Well, define what the parameters are for our national survival being at stake and then you'll have my definition of soon. I'm just working with your definition of the problem- that we will use nukes when our survival is at stake. Do you believe our survival to be at stake at present?
I think if the terrorists get their hands on WMDs they will use them. I think that if there is no lethal price to pay a number of Islamic countries and NK will stockpile WMDs to further their cause(s). I think North Korea and Pakistan already have nuclear devices. I think Syria already has chemical and perhaps whatever Iraq had. Iran is months away from nuclear. Libya possibly has chemical. I'm a bit fuzzy as to who has what in biological capabilities.
All these regimes are a problem for us with North Korea, Iran, and Syria requiring attention before the 2004 election, which I don't know will happen. I expect we will not use our nukes until one million Americans have died due to an attack by one of these states or its terrorist partners. I hope I'm wrong. I don't think the majority of the nation supports the Bush doctrine. I don't think the majority of FreeRepublic posters support the Bush doctrine. I expect we will suffer another attack before we strike. I pray I'm wrong.