Do you think that Bush could order the use of nuclear weapons?

[terrya]

Only one President...Harry Truman...has ordered the use of nuclear weapons against another country. No other President since that time has ordered the use of them (Nixon and Kissinger speculated on using them during Vietnam)

But given Bush's "good vs evil" simplistic attitudes, I sure have to wonder about him.

And I know there are all kind of safeguards against ordering a nuclear strike (I don't think Bush can simply pick up the telephone and say "Nuke Paris now". So, he doesn't have that kind of arbitrary power.

However, considering Bush's "God is on our side" mentality. Could you actually imagine him ordering a nuclear strike?

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Yes, sadly.

n/t

[xultar]

2. YES unfortunately. I don't think he'd tell us until after he'd given

the order and it was underway with no chance of stopping it.

[NNN0LHI]

3. Could he? He could do it tonight if he gets drunk enough

Nuclear Football

It follows the President where ever he goes and is never more that a few steps from his side. It is carried by a military officer who must undergo the nation's most rigorous security background check - the "Yankee White". It contains a secure SATCOM radio and handset, the nuclear launch codes known as the "Gold Codes" and the President's Decision Book - the nuclear playbook that the President would rely on if he would ever have to decide to use nuclear weapons. Its real name is unknown but it is popularly known as "the football".

The concept of the football came about in the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis. President Kennedy was concerned that some Soviet commander in Cuba might launch their missiles without authorization from Moscow. After the crisis, Kennedy ordered a review of the U.S. Nuclear Command and Control system. The result was the highly classified National Secuirty Action Memorandum that created the football.

The White House Communications Agency which oversees the military unit in charge of the Football, was created with personnel from sections of the Defense Communcations Agency, composed of units fo the Defense Communications Operations Unit (responsible for communications and emergency power engineering) and the Defense Communications Support Unit. To work in these units, a candidate must pas a special seucirty investigation, called "Yankee White." The criteria include U.S. citizenship, unqeustionable loyalty , and an absloute absense of any foreign influence over the individual, his family, or "persons to whom the individual is closely linked." The aide who carries the Football come from the four military branches and are ranked Lt.Colonel, naval Comander, or Marine Major. They must be knowledgeable about all aspects fo the overall SIOP, as well as the various options available to the President for implimenting the war plan.

m

[soothsayer]

6. it's a football?

of course, because nuclear war is just a game

bizarre

on edit: whoopsie, meant to reply to the main message, not yers

[NNN0LHI]

8. Here are some photos. Just so you know, Putin carries one at all times too

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/systems/nuclear-football.htm

The Nuclear Football, on display at the Smithsonian Institute. The Football is a specially modified Zero-Haliburton suitcase with a leather satchel with zippers and pouches for documents and a secure radio

The Nuclear Football on display at the Smithsonian Institute. Contrary to populary myth the Football is not handcuffed to the military aide

[terrya]

7. My God.

I honestly didn't think it was so conceivably easy. Thanks for the interesting info about the football. Um, may I ask how you know all about that? It's not that well known. I've only read of it a few times (I remember when Reagan was shot that there was some anxiety that the warrant officer carrying the football was temporarily unaccounted for)

I had thought that there were secure safeguards built into that system. In the final days of Watergate, the then Secretary of Defense, James Schlessinger, ordered that ANY orders coming from the White House be routed through him...because of real concern about Nixon's mental stability.

[NNN0LHI]

9. Here's a link. I don't sleep well knowing about the Chimp having it either

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/systems/nuclear-football.htm

[terrya]

10. And I thought I was scared over "Fail Safe".

Economic and Industrial targets are part of the SIOP?

Sobering, to say the least.

[creativelcro]

16. or if God tells him to

via his dog.

[wildwww2]

31. After all God is Dog spelled backward. I can see a dog trying to

have a conversation with Dim Son. Your average dog would just have to slow it down a little bit to make up for Bu$h`s almost non-existant communication skills.
Peace
Wildman
Al Gore is My President

[Kamika]

4. Just who would he bomb?

I can only think of Iran really, syria is too close to "allies" and north korea aswell

[salinen]

5. he already has!

depleted uranium in bombs is a nuclear weapon. the future of mesopotamia will be one of cancer.

[AndyTiedye]

15. California

> who would he bomb?

California (if we hadn't surrendered to the BFEE last month).

But a North Korean passport would have miraculously been found intact in the crater.

[DoYouEverWonder]

19. The Temple Mount

in order to fulfill the prophecy.

[pansypoo53219]

11. he

certainly wants to.

bastard.

[Capn Sunshine]

12. It may prove to be Bush's legacy and solution

to the terrorists.

Like burning down the house to get rid of the cockroaches.

[Capn Sunshine]

13. OH, also ..religiousity

dictates he detonate one over the plains of Armageddon

Supposedly this triggers Jesus returning to earth
:nuke:
hallelujah brothers

[bigtree]

14. George II wants bombs.

"The Bush administration has directed the military to prepare contingency plans to use nuclear weapons against at least seven countries, and to build new, smaller nuclear weapons for use in certain battlefield situations," according to a classified Pentagon report obtained by the Los Angeles Times.

