[Quix]

I got that

DRIFT

the first time, Poohbah . . .

But, in the 'modern' world . . .

functionally, specifically . . . are you talking about nuking all the capitals and larger cities of all the Arab countries or what???

And would even that be remotely realistic given all the givens. Would even Bush have the stomach for it?

Calculate in the world . . . etc.

There's simple and there's complex and there's both all mixed together.

[Poohbah]

functionally, specifically . . . are you talking about nuking all the capitals and larger cities of all the Arab countries or what???

Yes.

And would even that be remotely realistic given all the givens. Would even Bush have the stomach for it?

After a nuclear attack that killed millions of Americans, he'd have two choices:

(1) Massively overreact.

(2) Don't do (1), and be impeached, removed from office...and then be tried in the court of the Honorable Judge Lynch Mob.

Gosh, which one you think HE'D go for?

Calculate in the world . . . etc.

The rest of the world wouldn't say "boo" in that scenario. (Helpful Hint #1,331: When your next-door neighbor's house has just been firebombed, and he's expended a few hundred rounds into the likely culprits, don't say anything harsh or judgemental. He might still be peevish, and he might also have reloaded when you weren't looking. :o)