McGregor are also said to be mulling a run.

Former lieutenant governor Carson Latzo, who made a political comeback last year when he was elected to the National Assembly after a 2008 drunken-driving scandal, was considering running for governor, but decided against it.

Latzo is now expected to announce his candidacy for mayor of Carlingford in the November 2013 election.

Last week, uncertainty about Byelle's future reached a climax, after an unnamed source within the governor's office told the Statesman Byelle was going to retire instead of running for a second term.

But Byelle cleared up all doubt over the weekend, when he announced he will seek re-election in the 2014 election.

Three stabbed outside Treeton-area movie theater

HUDSON HEIGHTS, Monomi--Police have a suspect in custody after he reportedly stabbed three people outside a Treeton-area cinema Sunday evening.

It happened at the Carlisle Cinemas in the Dominick's Shopping Centre in Hudson Heights, northeast of Treeton.

Dispatch received the first 911 call at 7:55 pm Western time. A group of bystanders detained the man until police arrived.

One of the victims was seriously wounded and taken to St. Anthony's Medical Center, but is expected to be okay.

The other two victims were taken to the hospital but released.

Police say no motive has been established, but they believe the suspect is mentally ill and not was not taking medication at the time of the attack.

Six Grassadellians injured in Boston Marathon bombing

BOSTON, Massachusetts--The Grassadellian Office of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that six Grassadellian citizens were injured in the bombing terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon on Monday.

The bombing killed three people, and injured more than 180 others, including the six Grassadellians, three of whom were participating in the marathon.

"We have confirmed that six Grassadellians were injured in the blast," Foreign Affairs spokesman Derek Gleason told the National Press Federation (NPF). "One remains in hospital at this point, the other five citizens have been released. None of the Grassadellian victims have life-threatening injuries."

The victims have been identified via social media, after family members and some of the victims themselves posted about the ordeal on Facebook.

"I have been released from the hospital, and am so thankful to be alive, thankful that I was spared," Marc Ganton, 44, of Oak Valley, Wilkonshire wrote on his Facebook page.

Ganton was running the race with close friends Vlad Peeling, 41, of Sun Harbor, Monomi, and Joe Standich, 47, of Lyle Circle, POG.

Ganton suffered a broken leg, after falling in a crowd of panicked onlookers.

Peeling was treated for a fractured wrist, and Standich was treated for minor cuts and bruises.

The other three Grassadellians injured were all treated and released, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). They have not been officially identified by government officials, but the DFA has confirmed the other three victims were not participating in the race.

In all, 53 Grassadellian citizens participated in the marathon, and several hundred attended the event.

"Obviously this is a very tragic situation, that unfolded in Boston, and our hearts go out to all the victims and the families of those killed. But it especially hits home for Grassadellia as well, as many citizens were there participating in this event and were endangered. We're quite fortunate that no Grassadellian citizens were seriously injured," Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs Dawnelle Hunter-Garrett told STAR-TV.

President Brenton Menuhaeo condemned the bombings Tuesday morning at a press conference, calling them "an act of cowardice."

"This attack can only be described as an act of cowardice, and Grassadellians are saddened by what happened yesterday in Boston, and we, once again, in the face of tragedy, stand with our American allies and condemn this sort of violence," Menuhaeo said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Jim McCaren was en route to Israel yesterday, but spoke with reporters when he got off the plane.

"I am bewildered by what happened in Boston, and of course, grieved. Whenever innocent lives are taken in such a horrific way, for no reason, it is unsettling and heart-breaking. And it's important that we support our American friends and show them that Grassadellians are thinking of them at this difficult time," said McCaren.

Senate Majority Leader John Morandi (N-Lial) and Assembly Speaker Charlie O'Neale (C-Lial) issued a joint statement, saying in part, "we strongly condemn violent attacks that target innocent lives," and Grassadellia "stands with the United States to seek and find those responsible, and for justice to be served."

North Korea chides Grassadellia, calls Menuhaeo and McCaren 'fools'

MAVOCKE--The rhetoric between North Korea and Grassadellia is escalating, as the two nations spar over North Korea's recent threats of war and detainment of a Grassadellian humanitarian worker.

Last week, President Brenton Menuhaeo and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jim McCaren called for North Korea to stop provoking South Korea and the United States with threats of a nuclear attack.

The president and McCaren also called for the North to release Charlotte Gibbons, a 63-year-old Damoign woman who is being held in Pyongyang after traveling there for a European Union-led humanitarian mission almost four months ago.

