As the world prepares for North Korea's long range missile test, the United States is forced to sit and watch while North Korea breaks international law by firing the missile. And according to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, it's unlikely the U.S. or any of its allies will try to shoot down the rocket.

Appearing on "FOX News Sunday," Gates said North Korea "probably will" fire the missile, prompting host Chris Wallace to ask: "And there's nothing we can do about it?"

"No," Gates answered, adding, "I would say we're not prepared to do anything about it."

But what if the rocket was fired at Honolulu?  

"If we had an aberrant missile, one that looked like it was headed for Hawaii, we might consider it," he said, adding the Pentagon does not believe North Korea can put a warhead on the missile or reach the U.S. West Coast.

"Might consider it?" At what point would it become a consideration? When the Red Bull finally kicks in?

Today, the U.S. deployed two missile-interceptor ships from South Korea on Monday, but the ships are said to be there to help monitor the launch with sophisticated radar.

Meanwhile, the peace and love North Korea government of Pyongyang threatened to strike South Korea if it joins a global effort to stop the flow of weapons of mass destruction called the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI).

Naturally, North Korea claims the missile test is for scientific purposes, such as determining the viability of putting a satellite in orbit, but the U.S., South Korea, and Japan believe the test to be a muscle flex and warning to other nations as well as a violation of U.N. sactions against the country.

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