Bush Threatens Use of Nuclear Weapons
In perhaps the most serious deviation from the small gains made in slowing the spread of nuclear weapons, the Bush administration has declared that it will use nuclear weapons either in retaliation for any type of strike against the United States or its allies or to prevent countries suspected of developing weapons of mass destruction from bringing those plans to fruition. Given that it has already demonstrated its willingness to use first strikes against countries suspected of possibly planning to attack the US regardless of the quality of the information regarding such plans, this is a particularly ominous statement. Please do not take my word for this; read the administration's stated strategy.
Should we then wait until the US is hit with some terrible weapon before acting? No, of course not. But is threatening the use of nuclear weapons likely to limit the growth and spread of WMD? Since China has already said that it is increasing its nuclear arsenal because of Bush's plans, obviously not.
While the world has recognized the terrible consequences of using nuclear arms and has been pursuing their elimination, the Bush administration has tried to legitimize their use. Only a madman will resort to nuclear weapons. Only a madman would threaten the use of nuclear weapons. Only a madman would think that this is the way to peace.
Addendum
In an excite.com poll of April 5, 2005, the public expressed their opinion on nuclear weapons:
- How do you feel about any nation possessing nuclear weapons?
- They're so dangerous that no nation should have them 53% => 8190 votes
- Only the United States should have them, since it faces the greatest threat 12% => 1863 votes
- Only the United States and its allies in the war on terrorism should have them 16% => 2599 votes
- Any nation that can develop nuclear weapons should be allowed to have them 4% => 687 votes
- None of the above 10% => 1576 votes
- I'm not sure 2% => 456 votes
Current number of voters: 15371
© *The Excite Poll is provided by Rosner Interactive Services. It is a voluntary poll for our users, and is not scientifically projectable to any other population. We present these polls to give Excite users an opportunity to share their opinions on particular topics. Individual answers are not collected.
I was surprised to see the number who think that no nation should have them (my opinion as well). Given the current state of paranoia in the US at this time, this is really quite heartening.