North Korean government officials accuse Gibbons of "harboring illegal drug activity inside the DPRK," or Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as North Korea is officially known.

But Grassadellian leaders believe the charges of smuggling drugs against Gibbons were fabricated to provide an excuse for the North to detain a Grassadellian citizen.

"Charlotte Gibbons did not smuggle drugs into or out of North Korea. These are false charges. They were fabricated and made up to justify her detainment, and the whole world knows these are trumped up charges that have no legal justification or grounds for prosecution," David Monteguro, Collester's Chief of Staff, told the GBC in a Friday interview.

At a press conference last week, President Menuhaeo warned North Korea that Grassadellia would not tolerate its citizens being harassed or detained without warrant in other countries.

"North Korea is engaging in a dangerous game of rhetoric and provocation. This is a regime that has oppressed its own people for decades, and is known for playing psychological games with other countries as a method of manipulation. But Grassadellia will not tolerate the abusive treatment and unlawful detainment of its citizens. Anywhere."

Menuhaeo also warned North Korea's new young leader, Kim Jong-Un, that if the rogue nation provokes a military conflict with the United States or its allies, the conflict will not result in a North Korea victory.

"If North Korea provokes a war or a military conflict with the United States or with virtually any other nation, for that matter, it will not end in North Korea's favor," Menuhaeo told reporters.

In response to Grassadellia's warnings, Pyongyang reacted swiftly, chiding Grassadellia for its "arrogance," and calling President Brenton Menuhaeo and Jim McCaren "fools."

"The Grassadellian government is bringing shame on its people by engaging in reckless arrogance," the DPRK said in a written statement. "The DPRK will react with strength and confidence against Grassadellia, the United States, South Korea, Japan, or any other state that threatens the DPRK's interests."

The North Korean government also warned of Western complacency.

"Brenton Menuhaeo and Jim McCaren are fools if they doubt the strength and vigor of the DPRK," the statement said.

Following North Korea's brazen words, Collester released a statement, calling North Korea a "bully" and emphasizing the North's alienation from the rest of the world.

"North Korea continues to engage in careless provocation, the manipulation of other countries through extortion, and inciting violence and war. Unfortunately, this behavior comes at the expense of North Korea's dignity, and only assures further isolation from the international community," the Grassadellian State Department said in its statement.

As the war of words has increased in intensity, some have called for a truce.

"The best interest of all nations would be to end provoking words and engage in quiet peace," Sweden's Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt, a long-time ally of Grassadellia's, said in a written statement for the Swedish government.

Even from within Grassadellia's government, many voiced opposition to the rising tensions.

"This is the United States' problem, not our's," Trinton Sen. Grace Kemp (N) said at a town hall meeting yesterday. "Why are we getting involved?"

And Kalnier Sen. Paul LeBouse (N) condemned President Brenton Menuhaeo, a member of his own party, for increasing tensions between Grassadellia and North Korea.

"By engaging in this petty, adolescent-like game of back-and-forth threats, the President and the leaders of the state department are making Grassadellia look as bad as the United States. We are now joining the US as a war-mongering nation that seeks to bully the rest of the world with our imperialist agenda," the far-left LeBouse, a self-described socialist, told GBC Radio.

On the opposite side, some Conservatives feel the Menuhaeo administration isn't reacting strongly enough, however.

"He keeps saying all these strongly-worded messages to North Korea and warning them there will be consequences if they act unlawfully. But what good is rhetoric if you're not willing to back it up?" Sen. Jim Frasier (C-Deschire), who is the ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told the GBC Friday.

But some Conservatives believe the president is reacting appropriately.

"The president is right to tell North Korea, these acts of aggression and defiance will not be tolerated," Sen. Jhana Schueler of Biereland told GNN's Marcy McKay. "Very few leaders are willing to stand up to the North Koreans, and so far, I think Brenton Menuhaeo and Jim McCaren are doing a pretty good job of standing up to them."

As for Charlotte Gibbons, the Grassadellian woman still being detained in North Korea, experts say it is likely she may be released sometime next week.

"North Korea is expected to perhaps launch a small missile that isn't aimed at any real target. That way, they can claim some kind of military victory without provoking the United States into war. And then on Sunday they will celebrate the birth of their first leader, Kim Il-Sung, and after that, the tensions will likely come back down, and Charlotte Gibbons could very well be released sometime next week," Dr. Anders Broven of the University of Roddenclanshire's Political Science Department, told the Grassadellia City Times.

If Gibbons is released, the Grassadellian government is prepared, officials say.

