Posted on 07/01/2008 5:26:16 PM PDT by ETL
It now has been four years since Dr. William Graham, Science Advisor to President Ronald W. Reagan and Chairman of the General Advisory Committee on Arms Control and Disarmament, and a distinguished panel completed a study of High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) and its potential effects upon this country. The conclusions of this study are the most frightening I have seen concerning modern-day threats.
Few have heard of it because the report has yet to be made public. The reason it has not been made public is simple: if EMP were understood by the American people, the next logical question would be what steps the government has taken to reduce the possibility of an EMP attack in this country. To date little has been done. When the American people realize as much, the outrage will be palpable.
EMP is electromagnetic radiation from an explosion (especially a nuclear explosion). The worst of the pulse lasts for only a second but any unprotected electrical equipment - and anything connected to electrical cables, which act as giant lightning rods or antennas - are affected by it. If a nation with a nuclear bomb and the ability to explode it high above an American city were to do so, it would have a massive effect in all directions. Almost immediately all communications systems in the country would be disrupted completely. No radio. No television. No internet. Indeed no electricity at all. Most of the country literally would be in the dark with no possibility of recovering any electrical facilities. We would not be able to run our cars because the gasoline pumps would not work. Water distribution systems would not work.
While there would be few immediate deaths connected with such an explosion, the long-term consequences would be profound. The national power grid would be rendered completely impotent. It would take many months or even years to have it up and running but with no power tools available, accomplishing this likely would be impossible.
There would be no telecommunications. Railroads would be unable to run. Even if the few steam locomotives left were employed, there would be no signal systems and no ability to switch tracks. Our entire financial system would be disrupted because computers would shut down. I could go on but you get the picture. Recovery would depend upon the restoration of electric power, the possibility of which would depend upon whether a part of the country was unaffected and that would depend upon where the bomb explodes.
Graham has made many recommendations which should be implemented to avoid such an attack. (Would that the public now understand the urgency to ensure that Iran does not acquire a nuclear device. Iran already has successfully tested a missile capable of carrying one into the high atmosphere).
Graham asserts that it is essential to pursue intelligence, interdiction, deterrence and defense to discourage an EMP attack. The highest priority is to prevent an attack. Our policies should shape the global environment to reduce incentives to create EMP weapons. We need to make it difficult and dangerous to acquire them.
Graham argues that we need to begin immediately a program to protect critical components of key infrastructures. We must maintain the ability to monitor and evaluate the condition of critical infrastructures. Graham reminds us that the absence of information can make things worse through inaction or incorrect action. Graham points to the blackout of August 13, 2003 as an example of the absence of information leading to inaction. We need to recognize an EMP attack and understand how its effects differ from natural disruptions.
America needs a plan to carry out the systematic recovery of key infrastructures. We must demonstrate the will and ability to recover from any attack. Toward that end we need a special team which frequently reports to Congress. We need to define the responsibilities of the Federal, state and local governments. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) needs to develop a plan for the country in conjunction with local governments and the Pentagon needs a clear plan to keep the Armed Forces functioning in the event of an attack. DHS must establish a senior leadership position with the accountability, authority and appropriate resources to defend against the most serious threats. Graham says that an EMP attack is a credible, potentially catastrophic threat to the United States. He says that the U.S. strategy should balance prevention, preparation, protection and recovery.
The Administration of President George W. Bush has known this for years, yet almost nothing has been done about it. Had he released this report and enforced the panel's recommendations he would be remembered as the President who saved America. Some scientists think the report may be released next month. If so it would behoove Bush to spend his remaining six months in office implementing Graham's recommendations. He cannot begin a moment too soon.
Paul M. Weyrich is Chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation.
Article:
The Next High-Tech Threat to U.S. Security -by Paul M. Weyrich
http://frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=48973533-18B4-4903-BF1A-F083C43B1667
[excerpt]
Of course, he didn't mention that his Commerce Department did everything in its power to assure that it would be unnecessary for the Chinese to steal nuclear or other technological secrets from the U.S. -- that those secrets were for sale.
He was, however, blindsided a few moments later by a follow-up question from Fox News.
"Mr. President, you said just a short while ago that no one has reported to you they suspect Chinese espionage at U.S. nuclear labs during your administration, sir. But sources tell Fox News, and we are reporting this evening that China stole the technology for electromagnetic pulse weapons from several nuclear labs during your first term in office, sir, and that the Chinese have successfully tested these weapons in China. And the sources also say that the administration at least was aware of this. Can you tell us, sir, were you not personally aware? Are you concerned about this? And what will be your administration's response to the report?"
