[rmmcdaniell]

Our country is unprepared to deal with a nuclear explosion at a high altitude. The danger would be more than merely life or limb. A nuclear explosion over Chicago, for example, could plunge a large portion of our country into darkness, with electricity lost for days, even months, perhaps in some places years. All computerized activity in the region would cease. The culprit: High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse.

This concern is stupid beyond imagination. Terrorists are a million times more likely to detonate a nuke on the ground. Why would they bother with a fancy airburst (which would require ballistic missles or jets to transport it) when a ground explosion would be so much easier and more destructive? Any sitution were an airburst would be likely (exp: full-blown nuclear war with China) the status of our electrical instruments would be the least of our concern.

[tfecw]

well i would think the premise still applies. Wouldn't there still be an EMP blast from a ground burst nuke? so if they decided to nuke Chicago then the emp blast would still effect the power centers right?


all this reminds me of a book called Alas Babylon...great book by the way