U.S. drops pledge on use of nukes

Washington Times ^ | 2/22/02 | Nicholas Kralev

[kattracks]

The Bush administration is no longer standing by a 24-year-old U.S. pledge not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states, a senior administration official said yesterday.

Washington is "not looking for occasions to use" its nuclear arsenal, John Bolton, undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, said in an interview.

[Doctor Stochastic]

The Bush administration is no longer standing by a 24-year-old U.S. pledge not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states,...

There's ample precedent. The US is the only nation to use nuclear weapons against civilians (or against miltary targets for that matter.)

[WALLACE212]

Didn't Russia make a similar announcement about six months ago warning anybody who was thinking about interfering in Chechnya? I know I've heard something to that effect.

Regarding President Bushs' policy change, I have but one question, what about PDD 60? If this reverses Clinton's supreme act of treason, I might get happy about this after I finish this bottle of Pepto-Bismol...

[WALLACE212]

Can I finish my fallout shelter first?

[sinkspur]

(The last time the use of tactical nuclear weapons was seriously considered against a nation or target that did not employ (or have) WMD was during the Vietnam War during the height of the siege at Khe Sanh).

Actually, it is no secret that George HW Bush let it be known through back-door channels that, were Hussein to use chemical or biological weapons AT ALL during the Gulf War, tactical nukes were a serious option.

That's why Hussein never used anything but conventional weapons.

[sinkspur]

The US is the only nation to use nuclear weapons against civilians (or against miltary targets for that matter.)

Yes, and at risk of igniting another separate discussion, was fully justified in doing so.

[Illbay]

I love it when the Bushies make this sort of policy statement. It gets all the wrinkle-browed, hands-wringing pinkos coming out of the woodwork, and you have balding, bespectacled professor-types from the Union of Concerned Scientists et al standing in front of microphones to declare that we've become a rogue nation.

[Illbay]

This is about our enemies, not small fry like Arafat.

I know you Israel sycophants think it's a foregone conclusion that we will fight Israel's battles, but outside of your head there is NO such sentiment in the United States.

[Attillathehon]

Remember the scene in the first Indiana Jones where the bad guy approaches Harrison Ford swinging a huge blade and everyone is tensed up waiting for the big, bloody knife fight. Then Jones calmly pulls out a gun and shoots him. LOL That's how I see this shaping up. Everyone is waiting for the next big bloody fight with Iraq, and Bush may calmly shakes his head and just press a button. Next scene.

[browardchad]

I hardly see how we would take what could be considered massive casualties

Biological and chemical warfare -- used against troops abroad and/or innocent civilians at home. This is what this message is all about, and I believe we all know at which countries both the statement, and our warheads, are aimed.

[flamefront]

Yes, but what of the standing order known as Clinton's PDD 60 - to absorb a first strike?

Nealz Nuze
Sept 1, 1998 Neal Boortz, AM750WSB, Atlanta
CLINTON NUCLEAR POLICY

Have you heard of Presidential Decision Directives? Probably not, and that means that you haven't heard of Presidential Decision Directive No. 60.

Clinton's PDD 60 rescinds an earlier directive from President Reagan signed in 1981. That directive made it clear that America would be prepared to fight and win a nuclear war if it became necessary.

Clinton's directive removes victory as a goal in a nuclear confrontation. The official policy of the United States is now to absorb a nuclear blow, and then try to defuse the situation without retaliation so as to avoid a full-blown war.

Again --- under our draft-dodging Commander in Chief, for the first time since the beginning of the cold war, victory in a nuclear war is no longer a strategic goal of the American military.

Draw your own conclusions.

Pres. Bush, what say you?

[1Old Pro]

Our government's NUMBER ONE priority is national defense and the defense of our citizens and freedoms. We simply cannot rule out the use of any weapon in our arsenal in order to fulfill this priority.

[WALLACE212]

I'm dying to know myself.

[ecomcon]

Anything Jimmy Carter is connected to seems so infantile.

Cyrus Vance. Utter failure. Perfect liberal archetype. Puffy words signifying nothing; designed as a sleeping aid for a feel-good, gutless, spoiled, effeminate generation.

[Brett66]

Someone set us up the bomb!

[aculeus]

What a great adminstration!

They're doing (almost) everything I would do.

[palmer]

Then Jones calmly pulls out a gun and shoots him

Then Jones shoots the guy's wife and infant daughter? No, but that's why it's only a movie and not real life.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Excellent! THANK GOD!

[Centurion2000]

The Bush administration is no longer standing by a 24-year-old U.S. pledge not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states, a senior administration official said yesterday

YES !!!

Say goodnight to Dar-al-Islam

[Scott from the Left Coast]

oh boy... now the French will be really mad at us. *sniff*

They better not get too mad, we might have to implement this policy during the snail course one evening.

[albee]

Hate to admit it but your Post #23 sounds like it is right on!