Growing risk of nuclear war - Polidicks

[quote] As much as the Cold War posed a substantial risk of nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union, the end of this bloodless conflict can be seen as a tragedy in terms of the global nuclear weapons situation. The old enemies in Washington and Moscow have stood down for the most part, and "duck and cover" films no longer maintain a prominent role in elementary school education, yet the problem of nuclear weapons is greater than ever due to new states gaining access to nuclear weapons and the scientific means to gain them. Anyone who lived during the Cold War can tell you about the fears of "The Reds" launching nuclear weapons at the United States. They can tell you about how the sirens that sound when a tornado is present used to mean the threat of nuclear attack. They can even tell you what those funny looking triangle signs used to mean. Yet it never happened. About 45 years passed between the end of World War II and the breakup of the Soviet Union and nothing ever happened. They may have come close a few times, but American and Soviet leaders were able to back down from destroying each other. They did this because they wanted to be at peace and knew the destructive effect that nuclear war would have on their people. Each side was sensible. With new nations getting nuclear weapons this sensibility is gone. Nations such as India and Pakistan have substantial nuclear arsenals, and each side has animosity for the other. One spark between these two nations could result in a nuclear exchange in the region. This possibility is even greater if Pakistan were to come under the control of fundamentalist Islamic leaders. North Korea has a nuclear program, and it will be just a matter of time before they have weapons pointed at Seoul ready to attack and eventually gain control of all of Korea. Iran is currently producing weapons grade nuclear material and has called the United States "The Great Satan" and has called for Israel to be wiped off the map. We can see how these nations do not have the same mutually assured destruction mindset and would be more than willing to use nuclear weapons on their old enemies. This is not the only threat. Terrorists would love to gain control of nuclear weapons. If a terrorist was able to access just one bomb, millions of people would die. Many Islamic extremists already use the suicide bombing tactic as their preferred method of inflicting terror, so mutually assured destruction theory does not apply here. They would be willing to sacrifice themselves in order to kill countless "enemies". Who would we retaliate against? Their home country? The Russians who may have sold them weapons? Certainly this would not be feasible. You can see how the destabilization of the world after the end of the Cold War coupled with the rise of Islamic extremism has raised the chances of nuclear war. The world can only hope that peace can be maintained and the continual Western "War on Terror" is successful in keeping terrorists from acquiring such deadly weapons. [/quote] Source: [url]http://www.helium.com/items/1949984-nuclear-war[/url]

Naaw. Not happenin'

brb, buying an old fortified missile silo and living in it.

"A single atomic bomb could kill millions" Nuclear weapons are really exaggerated these days...

[QUOTE=Squeaken;24797415]"A single atomic bomb could kill millions" Nuclear weapons are really exaggerated these days...[/QUOTE] They can. They just don't because every country (even North Korea) knows that one nuke will set off a [b]WORLDWIDE BUTTFUCKING.[/b]

I think the article's too exaggerated

I've already started looting.

Typical fear mongering crap with the media. No country will ever have the balls to use nuclear weapons.

[QUOTE=DireAvenger;24797425]They can. They just don't because every country (even North Korea) knows that one nuke will set off a [B]WORLDWIDE BUTTFUCKING.[/B][/QUOTE] Depends on where it hits, If it hit a place like New york or London, yeah, It'd likely be a million or so people dead, and just because a nuke is launched, doesn't mean the rest of the world is. If their smart, they'll keep the fuck out of it to prevent being nuked and let the other two wipe each other out.

Luckily we're all prepared. Remember kids, when you see a bright flash on the horizon, jump to the nearest safe location. If it's more than a few steps away, just fall flat on the ground, and cover your neck with your hands or your clothing. Should you be in your classroom, just get under your desk. All US desks have been fortified with lead to make it a safe haven for you and me. That's right Billy! You too can survive a nucleur war!

A thread about nuclear war and not even a single lame reference to fallout? [editline]07:32AM[/editline] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2kdpAGDu8s[/media]

[QUOTE=Squeaken;24797415]"A single atomic bomb could kill millions" Nuclear weapons are really exaggerated these days...[/QUOTE] One nuke could kill a large city.

I agree with the point put forth by this article. Nuclear weapons are no longer seen as a weapon of peace; but an offensive arsenal for guaranteed elimination of a target, which places us at a dangerous crossroads. While countries whom recently acquired a nuclear arsenal may follow the MAD doctrine, many push the notion aside such as a uneeded paper. Now am I saying nuclear warfare is a given in our lifetime, no, I am saying we are at a greater risk for nuclear than that of the beginning of the cuban missile crisis. And many don't realize it. When one kernel pops into popcorn, many others are soon to follow suit. /bleakoutlook [QUOTE=Squeaken;24797415]"A single atomic bomb could kill millions" Nuclear weapons are really exaggerated these days...[/QUOTE] Even a small yield nuke can kill millions. Depends on population density of the target and it's surrounding areas.

