[Shaun_MD]

If Bin Laden pulled off something like multiple nuclear bombs going off it would be the end of the USA as we know it. In that case I would hope that enough of the country remains intact long enough to completely and totally eradicate our enemies off the face of the earth.

[karnage]

I think it depends on what you mean by "as we know it." I think the human spirit in general and the American spirit in particular is incredibly resilient. I do not believe even several nuked cities will cause the country to be destroyed.

The principles upon which the nation was founded - although atrophied by modern society - still exist, and are cherished by many. And they don't depend on gleaming cities to exist or flourish.

I hope my opinion is never tested, since I live in LA and would have to watch the drama play out on a celestial television. :-)

[RHINO369]

"If Bin Laden pulled off something like multiple nuclear bombs going off it would be the end of the USA as we know it. In that case I would hope that enough of the country remains intact long enough to completely and totally eradicate our enemies off the face of the earth."

The effects of half a dozen suitcase nukes going off would be far from the end of the United States. Suitcase nukes are small, and detonated at ground level wouldn't do much more than destroy the downtown of a large city. The problem is that a surface detonated nuclear weapon leaves more radioactive material than a weapon detonated in the air.

It would be a tragedy of epic proportions, but Germany and Russia sustained a much larger percent of their population killed during ww2, than 6 suitcase bombs in America.

[RightOnline]

Would you STOP that whiny, defeatist bullshit?? What's with you "omg.......a few nukes and the US as we know it is FINISHED!!!" crowd??

We have become such a nation of pussies. You obviously didn't paricipate in the Cold War.