06-08-2003 05:43									#1
	Mini-nukes on US agenda Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3126141.stm

	06-08-2003 05:46									#2
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Nuclear weapons are supposed to be something scary and never to be used.

	06-08-2003 05:48									#3
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Why is this bad news now?

	06-08-2003 05:49									#4
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Bush has gone off his rocker!!

I think 9/11 may have caused him some serious psychological trauma. He doesn't seem to be thinking clearly anymore. Yes you can make the joke he never thunk clearly, but I disagree with that.

	06-08-2003 05:54									#5
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Because it means nukes are more likely to be used... which sucks!!! Besides, the potential for devastating error is large, lets also bare in mind that this is still capable of destroying my town and killing thousands!!

It also shows lame understanding of terrorism, the majority of terrorist weapons/gear is stored in dispersed locations, not in bunkers in Iran or something for conveniently dipping into. This is a civilian/social enemy, not a military enemy, so tactically speaking, it is foolish to treat it as such (of course that latter approach won't win votes, but it'll work).

These things are still going to chuck out loads of radiation, which is bad I think you will all agree.

They won't be able to make it work on the other hand. Hiroshima bomb was about 3x critical mass (the mass of nuclear material required for a chain reaction), so reasonably, the smallest explosion (fission) will be in the region of 5 kilotons. Fusion explosions require fission "igniters", plus the fusion reaction itself, so they cannot be less than twice the size of a minimum fission blast. Why are they pursuing an objective that would require precise control over subatomic particles, which we don't have, thus any mediocre gcse or A level physics student will tell you this endeavor is futile, and frankly idiotic.

	06-08-2003 05:59									#6
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quote: Because it means nukes are more likely to be used

Bullshit! This sort of anti-Bush paranoia is seriously getting annoying.

Making a better nuke doesn't mean its gonna be used. I don't remember using a Fusion Bomb on anyone, do you?

	06-08-2003 05:59									#7
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Dissident: It was most interesting watching Bush and Blair try to persuade America about going to war with Iraq (I think this was last year, not too sure). Let me make it clear that I am, was and will be against that war and all wars, and this is clear evidence that they decided they wanted war, and evidence was collected to that end, not the other way round.

However, in this speech, Bush spouted some inconsistent, patriotic crap, while Blair gave a coherent, reasoned, convincing and logical argument. It was Blair that convinced many people, and showed me that there was a strong case for war (still the case against was stronger imo). Bush was incapable of doing so, on the other hand, he is of course merely a puppet, in this case, most likely of hawks who want useable nukes with little or no understanding of how that technology works.

I agree with you, but this shows the extent to which that admin is prepared to go to be popular. Bush can think, but not enough to be president!

	06-08-2003 06:00									#8
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quote: Making a better nuke doesn't mean its gonna be used. I don't remember using a Fusion Bomb on anyone, do you?

The fact that the fusion bomb was more powerful meant it was less likely to be used. Large nukes are a bluffers weapon. MAD prevents pre-emptive use.

	06-08-2003 06:01									#9
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Uh huh...... see? My dream... my VISION. Those of you who survive will be calling me a prophet!

	06-08-2003 06:02									#10
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Imran Siddiqui, if you seriously do not fear this, you're probably beyond help. Think about it. Do you want nukes becoming an everyday thing?

	06-08-2003 06:03									#11
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quote: Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui Why is this bad news now?

Because, if they carry out plans to create 'mini nukes', it'll be that much easier for our enemies (or terrosists) to steal them and use them against others.

Can you imagine a nuclear suitcase bomb?

It's also just a waste of money... I can see the use of earth penetrating bombs, but I think mini-nukes are pretty useless. Why not use the money to make modern nuclear weapons produce less fallout? Or maybe cure a few deseases? It's been a while since we cured anything (I think polio was the last one, but I'm not sure).

	06-08-2003 06:04									#12
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We've also eliminated smallpox, and several viruses once life-threatening to the whole world are now only in small packets of activity.

	06-08-2003 06:05									#13
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quote: My dream... my VISION. Those of you who survive will be calling me a prophet!

Simply because of my name, I beat you!!!

	06-08-2003 06:06									#14
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quote: Do you want nukes becoming an everyday thing?

Um... aren't they an everyday thing? Or do you think we deactivate nukes pointing somewhere for a week or two?

