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Experts say eliminate ICBMs since they are part of U.S. arsenal most likely to cause accidental war
Reuters ^

Posted on 11/22/2017 8:41:39 AM PST by BusterDog

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To: BusterDog
The "expert" in this case is Bill Perry. Among those who know him it is no secret that very sadly, Bill is going senile.

Let me just point out a few problems with this view of affairs.

1. It is part of the how do we get to global zero. Recent affairs show that we are never going to get to global zero. It is not a strategically stable point. The best paper on this subject is by the great Tom Schelling A world without nuclear weapons?. Sadly Dr. Schelling passed away this last year, may he RIP.

Second, strategic stability requires tactical diversity. Chess is a hard game with a multiple pieces with different moves. Chess with a king and five pawns is a very different game, and will end tragically if if the other side happens to have a hidden bishop.

One of the functions of ICBMs is to absorb missiles on a preemptive strike, because it takes at least one missile per silo, and you might not get them all even then.

Another thing is that if you eliminate ICBMs you are reduced to a small number of Submarine platforms. One thing you cannot do with a submarine is launch just one missile, if say, you are in an escalatory contingency where you are trying to signal to knock it off. Once you launch a missile from a submarine you can color it gone because of the open invitation for a nuclear counterstrike against the sub.

So, no, eliminating ICBMs is not stabilizing. It is destabilizing in the extreme. And, it is handing the initiative to other two bit dictators who are willing to bankrupt their country to get nukes - an attractive option if the US is denuking.

And this has been thought through and thought through and thought through by many of the brightest minds in the world. But people forget and become distracted by imagining whorled peas.

41 posted on 11/22/2017 9:49:58 AM PST by AndyJackson
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To: BusterDog

I don’t accept ‘the experts’ the corrupt MSM puts forth in their quest to push extreme progressive positions.

Give me one reason why I should trust the judgement of Reuters ??? I can’t think of one. Eff em.


42 posted on 11/22/2017 9:53:20 AM PST by GOPJ (https://www.reddit.com/r/StumpSheet/comments/6ec3z1/fake_hate_crimes_official/)
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To: BusterDog

What sort of “experts” are these?


43 posted on 11/22/2017 9:57:36 AM PST by arthurus
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To: AndyJackson

Outstanding reply, thanks


44 posted on 11/22/2017 10:05:17 AM PST by BusterDog
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To: BusterDog

“Experts” == Lefty scientists? No sale. We’re keeping our ICBMs.


45 posted on 11/22/2017 10:07:39 AM PST by backwoods-engineer ( DJT won; we got Gorsuch and a bit of MAGA. Civil war before we get more?)
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To: Delta 21
Those darned ICBMs are always self igniting and attempting to sneak out of their silos and wander around the neighborhood un-escorted.

You got that right.

I spent ten years monitoring those pesky buggers and had teams of security police to keep them in their places. If we didn't watch them 24/7 they would be out wandering the Plains, TPing farm houses and tipping the cows.

Those darned ICBMs sure like their pranks.

46 posted on 11/22/2017 11:02:40 AM PST by OldMissileer (Atlas, Titan, Minuteman, PK. Winners of the Cold War)
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To: miliantnutcase
SUV’s armed with assault rifles and ICBM’s.

How about assault rifles armed with ICBMs (on the bayonet lug)? Drive the gun-controllers batty.

47 posted on 11/22/2017 11:03:07 AM PST by Disambiguator (Keepin' it analog.)
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To: BusterDog

Well, actually, we need to eliminate ALL weapons. ICBMS, bombers, tanks, warships, artillery, firearms, edged weapons, rocks, sticks, fists, people.

Only then will we be safe from our enemies!


48 posted on 11/22/2017 11:07:31 AM PST by Lazamataz (The "news" networks and papers are bitter, dangerous enemies of the American people.)
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To: Parmy
What qualifies one to be called an ‘expert’?

Liberals like your opinion.

49 posted on 11/22/2017 11:09:52 AM PST by Lazamataz (The "news" networks and papers are bitter, dangerous enemies of the American people.)
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To: EQAndyBuzz
"I was a missileer at Ellsworth in the early 80’s. To get those puppies off the ground requires a lot more than an “oops.”"

But these knuckleheads are picturing President Trump stumbling upon a red launch button in his office and because he's so dumb he pushes it - there's your "oops"

(We know it doesn't work that way, but libtards are just idiots)

50 posted on 11/22/2017 11:17:03 AM PST by Psalm 73 ("Gentlemen, you can't fight in here - this is the War Room".)
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To: BusterDog
Yes, let's eliminate ICBMs...1 at a time.. First North Korea...then ISIS...repeat as needed...😀
51 posted on 11/22/2017 11:36:33 AM PST by Deplorable American1776 (Proud to be a DeplorableAmerican with a Deplorable Family...even the dog is, too. :-))
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To: Parmy; Lazamataz
What qualifies one to be called an ‘expert’?

In his cogent years, Former Secretary of Defense Bill Perry was a genuine expert. As I said before, he is of an age where his mental faculties are declining faster than his physical condition. It is sad. He was, in his prime, a good man.

52 posted on 11/22/2017 11:59:19 AM PST by AndyJackson
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To: BusterDog
I would point out that among other notable accomplishments, Bill Perry founded the company, ESL, which is a spook electronics shop. He was instrumental in showing the value of signals intelligence and electronics intelligence gathering against the Soviet Union.

But he was born in 1927, a generation whose members are in their dotage if no passed to happier world.

53 posted on 11/22/2017 12:04:15 PM PST by AndyJackson
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To: Disambiguator

That would be like a three stage rocket. Impressive ;-)


54 posted on 11/22/2017 12:04:26 PM PST by miliantnutcase
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To: arthurus

55 posted on 11/22/2017 1:47:53 PM PST by bar sin·is·ter (Climate Scientology - another example of science fiction morphing into a religious cult)
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