Destruction and Missiles

Dragon Head Estate’s Destruction

South Hampton Village, Long Island – On 640 Meadow Lane, a landmark Long Island Mansion is being destroyed by Calvin Klein. Dragon Head/Elysium estate is a 55,000-square-foot home, with a complete ocean front view of the Atlantic, which sits on 10 acres land. It was built in 1924 as a Chester town House by Henry Francis Du Pont. When Du Point perished in 1969 his family auctioned the house off to Baby Jane Holzer. The house was not remolded until Barry Trupin purchased it in 1979 for $330,000. In 1992 Trupin was indicted upon tax evasion, forcing him to sell the gloomy castle estate. A real estate developer, Francesco Galesi bought it for $2.3 million renaming Dragon Head to Elysium in 1993. Trupin hoped to sell for $8 million but fell short. Finally Calvin Klein bought Elysium for $28.9 million in 2003. The house was considered the biggest East End house until 1999, when Fair Field’s 100,000-square-foot complex was built in Sagaponack.

Unfortunately, after six years of living in the castle mansion Mr. Klein decided to remodel to a smaller, greener house made of stucco and steel. The destruction and rebuilding is due to take place later this year. Klein plans to build a 17,850-square-foot home that is lower than 50-feet tall to suite the local community. Review boards were passed to inspect the houses historical value inside and out. The wrecking ball has gotten the approval for demolition, but they are still testing the roads to see if it can handle the heavy castle stone. Any expensive artifacts from the house shall be sold on auction.

Dragon Head/Elysium is an amazing site to see, almost as if it were picked out of a fairy tale. The massive estate cannot be missed for those traveling on Meadow Lane to Montauk Point. Fellow South Hampton Villagers are thrilled to see the transformation of Dragon Head into a more accepting home. The 50 foot tall house is conforming to meet local height and zoning laws, that Trupin broke many of during his design. Ever since, local residents have despised the mansion due to its cold, dark look.

Personally I feel that they should keep the house but the owner begs to differ. It has been a historical landmark standing on long island for years. The mansion itself is amazing just to pass by when traveling along Meadow Lane. It feels like you left Long Island and traveled back to Medieval Times.

North Korea Rocket Launch

North Korea – The North Korean Communist country is planning to launch a rocket containing a communications satellite. The launch date is not announced yet but will take place at a base in Hwadae. However, testing of long range missile launchings took place in 1998 and 2006. Taepodong-1 and Taepodong-2 were the missiles used, one of them being a stage three rocket. The Korean Central News announced “that preparations to launch a rocket Unha-2 to put a communications satellite Kwangmyongsong-2 into orbit. When the satellite is successfully launched, Korean space technology will make a huge step in becoming an economically strong country.” The U.S. is worried that Alaska could become a target for the missile, since the last launch failed landing in the ocean. Seoul and Pyongyang have been under recent peace agreements. China and Japan are taking caution against this recent statement. U.S. Secretary of state Hilary Clinton feels a test-launch would be “un-helpful”. South Korean Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee, urged North Korea to provide evidence of a satellite rather than just launch. Nevertheless, North Korea tested a nuclear weapon in October 2006. Experts say they do not have the technology yet to mouth a small nuclear head on a missile.Kim Jong-II North Korea's Leader suffered a stroke in 2008, some believe this is why he is acting out.

I personally have a mixed bag of feelings upon North Korea launching rockets. Since they are using it for satellite communications that would strengthen their country. Being that they are a separated country from South Korea and a communist country. This could be setting the stage for a catastrophic disaster. Nuclear testing started in October 2006; it has been almost 3 years. I am sure they have the capability to produce a dirty missile attack to any enemy. The test however carried out days after American and South Korean officials urged them not to. You can advise someone not to do something but ultimately it is up to them, this is what we are witnessing. The “Red Scare” still exists in the heart of many fellow Americans.