Posted on 12/03/2004 11:00:39 PM PST by ChristianDefender
Back in the days of the Cold War, the U.S. had a nuclear-weapons doctrine called Mutual Assured Destruction, or MAD for short. This doctrine held that if the U.S. were attacked with weapons of mass destruction, or WMD, we would immediately and without debate counter-attack the homeland of the perpetrator in such a way and with such overwhelming nuclear force as to make the cost of the initial attack too much to bear.
For instance, if the Soviet Union or the Chinese would have attacked us with WMD in the Cold War, we would have counter-attacked at the very least by destroying their 100 largest cities. The theory was that once you have destroyed the 100 largest cities of any society, even an evil empire, that society effectively ceases to exist, perhaps for several generations, thus deterring any WMD attack. Variations of this same nuclear doctrine were held by our Cold War allies and advisories, including the evil empire.
Although gruesome sounding, the beauty of MAD is that it worked. Even though both the U.S. and the Soviet Union were armed to the teeth with nuclear weapons, none was ever used. In fact, both sides went to great lengths to establish hardened and redundant command, communication and control systems to prevent the accidental or unauthorized launch of nuclear weapons, fearing the dire consequences.
The primary reason MAD worked is because it was simple and unambiguous. Both sides let the other side know in no uncertain terms that a nuclear first strike would be followed immediately by an overwhelming nuclear counter-strike destroying the heartland, culture and society of the attacker. This was a price even the most evil 20th century dictators would not even contemplate.
We now have a new enemy, Islamic terrorism, hellbent to either enslave or destroy us. This enemy is in many ways much harder to cope with than an evil empire. It does not have an army, an economy, an infrastructure, a capital or a state to attack. This enemy refuses to show itself on the field of battle so we can destroy it with our superior weapons and tactics.
However, Islamic terrorism could not exist if it did not enjoy comfort, support and succor from the Islamic societies from which its members are recruited. Besides the overt state support from Syria, Iran, pre-invasion Iraq, Libya, Sudan, North Korea, etc., this enemy also enjoys popular support in Islamic states. The popular support of the terrorists is much larger than it is politically correct to discuss in most forums in the West. But, does anyone doubt that bin Laden would be elected dictator-for-life in Saudi Arabia if that nation had free elections? Let's not allow political correctness to blind us or kill us. The terrorists are merely an extreme form of widespread corruption, totalitarianism and venality prevalent in Islamic states and societies worldwide.
Now, here is the urgent problem. The Islamic terrorists are seeking nuclear weapons to destroy us. If and when they acquire a nuclear weapon with the help of their state sponsors, they will use it in the U.S. homeland without warning. Can you imagine the effect of just one nuclear weapon being detonated in New York or Washington? In addition to the initial horrific destruction and casualties, the U.S. economy and perhaps the world economy would go into a depression that would make the Great Depression seem like Sunday school. Investment would stop for fear of further nuclear attacks. If they have one, maybe they have more? Our wealth would be dramatically reduced, and the economy would be in chaos for at least a generation. The American way of life would be dramatically altered, perhaps permanently. In short, the Islamic terrorists would win.
The stakes are as high as can be, and our current strategy of planting democracy in the Middle East may work too slowly or not work at all. How do we prevent that first nuclear attack and mobilize the world, even the Islamic societies, against the terrorists' nuclear ambitions? We need a new nuclear doctrine that puts everybody's skin in the game. We need a new nuclear doctrine that places the American people, the American society, the American economy and the American way of life far above politeness and political correctness.
I propose that the U.S. immediately adopt and publish the following nuclear doctrine:
In the event of a WMD attack by terrorists on the U.S. homeland or U.S. military facilities overseas, the U.S will immediately and without discussion use its immense nuclear weapons capabilities to destroy the 100 largest Islamic cities on earth, regardless of state, and destroy all of the military facilities of Islamic-dominated states. This will include all of the capitals and at least the 10 largest cities of all Islamic-dominated states and the "holy" cities of Mecca and Medina. In addition, North Korean cities and military installations will be destroyed. Now suddenly everybody from Casablanca, Cairo, Damascus, Riyadh, Tehran, Islamabad, Pyongyang and Jakarta have skin in the game. The last thing they want would be a WMD attack on the U.S. It would mean certain destruction of their societies. They might even be motivated to actually and feverishly work against Islamic terrorism instead of the tepid lip service they currently give. Those "freedom fighters" currently being cheered in the streets would be transformed to deadly threats in the very societies that spawned them.