If everyone had nukes, there'd pretty much be no wars. Nuclear deterrance. You cannot nuke the shit out of your enemy because EVERYONE ELSE NUKES EVERYTHING TOO. and then we are all dead

[QUOTE=hypno-toad;24797489]A thread about nuclear war and not even a single lame reference to fallout? [/QUOTE] This is three-dog! OWWWW! And I just wanna tell all you cats out there in the wasteland, that there will not be any Fallout 3 referrals. And remember boys and girls: Support the good fight and make sure to aid the brotherhood when you can.

You source a "topic" for a website that anyone could write. Seriously? It's pretty much a forum except you have to write a lot.

[QUOTE=Sir_takeslot;24797468]Depends on where it hits, If it hit a place like New york or London, yeah, It'd likely be a million or so people dead, and just because a nuke is launched, doesn't mean the rest of the world is. If their smart, they'll keep the fuck out of it to prevent being nuked and let the other two wipe each other out.[/QUOTE] That assumes the world is filled with intelligent people and not ruined by alliances and such.

[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;24797533]That assumes the world is filled with intelligent people and not ruined by alliances and such.[/QUOTE] Well if that's the case. We're all fucked.

[QUOTE=Fippe;24797502]If everyone had nukes, there'd pretty much be no wars. Nuclear deterrance. You cannot nuke the shit out of your enemy because EVERYONE ELSE NUKES EVERYTHING TOO. and then we are all dead[/QUOTE] Again, relies on people not being stupid. I don't think we're in that situation sadly. Not saying that a nuke will be launched, but if it is, it's likely we're all fucked.

If every country in the world had nukes somebody would be bound to slip up eventually.

[QUOTE=hypno-toad;24797581]If every country in the world had nukes somebody would be bound to slip up eventually.[/QUOTE] If everyone was smart and put aside stupid differences and realized a nuclear war is just idiotic, i think we could live through it. otherwise, you're right.

[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;24797598]If everyone was smart and put aside stupid differences and realized a nuclear war is just idiotic, i think we could live through it. otherwise, you're right.[/QUOTE] this

religion is useless and causes hate towards others. Iran is a prime example of this. We have 2 options: 1. Banish religion from existence 2. Declare me your new god and unite the world in peace

[QUOTE=Sniping Robot;24797650]religion is useless and causes hate towards others. Iran is a prime example of this. We have 2 options: 1. Banish religion from existence 2. Declare me your new god and unite the world in peace[/QUOTE] Religion gets a bad rap, and is overly useless, but banning it outright? Nope. Not a good idea. I'd rather people just become sensible about their believes. [editline]12:58AM[/editline] Wow, I just defended religion. I must be sick.

[QUOTE=Sniping Robot;24797650]religion is useless and causes hate towards others. Iran is a prime example of this. We have 2 options: 1. Banish religion from existence 2. Declare me your new god and unite the world in peace[/QUOTE] This has what to do with anything? And more importantly, it's right in what way? I'm a stern atheist, but what you said is wrong in many ways. [editline]03:02AM[/editline] [QUOTE=HumanAbyss;24797685]Wow, I just defended religion. I must be sick.[/QUOTE] It's part of the flu. Everyone has it.

[QUOTE=Zeddy;24797695]This has what to do with anything? And more importantly, it's right in what way? I'm a stern atheist, but what you said is wrong in many ways. [editline]03:02AM[/editline] It's part of the flu. Everyone has it.[/QUOTE] A lot of the conflicts the article brings up have religious backgrounds. I guess so, must be a hell of a fever.

[QUOTE=Sniping Robot;24797650]religion is useless and causes hate towards others. Iran is a prime example of this. We have 2 options: 1. Banish religion from existence 2. Declare me your new god and unite the world in peace[/QUOTE] It takes a lot more than that to eliminate most disagreements between countries. If you want something reflective of "peace" you have to eliminate these root causes of disagreement: *Resources *Culture *Landspace *Physiological differences *Language *Environmental demands *anything else I didn't mention Alter all those, and you're good to go. [editline]4:04[/editline] Oh yeah, forgot human stupidity.

Hopefully these old bomb shelters get a go [IMG]http://timrileylive.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/shelter-photo.gif[/IMG]

I got my place in the bunker under the apocalypse bunker bunker yesterday!

Only about 1 block from my house there is a nuclear shelter. But, the overseer is kind of, insane.