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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

I Have a Dream: A Century Without Nuclear War

Discussion in 'Archive: The Senate Floor' started by Jabbadabbado, Jan 27, 2012.

  1. Gonk

    Gonk Jedi Grand Master star 6

    Registered:
    Jul 8, 1998
    Well you know, the statement given above is exactly the same as the point at the end of "Watchmen". It's really the same as saying:

    "'In the end'? Nothing ends, Adrian. Nothing ever ends."
     
  2. DarthBoba

    DarthBoba Manager Emeritus star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Jun 29, 2000
    Well, FWIW, that's not what is going to happen. This is what might happen. The thing with nuclear weapons, and more specifically, their use, is that they defeat the modern philosophy of war-that it is waged for some sort of gain, typically a political/moral or economic one. Nukes do not allow for that by their very nature; they do not allow for anything besides annihilation. While it is possible to build tiny nukes (with a yield of a kiloton or less) even that is an incredible amount of destructive force. There is no allowance for "individual" targeting, like regular weapons. Everything-unless it's a deeply buried bunker in the middle of nowhere-around the target is going to be destroyed as well. Nuclear weapons and war are inherently nihilistic and has been ever since the USSR gained the bomb; barely a decade after that, seriously believing that a nuclear war would be winnable was for loonies. Nihilism is not acceptable to modern standards based on democracy (for most) and capitalism (for virtually everybody) where the goal is personal or national gain, and there just is no gain to be had in a world with more than one power armed with nuclear weapons. Even if you get a surprise strike in, the enemy's counterstroke is going to destroy you as well.