The beauty of this doctrine is that it encourages the 1.2 billion Muslims to actually prove that they are adherents to a "religion of peace," and it holds all Islamic states and North Korea accountable for their behavior. If you don't want your cities on the target list, you have to earn your way off the list. Give us the head of bin Laden on a stick, and you may get a pass. Shut down your nuclear programs in an open and verifiable way, and you can earn your way off the target list.
Another advantage of this doctrine is that it doesn't cost a nickel. We have the necessary weapons and delivery systems in place. This would only require a fraction of our existing nuclear warheads. I presume the platform of choice would be Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines patrolling the Indian Ocean.
Of course, the hand wringers, peaceniks and leftist elites would shout and scream bloody murder about how aggressive, unfair and politically incorrect this doctrine appears. However, I believe it would accomplish the same thing as MAD – namely, the successful deterrence of nuclear holocaust. All we need is the will to declare it.
I don't see where I said what you said I said.
I said you are insane for reducing the war on terrorism to us wanting to kill muslims because they wear towels and have a different resigion.
Would you please respond as to your ignorance on current affairs?
Realize that this is a war of cultures and treat it as such.
Exactly my question. I wish I had the answer. Just saw Sum of All Fears last night and read the book years ago. Just change the names and it's that scenario. And we all know it could happen.
Why do you believe so strongly of 'proportional' retaliation?
The USA did not deserve 9/11, yet we acted very *very* moderately to it. A WMD attack on the USA.. c'mon
A single nuke blast in any US city will be a 20 trillion dollar cost in our economy. 2, 40 trillion.. A total econmic collapse. We'll be back to hunting/gathering.
Should we not at least try to deter the islamic world from trying such a thing?
But suppose they were able to purchase an actual nuclear DEVICE off the black market. A Soviet style suitcase nuke...not a dirty bomb. I think it changes the response dramatically.
Don't nuke every muslime -- hate the sin, not the sinner and I do believe that hte very philosophy, the very teaching, the very basis ofIslam is wrong, is evil. WE can convince a few muslimes to give it up, but to free the rest we MUST nuke mecca and medina
Pre-emptively?
They don't need soviet bombs, they're making them new from north korea and iran right now.
The devastation will be complete. 1 city, 20 trillion loss. If they threaten another, I hope you have a farm you can defend because our way of life is over.
"Thanks for your replies...INDEED...America should impose MASS MUSLIM DEPORTATION.."
Why bother with the trouble and expense of deporting them?
Why not just round them all up, send them somewhere remote and NUKE the whole lot of them?
Just use Lard. Bacon is expensive, for Pete's sake.
It's them or us or all of us.
They must know that if we are attacked with wmd that would be the end of them.
I feel especially bad for England. When London goes up in a flash, then what for you guys?
Do you have the land/skills to survive off the countryside with your population? You don't have any weapons, so no hunting..
It would be far better to deport everyone over here, especially the so-called "students",All deportation does is piss them off and set them free to sneak back over here and be part of the problem. If you want to do something with these "people" then kill them off to avoid any future trouble out of them!
and then shut down the U. N. building The trouble with that is the Daddy Rockefeller gave the UN the property they are on, it is sovereign territory like an embassy is and it is not part of the U.S.A.
and have them move their organization out of the United States.All that will do is move them, not eliminate them
Also, we should stop ALL foreign aid and resume on a case by case basis. As far as a Palestinian state, Israel could do what ever they damned well pleased.This I agree with.
Well if that's the case, then the answer in my opinion would be simple. You retaliate by destroying North Korea and Iran. That doesn't mean you destroy the top 100 Muslim cities.
Of course, destroying N. Korea means you just made life hell for S. Korea, Japan, etc. And destroying Iran you just made life hell for it's bordering neighbors.
Well, I should sleep soundly tonight. :)
Ok, how about just Mecca and Medina (that's what I think any way, and I think that would help us save th billion plus muslimes from the cult)
How is this a war of cultures? We don't have a problem with Orthodox or hindu or Japanese culture do we? We have differences but I don't see them flying planes into our buildings and killing thousands
Without destroying mecca/medina the source of this problem is still there.
North Korea would unlikely try and be linked to a nuclear attack on the USA. But they would sell their bombs to an islamic nation that is willing.
The main problem is islam, period.
I'd really prefer to occupy and deny islam those places. Just take them over and get the historical stuff out of the kabba.. Won't happen, so it'll need to be destroyed.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.