RANT & CHAT - No Politics

[Bird of Prey]

Greg,

I do enjoy it when everyone can be respectful of another's opinion. It's a very "American" thing!

I disagree with you that deploying nuclear weapons would in and of itself place the American way of life at risk. I am sure that many will agree that their primary value is as a deterrent. However, current thinking around the world is that the Americans lack the intestinal fortitude to actually use Nukes. In such circumstances the value of deterrence is lost. I've seen "Wargames" and know that the popular presentation is that the firing of even a single nuke will lead to all of them being fired and the end result is the end of civilization as we know it. I agree with you that under the scenario as described by CM (launch because we are losing conventionally) is open to the "end of the world" scenario. I submit however that may be a better solution that a world dominated by a taliban-like governmental structure.
IMO, a single preemptive strike would cause a great many that think they can "take" us to reconsider their position. It might even lead to real negotiations.
Prior to August 1945 the Japanese were ready to fight to the last man standing. Like aspirin, they took two and changed their mind.


The Bird of Prey
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