Now watch carefully Clinton's response: "Well, you didn't say what the source of what they sold was."
Did you catch that? What they "sold"! Whether it was a Freudian slip or a simple gaffe, Clinton's assumption was that EMP weapons were sold! He quickly corrected himself, sort of.
"You say they 'stole' -- is that the word you used?" He went on to say he knew nothing about the report, but would look into it.
Much of the press conference was spent by Clinton defending his China policies.
Article:
Clinton and his friends in China -by Joseph Farah
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=14704
EMP is not that difficult to defend against. Yes certain technologies are more susceptible (semiconductor-based) than in the old (Starfish Prime) days and yes those same technologies can protect those sensitive devices.
The biggest problem is half the replacement parts come from China.
Steam locomotives are ok, but not diesel. Ohhhkay.
Two comments:
First, I have a lot of respect for Weyrich’s opinions. A scary scenario.
And second, make sure you have a gun and good supply of ammo with your survival kit. You will need both.
Hasn’t this been a known military threat for like....40 years?
Many military systems and critical infrastructure sites have been shielded. The BMD program is meant to destroy any small number of warheads that might be used for this...among other uses against missiles.
Of course, Obama, wants to strip us of those defenses.
Could solar and wind power be part of the solution? Or would they be affected as well?
Also that the next big Al-Qaeda attack on the US will involve EMP.
No cheers, unfortunately.
Kinda like we knew there would be gas shortages decades ago?
Actually a steam locomotive would be unaffected. A diesel is actually a diesel electric (several thousand HP diesel drives an alternator which is controlled by electronic circuitry which feeds current to traction motors which make the wheels go round)
That being said, a modern locomotive is an extraordinarily robust piece of electrical machinery, offering perhaps one of the most hostile EMI environments out there. It’s a 4MW power plant on wheels, and if anything could survive a nasty EMP shot, it would likely be a locomotive. Northeast corrider locos are straight electrics and would likely have a rougher go of things.
and visit often for updated news.
Check out the NoBombo Pride PSed photo. LOL
"I did not have monetary relations with that country."
But wouldn’t an EMP knock planes instrumentation and other electronics out, to name just one example?
Yes, Sandia had a big facility brochure about their EMP test facility we could hire to test EMP hardening.
EMP effects were the real reason for fiber optics. They do not even propagate lightning strikes.
"Mr. President, you said just a short while ago that no one has reported to you they suspect Chinese espionage at U.S. nuclear labs during your administration, sir. But sources tell Fox News, and we are reporting this evening that China stole the technology for electromagnetic pulse weapons from several nuclear labs during your first term in office, sir, and that the Chinese have successfully tested these weapons in China. And the sources also say that the administration at least was aware of this. Can you tell us, sir, were you not personally aware? Are you concerned about this? And what will be your administration's response to the report?"
Now watch carefully Clinton's response: "Well, you didn't say what the source of what they sold was."
Did you catch that? What they "sold"!
Remember the Soviet Foxbat that defected to Japan?
People laughed..."Hahaha it's CARBON STEEL, not titanium! It will rust out like a 55 Chevy! Bolt big engines onto an ANVIL and it will fly!".
And LOOK! Hahahaa! The Avionics use little tiny (hahaha) VACUUM TUBES".
Vacuum tubes.
Umm. Oh Sh't. Not affected by EMP...I see..."
He probably didn't know what an "EMP" was and figured 'hey, if they're willing to spend $xxxxxx.xx for this EMP thingy, why the heck not? I can maybe use the dough for some coke, and maybe get laid (looks at Hillary and shudders).'
IMO about 50% of the population would roll up their sleeves and do what they needed to survive. They will be stocked to take care of their families and a neighbor. About 25% (the unprepared neighbors) will be totally lost but pick up skills fast. The other 25%, the take care of me...I need help, people would be the looters,rioters, crazy hippies etc. and be the biggest problem for the rest trying to get by. I can even see our government trying to take our stocks and dividing stuff up...still trying to carry them...because when things are back on line they will need those votes because the people who can take care of themselves will try to run them out of office. JAT
Actually, I don't remember. Thanks for informing me.
Vacuum tubes. Maybe we should go back to them for our computers...
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