Posted on 10/18/2001 12:24:31 PM PDT by truthandlife
Emphasizing that his idea is just an option, Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) believes the United States should consider using tactical nuclear weapons against Osama bin Laden's terrorist network in Afghanistan if that network is linked to the recent anthrax incidents in the United States.
Buyer, a Persian Gulf war veteran and member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee thinks small, specialized nuclear weapons, not as powerful as the atom bombs that were dropped on Japan in World War Two, could be used on the caves where members of bin Laden's network have taken shelter.
However, Buyer emphasized that the use of the weapons would only be a proper response if bin Laden's people are linked to the anthrax cases in Florida, Washington, New York and elsewhere in the United States.
"Don't send special forces in there to sweep. We'd be very naive to believe that biotoxins and chemical agents were not in these caves. Put a tactical nuclear device in and close these caves for a thousand years," said Buyer in an interview with Indianapolis television station WRTV.
Buyer stressed that he doesn't advocate the use of full-power nuclear bombs, but acknowledged that much of the world wouldn't see the difference.
Buyer's press secretary, Laura Zuckerman, told CNSNews.com Thursday, "This is not an option that the congressman has called upon the White House or anybody of the military operations to take. He is just saying he would support it, if this an option that they would like to take.
"He's not advocating nuclear war. He's a gulf war veteran, he knows the horrors of war and he would never look to escalate something in this way. If they [were] quelled somewhat by the threat of a nuclear attack, then the threat itself might be enough," said Zuckerman.
Last Sunday on CBS' 60 Minutes, National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice said the United States would remain on high alert for some time although there were no specific terrorist threats, she said, nor any evidence that terrorists had gotten their hands on nuclear weapons.
"There are reports of all kinds of things, some true and some not. But there's no reason for the American people at this point to fear a specific threat of that kind. We have no credible evidence of a specific threat of that kind," Rice said.
So do you believe that it was wrong for us to save American lives in WWII by using nukes on Japan?
THE AGENDA EXPRESS
If I read you correctly, I disagree with you. If binL has 'em, he will use 'em. Why should we take a second hit of innocence and instead of 7,000 it will be 70,000 or even the next exponent of that. Take him out FIRST. We were the FIRST to take out Japanese empire '45...
Here it is: http://www.sandia.gov/LabNews/LN08-01-97/b61_story.html
Personally, I'd like something a bit bigger, say 25 megatons or so.
Nukem
What do you suppose the Chinese and Indians would think when nuclear clouds float over their territory afterward? How would you feel about your family drinking contaminated milk for the next few years?
Before he ever does something in the 'real world', he does it in his head.
The act of 'Speaking' about something, even as a remote possibility, automatically advances people more than halfway toward 'Doing' it.
One of the ways in which this reality is validated is demonstrated by the virtually universal use by governments of 'trial balloons'. Even repressive regimes often run ideas up the flagpole and take note of whether they draw any salutes.
An unwillingness to use trial balloons as one instrument of policy decision making, in fact, is a good indicator that the regime involved is not long for the world.
The murdering sand goblins simply went too far. And, like the doomed characters in a Greek tragedy, they are busily compounding their error in virtually every way that they are able to.
There's a symmetry, a predictable harmony to what is developing...
1) "Nuke Em?"
2) "We'll Nuke Em if..."
3) "Nuke Em!"
4) "We Nuked Em because..."
We're at step 2 now, just a few spores, a bit of soldiers blood, an atrocity away from step 3. The question is no longer whether we will use nukes in this struggle, but whether any realistic possibility remains that we wont.
< /sarcasm >
Repeat for all texans, we know YOU did not send us Kerry... please forgive us....
AMEN TO THAT!
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.