The 'secret' report, which was provided to Congress on Jan. 8, says the Pentagon needs to be prepared to use nuclear weapons against China, Russia, Iraq, North Korea, Syria, Iran and Libya.

It says the weapons could be used in three types of situations: against targets able to withstand non-nuclear attack, in retaliation for attack with nuclear biological or chemical weapons, or “in the event of surprising military developments.”

[salinen]

17. christian

paranoia in all it's glory.

[teryang]

22. "Suprising military developments" equals

...defeat of conventional forces on the battlefield, or the unavailability of conventional forces.

[NNN0LHI]

23. Or donkey attacks n/t

[teryang]

29. LOL!

Good point!

[mb7588a]

24. that's not so secret...

...parts of it are unclassified and availbe around the net.

Its the nuclear posture review report

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/policy/dod/npr.htm

[Blue_Chill]

30. That sounds about right to me

It says the weapons could be used in three types of situations: against targets able to withstand non-nuclear attack, in retaliation for attack with nuclear biological or chemical weapons, or “in the event of surprising military developments.

Isn't this why we have nukes in the first place?

I'm not worried that Bush will simpley use them willy nilly as much as I worry that he will cause one of the above scenerios with his brilliant "with us or against us" foriegn policy. Let's face it this guy knows nothing but the bully tactic and that will cause 9 out of 10 to cow before the monster that is the US military. It's that 10th one that could suddenly develope cornered rat syndrome that worries me.

[MrPrax]

18. Yup...in fact he might be doing it now

Kill'em all...let God sort them out...he probably does think that way

:nuke:
Liberals
:nuke:
Democrats
:nuke:
Foreigners


The Great Atomic Fire
do you fear this man's invention
that they call atomic power
are we all in great confusion
do we know the time or hour

when a terrible explosion
may rain down upon our land
leaving horrible destruction
blotting out the works of man

are you, are you ready
for that great atomic power
will you rise and meet your savior in the air
will you shout or will you cry
when the fire rains from on high
are you ready for that great atomic power

there is one way to escape
and be prepared to meet the lord
when the mushroom of destruction fallsthere is a shielding sword

he will surely stand beside you
and you'll never taste of death
for your soul will fly to safety
and eternal peace and rest

Amen...

[mlawson]

20. I really doubt that his handlers allow him near the 'football'.

Unlike him, they have functioning brains, and if he starts WWIII they know that THEY might die as well. Other than that, they probably don't care.

[NNN0LHI]

21. What a relief, knowing Karl Rove may be in charge of the damn thing

:crazy:

[mrgorth]

27. wrong

They won't die and they worship him so they don't care.

[Silverhair]

25. You left out a scenario. Under what conditions are you talking about?

1. Wakes up in the morning on the wrong side of bed and says, "Nuke Paris." NO. He doesn't have the authority and he wouldn't do it anyway.

2. North Korea launches a nuclear tipped missle and destroys Chicago. After a short consultation with his military staff he order North Korea turned into a giant parking lot. Yep, he would do that, for sure, and Yes, he has that kind of authority.

I hope you see a difference between the two situations.

[mikehiggins]

26. Yes, another reason he has to go. n/t

[Solomon]

28. You guys are scaring the

shit out of me. :scared:

[maggrwaggr]

33. you should be scared. The man hears god talking to him

anyone who hears voices should be pushing a shopping cart down the street, not running the country with the nuclear briefcase in one hand.

[maggrwaggr]

32. uh, he's already gotten congress to give $ for nuclear bunker busters

and you can bet he'll use them ....

after they blow up the Dem convention next year and blame it on Al Queda ......

And reinstate the draft ......

and cancel the 2004 elections (there won't be anybody running against him anyway) ......

and we all descend into martial law .....

and the nuclear war begins .....

[bigtree]

34. new nukes

are hiding in the stalled energy bill.

[ibegurpard]

35. NOTHING would surprise me coming from him.

Nothing.

[FrenchieCat]

36. Hell yea!

and that's why Bush has go to go!
The boy needs to be out of the white house by January 2005....if we can even wait that long!

That's why Clark has to win the nomination....because he really is the one that can defeat the chimp, and save the F*cking world!

Period!

[TexasMexican]

37. duh...

yes.

[Solly Mack]

38. Without batting an eye

oh yeah, chucklenuts could do it

[Q]

39. Political Science

Political Science
Randy Newman

No one likes us-I don't know why
We may not be perfect, but heaven knows we try
But all around, even our old friends put us down
Let's drop the big one and see what happens

We give them money-but are they grateful?
No, they're spiteful and they're hateful
They don't respect us-so let's surprise them
We'll drop the big one and pulverize them

Asia's crowded and Europe's too old
Africa is far too hot
And Canada's too cold
And South America stole our name
Let's drop the big one
There'll be no one left to blame us

We'll save Australia
Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo
We'll build an All American amusement park there
They got surfin', too

Boom goes London and boom Paree
More room for you and more room for me
And every city the whole world round
Will just be another American town
Oh, how peaceful it will be
We'll set everybody free
You'll wear a Japanese kimono
And there'll be Italian shoes for me

They all hate us anyhow
So let's drop the big one now
Let's drop the big one now