"We are prepared for her possible release. We are working in tandem with the government of Sweden, who will be acting on our behalf. We want to secure her release and, the hope is, North Korea will turn Ms. Gibbons over to the Swedes and they will then bring her back to Grassadellia," Deputy Foreign Affairs Secretary Dawn Hunter-Garrett told the NPF.

Gibbons' family released a statement, asking for prayers and an end to the stand-off between the two countries.

"We ask for prayers during this emotional time, as we seek the return of our beloved daughter, sister, mother and aunt. We hope she'll be home soon."

Garesby, Xhi have difficult relationship

CLEVEY SPRINGS, Harvannah--Just over three months into his tenure, Conservative Gov. George Garesby has set out on an ambitious agenda: to improve Harvannah's economy, restructure the state's education system, fix the state's ailing transportation infrastructure, better-serve rural counties that are often ignored, and embrace and integrate the citizens of Kilgore Island, which Harvannah annexed in 2010.

At his side is Harvannah's Lieutenant Governor, Nationalist Mia Xhi, who won a second term in 2012.

So far, the governor and his deputy seem to be getting along okay. Publicly, that is.

But privately, aides to both Garesby and Xhi (pronounced "she") say the two struggle to work together.

"It's not that he (Garesby) doesn't like her as a person (Xhi) or appreciate her as a colleague. He does. But he has reached out in bipartisanship and she has really shot down every attempt he's made," an aide to the governor, who asked not be identified because he was speaking without permission, told the Clevey Springs Dome-Observer.

Similarly, an aide to Xhi told the Dome-Observer the lieutenant governor considers Garesby to be a nice person, but will not compromise when it comes to hot-button political issues.

"She does think he is a nice guy, but she refuses to work with him because they just have two very different visions, and let's face it, she'd rather be working with Mark Andres, who she agreed with 99 percent of the time," the aide, who also was not authorized to speak to the media, told the paper.

In a candid interview with the Harlyne Sun newspaper, Garesby told reporter Michael Dallion that he respects Xhi but has not received a warm reception.

"I really do respect her as a public official. She is a pioneer for women in this state, in terms of holding of office and being a leader in Clevey Springs. But I have tried to reach out and tried to find some common ground, and tried to cultivate a healthy, bipartisan, friendly relationship, and I just don't feel like that attempt at camaraderie and cooperation has been returned," Garesby said.

In a separate interview with the Sun, Xhi said the two leaders have "real differences" when it comes to the issues, and maintained she doesn't have a problem with Garesby as a person, but she "strongly disagrees" with his political philosophy.

"I don't have a problem sitting next to George Garesby at a luncheon or a political function. I don't have a problem sitting down with him in the governor's office and talking. But I do have a real issue with his political positions and his ultra-conservative agenda that he is attempting to push through. And I can't cooperate with something that is so strongly against my beliefs as a woman, as an Asian-Grassadellian, as an independent, free-thinking person that values civil rights," said Xhi.

When asked if his relationship with Xhi is "icy," by reporter Michael Dallion, Garesby replied, "I wouldn't say icy, but she hasn't been real warm."

Xhi told the Sun, "I respect his authority as governor, and I respect the will of the voters, as they elected him. But I do not respect his positions. We stand very far apart on the political spectrum, and I don't think holding hands and singing 'kumbayah' together is going to change that fact."

But both say they are working on improving their relationship.

"I have reached out, and I'm going to continue to reach out to Mia, because I think the people of Harvannah sent me to Clevey Springs to foster cooperation and team-work and bipartisanship. We had a very strong dose of partisanship in the last administration, and I'm determined to weed that out of Clevey Springs," Garesby said.

Xhi said the two are working on finding common ground.

"We are working together to find areas where we can agree. There aren't very many of them, but we are working to find commonalities on veterans' issues, environmental protection issues, protecting children, improving literacy. So there are some areas where we can work together despite our differences."

Xhi is widely seen as a possible NAT candidate for governor in the 2016 election. It's possible she could challenge Garesby, although she has declined to say whether she is considering a future bid.

Maine City cop shoots wife, takes own life in murder-suicide

MAINE CITY, Armana--Police in Maine City responded to a murder-suicide Saturday, involving one of their own.

Around 3:00 pm Eastern time, authorities rushed to a home in the city's northwest, after receiving 911 calls from neighbors reporting gunfire.

When authorities arrived, they learned it was the home of Maine City Police Corporal Michael Corman, 43, and his wife Olivia, 44 years of age.

Inside the home, police found Olivia Corman dead from a gunshot wound to the head, and Michael Corman with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.

