And ... wait ... did I just argue that the diplomacy we have practiced ever since the end of WWII is no longer relevant today, and we should just start with a clean slate with all the Bad Actors in the world, and try again with their new management?!?

Nope, you didn't. You just argued that if you can't deal with inferiors as inferiors, try treating them as equals. b_b points out above that this is basically the US giving up on North Korea and caving to their demands. A regime that makes Nazi Germany look humanitarian. A criminal enterprise run like a cult. A starvation engine hell-bent on total control of its population. And we just gave 'em a status bump to "outfits we negotiate as equals with."

We had regular UN inspections under Clinton. In fact, when shit went sideways under Bush, North Korea asked for their Clinton-era team (Sig Hecker and Bill Richardson). We had a shit-ton of humanitarian aid flood in in response to the great North Korean famine. And then Bush fucked it all up and now they have a nuclear program.

And a missile program. No agricultural programs, no civil programs. They're burning everything they got to look impressive. Kim was eliminating rivals at a pace unseen in the history of North Korea - usually not a sign of stability. You don't wipe nerve gas on your brother's nose when you're comfortable in your position as ruler.

But now?

Now he's invited himself to talks.