The North Korean Grinch

Looking for a clone of Dr. Seuss' "Grinch Who Stole Christmas"? Meet North Korea's bantam "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-il. While his pompadour haircut and platform shoes are oversized, his latest threat to South Korea suggests that his heart is at least two sizes too small.

There is even reason to question whether he has one at all.

Witness Mr. Kim's warning that, if the South puts up its traditional display of Christmas lights, he will consider it "psychological warfare." He promises "unexpected consequences."

The South's plan is to turn on the lights on Dec. 23 -- and to tighten security. The towers that are decorated are about two miles from the border, allowing it to be seen from Kaesong, a North Korean city nearby.

The Grinch's dastardly plan to steal Christmas failed.

As Dr. Seuss wrote: "It came! Somehow or other, it came just the same!"

And the world can trust that the wicked Mr. Kim will be no more successful in killing the Christmas spirit than the Grinch was -- lights or not.