A suicide note was also found, police say.

Police would not release details or the contents of the note, but say financial and marital problems were main contributors.

"This is a very sad day for the entire Maine City Police Department," Captain Steve Brogan told reporters. "We grieve the senseless death of Olivia Corman and also the loss of someone we considered a friend and colleague, Corporal Corman."

"Had we known Corporal Corman was struggling with depression and these issues in his life, we would have intervened and sought help for him. But there were no signs, nothing any of his fellow officers noticed that would have sent up a red flag," Brogan said.

The home was cordoned off with police tape all day Sunday, as investigators continued collecting evidence. Police do not believe anyone else was involved.

Concern grows for Grassadellian woman held captive in North Korea

MAVOCKE--As North Korea continues to ramp up the tension on the Korean peninsula by taunting the United States with threats of war, concern is growing for a Grassadellian woman who is being held captive in North Korea.

Charlotte Gibbons, a 63-year-old Damoign woman who traveled to North Korea back in December on a humanitarian mission, is still being held in the reclusive country, three and a half months after initially being detained.

Grassadellia is feverishly working to secure Gibbons release, Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs Dawnelle Hunter-Garrett told the media.

"We have been working tirelessly to get her out of there, and we are continuing our best efforts to bring Charlotte Gibbons back home," Hunter-Garrett said at a press conference Friday.

With North Korea's recent "bellicose rhetoric," as the United States called it, the Grassadellian State Department fears Gibbons may be in an increasingly dangerous situation.

"North Korea is never a really safe place to go, in terms of coming back," Hunter-Garrett explained. "But in this case, Miss Gibbons was traveling there on a humanitarian mission, with a group from the European Union. So she was there on official humanitarian business, and that should be respected and she should be allowed to return to Grassadellia."

Gibbons was detained by North Korean officials, for what the state-ran media called "harboring illegal drug activity in the DPRK," which stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a name the oppressive government officially uses.

Grassadellian officials believe Gibbons was not involved in any illicit activity, and that the charges against were made up.

President Brenton Menuhaeo said he is "very displeased" with Gibbons' detainment, and said Grassadellia will not allow its citizens to be held hostage in other countries.

"North Korea is engaging in a dangerous game of rhetoric and provocation. This is a regime that has oppressed its own people for decades, and is known for playing psychological games with other countries as a method of manipulation. But Grassadellia will not tolerate the abusive treatment and unlawful detainment of its citizens. Anywhere."

Menuhaeo also urged the North to stand down and back off from its recent threats.

"If North Korea provokes a war or a military conflict with the United States or with virtually any other nation, for that matter, it will not end in North Korea's favor, I can tell you that," Menuhaeo said.

Meanwhile, the family of Charlotte Gibbons is praying for her quick and safe return.

"This has been three months of hell for us," sister Kathy Genn told the STAR network. "We just want our Char back. We want her back here safe with us."

Back in Mavocke, Deschire Sen. Jim Frasier (C), who is the ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has called for Grassadellian naval ships to be mobilized to the East China Sea.

"The US is sending ships there. Why not join them with a couple of Grassadellian naval destroyers. Just to show North Korea we are very serious about defending our country and defending our citizens."

Critics argue that will only endanger Charlotte Gibbons.

"That is a really bad idea that will have a really bad outcome," Sheila Wirth, Executive Vice President of the North Korea Policy Institute in Grassadellia City told the Mavocke Capitol newspaper.

Instead, Wirth and some members of Congress are calling for negotiations.

"What we need is a Bill Richardson or a Tony Blair to go over to North Korea and negotiate, peacefully and without increasing tensions, the release of Miss Gibbons," Marchenay Sen. Joseph Milhaughly (N) said after the Foreign Relations Committee hearing. "Bill Richardson did it with the US and Laura Ling. And we can do it too, but we need to act quickly and rationally."

Skeptics say a negotiation is unlikely right now, as North Korea is projecting a strong, bold and brazen image. A negotiation might be seen as a sign of weakness, they say.

"I think a negotiated release is very unlikely at this time. North Korea is not going to release someone in the midst of this arms competition they're having with the US," Sen. Paul Ludtke (DR-Ansleigha) told Good Morning Grassadellia. "The best thing we can do at this point is to back off, try to simmer things down and put the pressure on China to persuade the North Koreans to back off as well. And then we can negotiate the release."

Charlotte Gibbons' family, however, wants immediate action.

"Every day is precious. Every day that goes by is a missed opportunity," said Genn, her younger sister. "We just want her to know we are doing everything we can to bring her back."