[T. P. Pole]

OK. Somebody help me put this into perspective. What exactly do the codes do? Are they to verify that the person ordering the strike is indeed the president? Is the "biscuit" the thing these codes are stored on? Do the codes change on a schedule, explaining why he is talking about trading in the biscuit, or if somebody steals the biscuit, can they start a war?

Not that I am defending the slimey-one, but I would hate to over-react to this. We tend to have that reputation, here.

[TennesseeProfessor]

Not even the President can launch a nuclear weapon without a second. Likewise, there are procedures to retaliate even if the President is incapacitated which Clinton certainly was. However, it is difficult to imagine a more somber duty, or a more sensitive secret, than the management of our nuclear arsenal.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Basically, "yes" to each of your assumptions.

'Nuf said about how serious this was.

[jackbill]

Are they to verify that the person ordering the strike is indeed the president?

Yes.

Is the "biscuit" the thing these codes are stored on?

Yes.

Do the codes change on a schedule, explaining why he is talking about trading in the biscuit, or if somebody steals the biscuit, can they start a war?

Yes and probably no. However, if the President loses the biscuit he can't start a war or retaliate against someone who does.