[RobRoy]

I would not want this to happen, so I need to make it clear right here that this is NOT wishful thinking. I am wondering if those who know more than I may be able to punch some big holes in this.

I have noticed that often actions do not bring about the results one intended. Everybody knows that there is no way we would use nukes. I am just throwing out the paradigm and asking, really, is that the big deterent everyone thinks. If we think it through, what REALLY COULD happen if we did use nukes after a chemical or Bio attack, other than the standard response, that is,

[flamefront]

Yes, Bush approves nuclear response (If Allied forces are attacked by Chemical Weapons)!

[Steven W.]

NO. The reason we have nukes is so we don't have to use them. We don't need them, anyway. I know it's not wishful thinking but bordering on not thinking at all.

[LouisianaJoanof Arc]

No to nukes (of course I don't like fire :)

[Young Rhino]

If we wanted to use nukes, we would use them on Mecca and Medina. If Allah can't protect these "holy" cities from the infidels, then Islam ceases to exist as a viable religion. Making the hadj to a radioactive plate of glass doesn't inspire too many people.

[RetiredArmy]

If the bad guys use chem/bio weapons, then we should use tactical nukes in the field against their troops. Their arty will probably be sending the stuff over as they have no air force. Therefore, we respond in kind to destroy that weapon from attacking our troops. What better way to destroy bio than with nuke power? Use nukes? You bet your fanny we should use them. Not the big boys from a sub, but from our field arty.

[Darheel]

History repeats itself: America is the only nation to ever use a nuke: Draw your own conclusions.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Our WMD is tactical nukes... we will use it, forcefully, because N. Korea and China are watching. Just my two cents.

[Williams]

We aren't going to use nukes in Iraq so get over it. Maybe on North Korea if they get out of hand when we destroy that reprocessing plant.

[Illbay]

Egad, we have some strange folk around here.

[nanomid]

Actually, Tactical Nukes Are Already In The Iraqi Theater

The MOAB "looks like" a tactical nuke to many people. This
may not be a mere coincidence. Drop a MOAB or two and then
let people think it was a tactical nuke! This will
soften people up to the concept of using tactical nukes. This war
is a huge bonus for live weapons training worth billions of dollars
in and of itself. Tactical nukes need live weapons training too.

[RightWhale]

Nukes are useful only as deterrent. Once used, they do not deter. They have little military value, and if used, America will be a pariah among nations for decades to come. Once was enough.

Having said that, if another nation is so foolish as to use them on America, the response should be so strong as to eliminate that nation from history.

[MineralMan]

Personally, I think it would be a very bad idea to use nuclear weapons in this conflict. There are a couple of reasons for my point of view:

1. Radiation, in the form of wind-borne fallout, has a way of not respecting borders. Do we really want to contaminate countries not involved?

2. Given our dominating position, militarily, nuclear response is unnecessary to the sucessful completion of our goals.

3. Regardless of what some on FR believe, we still must coexist as a nation on this planet of many nations. International response to the preemptive use of nuclear arms would result in condemnation by many nations we still consider to be friends.

It is my belief that nuclear weapons should be reserved for strikes in response to the use or immediate potential of use by an enemy. No other use seems acceptable to me.

But that's just my personal opinion. No doubt others will feel differently.

[DudleyDoright]

I dunno. I suppose that if they laid a chem attack on our guys, we could clear out a section of the western desert of Iraq for a little "stockpile assurance" test...

CENTCOM Media flack:
"See here, guys, we don't get to do much testing anymore.. and, well, you know, this part of Iraq is even more remote than the Nevada Test Site.. Sooooo.. Everybody, please don't look in that direction for a minute or two here. Yes, that means you from Al Jezzera TV, too, sir."

after the bright light and big noise...

"Yes, thank you, members of the media, for attending our tactical stockpile assurance test today. Our next test will be conducted somewhat east of here... At a time and place of our choosing.."

</sarcasm>

Seriously, though. You could say "OK, you dropped VX on us. Great. We're going to start the creation of a glass parking lot here to the west to demonstrate that we mean business.."

[XJarhead]

I don't want to see us use them, and I don't think we will. Bush just wants to let them think that we might.

[amused]

It is certainly possible that the Admin wants to drop a tactical nuke to show what we are capable...a warning if you will. I would hope that we would avoid doing so because that road is way to unpredictable.

Besides, if it's a warning they are after, I thought that was what the MOAB test was all about.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Nukes, yet not.

[dalereed]

Absolutely yes!

[James_UK]

It's probably not a good idea but may be worth doing just to see the French piss themselves.

[Cicero]

We would only use nuclear weapons in a dire emergency. For instance, we would probably have used tactical nukes if the Soviet Union had mounted a full-scale armor invasion of Germany through the Fulda Gap.

Short of that kind of really drastic situation, we would only use them in response, let's say, to massive use of chemical weapons.

Use of nukes simply to show our strength would be a major mistake.

[jonathan-swift2000]

MAD is dead for the Cold War but should it be dead for the Islamofacist war? If WMD is used in America we should respond in kind at Mecca-Medina! Should we use them in Iraq, you bet. This would be a warning to North Korea, Syria, Lybia and Iran; disarm or else.
Another thought, rather than nuke N.Korea; tell China we will give nuclear missles to Japan and Taiwan, one each month until China convinces N.Korea to disarm. We want to reduce our stockpile of those Bad, Bad WMD's.