Greatest threat of nuclear catastrophe since the "cold
war.'' Growing greater every year!
By mickielynn on 2016-08-09 08:18:35
[caption id="attachment_8648" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Nuclear explosion from
Operation Crossroads. A pair of nuclear weapon tests conducted by the United States at Bikini Atoll in mid-1946. They were
the first nuclear weapon tests since Trinity in July 1945, and the first detonations of nuclear devices since the atomic
bombing of Nagasaki [August 9, 1945][/caption] [caption id="attachment_8650" align="aligncenter" width="540"]
ee, aif “= bere ae ia. oo er Sn eee NE ee = Gilda, the 23 kiloton air deployed
nuclear weapon detonated on July 1, 1946 during Crossroads Able. Experiment to see the result of atomic explosions on
warships nearby.[/caption] Today marks the 71st anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki
[August 9, 1945], resulting in the deaths of 39,000—80,000 people during the first 2 to 4 months. Followed by many more
during the next decades resulting from burns, radiation exposure, malnutrition, and other injuries. One would think that this
horror, which destroyed a third of this port city, [and the even greater death, destruction, social disintegration, and
disabilities caused in Hiroshima three days earlier] would have discouraged further development and testing of nuclear
weapons. Especially since approximately 200,000 more people had died from atomic bomb diseases or injuries by 1950 and
many more have lived and died with permanent disabilities. [caption id="attachment 8659" align="aligncenter"
width="600"] : — —= Heiwa, o negai
shimasu, "Peace Please." Designed and photographed by Charles Michael Helmken, Offset Lithograph. Published by the
Shoshin Society in 1985
Syracuse Cultural Workers' poster[/caption] Instead, the testing of nuclear weapons resumed within the next year and has
continued throughout the development of arms control treaties and the arms race of the cold war. Now we face even greater
threats of nuclear weapons use in the current climate. Or in the words of former Secretary of Defense, William Perry:
“Today, the danger of some sort of a nuclear catastrophe is greater than it was during the Cold War and most
people are blissfully unaware of this danger.”
A useful way to focus on this current situation and some of the historical factors comes in the form of William Perry's recent
book My Journey at the Nuclear Brink. You can get a good overview by reading this excellent review. Here are a couple of
relevant quotes from the review. One referring to Perry's own words about the tensions being ramped up by NATO
expansion that threatens Russia and creates a new nuclear crisis:
In clear, detailed but powerful prose, Perry’s new book, My Journey at the Nuclear Brink, tells the story of his
seventy-year experience of the nuclear age. Beginning with his firsthand encounter with survivors living amid
“vast wastes of fused rubble” in the aftermath of World War II, his account takes us up to today when Perry is
on an urgent mission to alert us to the dangerous nuclear road we are traveling.
“The descent down the slippery slope began, I believe, with the premature NATO expansion, and I soon came to
believe that the downsides of early NATO membership for Eastern European nations were even worse than I
had feared” (p. 152).
To find out more about the current increased threat of first use of nuclear weapons you can visit William Perry's website,
which has as its goal ..."to work towards a world in which nuclear weapons are never used again." Some of the particular
issues that are discussed along with the current US lack of restrictions on first use of nuclear weapons include these: Right
now United States policy still allows the President to be able to order nuclear first strike without congressional oversight or
judicial approval. Then there is the danger of storing 50 nuclear weapons in Turkey with its recent failed coup; the
dictatorial backlash and general uncertainty of where Turkey's president will ultimately find his alliances.
America’s nukes aren't safe in Turkey anymore, but is there anywhere else in Europe that would take them?
Read Jeffrey Lewis's astute analysis of the emerging situation of U.S. nuclear weapons stationed in Turkey
during a military coup.
Another facilitator of increased possible use of nukes is the proposed program to "modernize" the nuclear armory. This will
create a new arms race between the US and Russia and will also develop smaller weapons which might actually make such
use feasible in the minds of some. [caption id="attachment_8669" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Not Necessary, new nuclear
tipped ICBMs, photo by Michael Smith-Getty Images[/caption] Then there is the crazy political situation in the United
States concerning the great risks of either first use or provocation of Russia by the ignorance of one candidate and the
continuation of aggressive and provocative foreign policy by the other. To spell this out a bit more here's part of an action
alert from the Council for a Livable World:
According to MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough, Donald Trump reportedly asked an advisor three times during one
hour why he can’t use nuclear weapons. The President has the sole and unique authority to launch nuclear
weapons. If the decision is made, no one can stop it. “If we have them, why can’t we use them?” Mr. Trump’s
campaign has denied that this exchange ever occurred. We can’t say for certain what actually happened. But
here’s what we do know: Mr. Trump has made numerous inconsistent and troubling statements about nuclear
policy, like suggesting that South Korea, Japan, and Saudi Arabia should acquire nuclear weapons. He’s also
refused to rule out using nuclear weapons against ISIS or even in Europe. And come to think of it, we’ve rarely
heard the exact nuclear policy positions of Mr. Trump’s opponent either.
Fortunately there are some things that President Obama could do on his own during the last several months of his Presidency
to decrease some of these threatening possibilities. He could change two current policies by initiating No First Use and No
Launch on Warning policies. And he could also stop or reduce the so called modernization program with its trillion dollar
price tag. In addition he could extend the New START treaty for another 5 years and prohibit US nuclear testing. All of
these changes will have opponents and obstacles but with some courage President Obama could leave a less threatening and
more stable nuclear weapons situation for the next administration. We will need to support such courage and practical
actions to move us in a more positive direction. To illustrate this, here are some photos from one of our many annual local
anti nuclear weapons vigils that have taken place in the Capital District. This was the vigil by Schenectady Neighbors for
Peace that took place on Friday, August 5th at the corners of Erie Blvd and State Street. All photos were taken by Mabel
Leon. Thanks Mabel and all the vigilers!
a
INO MORE
LHIIROSHIMAS|
