US presidential nuclear codes 'lost for months' (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

The codes used by the president to launch a nuclear strike were mislaid for months during the Clinton administration, the former highest-ranking US officer has said.

Ex-chairman of the joint chiefs of staff Gen Hugh Shelton made the claim in a new book.

The codes are usually held by an aide who remains close to the president.

Gen Shelton said there was an incident where an aide said the codes had been lost.

They were immediately replaced, but an internal inquiry was conducted.
***
more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11591213

EDIT TO ADD: ABC ran a story in which they tried to blame Clinton for this -- the POTUS does not carry the "Football", a military aide does. The BBC article makes it fairly clear that Clinton was unaware of the problem, and that it was a failure on the part of the aide(s).


:banghead::banghead::banghead:

[AndrewP]

1. Saw this report on ABC News last night

I'm waiting for a more neutral source to verify or deny.

It wouldn't be the first time this happened if it is indeed true.

[Taverner]

2. For me, that's a GOOD thing!!!

We can't launch nuclear war?

AWESOME!

[spanone]

3. i'm with you