Really, I don't see the big deal. It's another deterrance weapon .

	06-08-2003 06:08									#15
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Hopefully...... because I would think the man who switches policy on THAT can kiss reelection good-bye. So that's comforting...

	06-08-2003 06:09									#16
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quote: Simply because of my name, I beat you!!!

Who said you'll live through the Holocaust?

	06-08-2003 06:10									#17
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quote: Why not use the money to make modern nuclear weapons produce less fallout? Or maybe cure a few deseases?

Not going to happen really. They need at least two fission reactions to start a fusion reaction, the former creating the fallout, the latter only creating helium of course. No conventional chemical explosive could come anywhere close to doing the job. Even particle accelerators can only do controlled fusion-like stuff on a miniscule atomic level.

quote: Because, if they carry out plans to create 'mini nukes', it'll be that much easier for our enemies (or terrosists) to steal them and use them against others

Unlikely because of majorly high security I would have thought. The danger is a small unit being developed independently, but that is a low risk, it would be easily detectable (how I know there are no WMD in Iraq... its the most heavily monitored piece of earth from space). It also requires testing which is easily detected, method of delivery. A briefcase bomb isn't feasible due to minimum size, though a truck or boat perhaps might work.

	06-08-2003 06:13									#18
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quote: Um... aren't they an everyday thing?

Exploding as standard munitions? Not thus far... hopefully it'll stay that way.

quote: Really, I don't see the big deal. It's another deterrance weapon

Its not though, it would (if it could occur, which as I explained is unlikely (though you don't underestimate scientists)) become a standard munition, at least more so. Unlike large nukes, it would be useable, if you've seen Dr Strangelove, thats a similar situation to large nukes (if less technically perfect).

	06-08-2003 06:18									#19
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quote: A two-day secret conference to plan the future of the American nuclear arsenal, including the development of so-called mini-nukes, is being held this week at StratCom, the headquarters of US Strategic Command in Nebraska.

Top secret meeting attended by top American Officials and members of the BBC press corp uh.

	06-08-2003 06:18									#20
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quote: Exploding as standard munitions?

You people are utterly loony! These nukes will NOT be used. They are simply another deterrance device. Progress is good .

	06-08-2003 06:26									#21
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quote: Originally posted by elijah Unlikely because of majorly high security I would have thought.

Maybe they'll take all the damn Airport Security and use it to guard these new nukes... then I would support them being made!

	06-08-2003 06:26									#22
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quote: You people are utterly loony! These nukes will NOT be used. They are simply another deterrance device. Progress is good.

The worlds largest military expenditure, the worlds largest "large" nuke arsenal, and an administration with the combined IQ of an iceberg lettuce is deterrent enough. These weapons are far, far more likely to be used, the only reason fusion bombs weren't dropped was the threat of MAD. Are you going to fire first when your actions will directly, then indirectly result in your mutual annihilation? Of course not!!! You have a target that is hard to hit with conventional explosives, you have little or no fear of retaliation in kind. You use the nuke.

The problem is that this target is rare at best, not justifying this force at worse, the radiation, and a small wee little barrier called the laws of physics!

	06-08-2003 06:27									#23
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quote: Maybe they'll take all the damn Airport Security and use it to guard these new nukes... then I would support them being made!

Amen to that!

	06-08-2003 06:32									#26
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if we had a responsible president, I wouldn't have any problem with these nukes.

but I'm scared Bush will actually use them.

	06-08-2003 06:35									#27
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Dissident: IF they are physically possible (which isn't the case - but intent is the most scary part), they will take so long in development that they won't be available to Bush (I believe he's only allowed 2 terms).

I think we need weed bombs. We detonate an enormous rocket full of cannabis in the atmosphere, causing everyone to mellow out, get along, and make sweet sweet love instead of war!

	06-08-2003 06:36									#28
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Is no one else not concerned that there was this supposedly secret meeting and the BBC happens to get an exclusive?

	06-08-2003 06:39									#29
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You people are over reacting. Most of these mini nukes would be used for etheir taking out underground bunkers or bio or chem weapons. This sounds like a good idea to me. Its not like they are going to start using them on cities or something.

	06-08-2003 06:40									#30
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the bunkers reside in the cities. because they know our weaknesses.

and I support dope bombs.