Bush approves nuclear response

Washington Times ^ | 1/31/03 | Nicholas Kralev

[kattracks]

A classified document signed by President Bush specifically allows for the use of nuclear weapons in response to biological or chemical attacks, apparently changing a decades-old U.S. policy of deliberate ambiguity, it was learned by The Washington Times.

"The United States will continue to make clear that it reserves the right to respond with overwhelming force

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

Bush approves nuclear response

Now that's a sensationalistic headline if ever I've read one.

[Mo1]

Is it me .. or does it seem like the they keep recycling old news??

[Grampa Dave]

Somethings need to be repeated!

The disclosure of the classified text follows newspaper reports that the planning for a war with Iraq focuses on using nuclear arms not only to defend U.S. forces but also to "pre-empt" deeply buried Iraqi facilities that could withstand conventional explosives.

For decades, the U.S. government has maintained a deliberately vague nuclear policy, expressed in such language as "all options open" and "not ruling anything in or out." As recently as last weekend, Bush administration officials used similar statements in public, consciously avoiding the word "nuclear."

"I'm not going to put anything on the table or off the table," White House Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card Jr. said on NBC's "Meet the Press," adding that the United States will use "whatever means necessary" to protect its citizens and the world from a "holocaust."

But in the paragraphs marked "S" for "secret," the Sept. 14 directive clearly states that nuclear weapons are part of the "overwhelming force" that Washington might use in response to a chemical or biological attack.

Ernest, would you say this make the n in pre-empNt, a capital n even if pre empt is not spelled that way?:)

[sonofatpatcher2]

If it comes down to it, I'm for nuking Iraq if they use WMDs on our troops or anyone else.

Okay, it is easy to write this on a computer screen, but I've been on the receiving end of a bullet and I've smelt the bad breath of a man I just killed with my K-Bar, so I feel I have a small right to speak.

So, to hell with world opinion! If by using our nukes to save lives (both ours and theirs) in the long run was the right thing to do to end WW2, then I say do it to end the War on Terror.

[First_Salute]

For the record, nuclear weapons have always been regarded as a deterrent in "N.B.C. Warfare," without finessing the connections of N to N, B to B, and C to C.

[Joe 6-pack]

"...apparently changing a decades-old U.S. policy of deliberate ambiguity..."

Frankly, I'm proud and honored to have a President who is deliverately unambiguous.

[Joe 6-pack]

ooops..."deliberately."

[garandgal]

Agree wholeheartedly...thank you for your service to our great country.

P.S. Loved your homepage....

[Quix]

Seems sensible to me.

Horrid but sensible, necessary.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Thanks, your kind comment is appreciated.

[Orion78]

Russia May Expand Nuclear Doctrine (4/28/00)

[Orion78]

Nuclear Strategy and Small Nuclear Forces: The Conceptual Components (6/22/00)

[ffusco]

The old MAD doctrine is being replaced. Nuclear deterrence is maintained by the possibility that they could be used. Smaller tactical nukes will almost certainly be deployed in case Saddam uses WMDs. Personally I think the US should have asked Afghanistan for permission for an underground test of a thermonuclear device of say 5 kilotons at Tora Bora. With practically no collateral damage it would have been expediant, humane and cheap and it would have given our enemies a reason to think twice.

[Aric2000]

When I was in the military, this doctrine was a given.

If President Bush wants to make it clear as day, MORE power to him. These terrorists do not respond to ambiguity, you have to hit them in the head with a hammer, and the threat of a nuke in response is an awfully big hammer.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: Personally I think the US should have asked Afghanistan for permission for an underground test of a thermonuclear device of say 5 kilotons at Tora Bora. With practically no collateral damage it would have been expediant, humane and cheap and it would have given our enemies a reason to think twice.

Smart idea. Very smart, I like it!

[sneakypete]

For the record, nuclear weapons have always been regarded as a deterrent in "N.B.C. Warfare," without finessing the connections of N to N, B to B, and C to C.

I suspect the purpose of this article is to send a message to certain interested parties and individuals in Iraq.And maybe even other places. There are FAR too many people who refuse to take the US seriously because we have a history of not abusing our power. These people are making a serious and fatal mistake if they take this to mean we won't respond in a unbelievably violent manner to any attack on our people that used chemical or bio weapons. Just because we work hard at being nice doesn't mean we can't be world-class nasty when it's called for.

[The Great Satan]

Well boys, I reckon this is it. Nuclear-biological combat, toe-to-toe with the Iraqis.

[The Great Satan]

Memo to the people of Baghdad: Get out now, while there is still time.

[sneakypete]

These terrorists do not respond to ambiguity, you have to hit them in the head with a hammer, and the threat of a nuke in response is an awfully big hammer.

The prime problem with that being that it is too big a "hammer". The terrorist leadership don't really worry about it because THEY are the only ones in their groups who have the intel coming in to warn them of a pending attack,and who have the mobility and ability to haul ass before the strike hits. Hell,since most of THEM won't be the doing the dying,they would probably welcome something like this because they would turn it into a recruiting tool. Nope,to REALLY get the message to them,you have to put it on a more primitive and personal level. You have to make it known that THEY PERSONALLY will be tracked down to anywhere in the world they go,and that one fine morning they will wake to to the feeling of a knife blade sliding across their throats. You are neither a martyr or a hero when you die in your sleep. A few examples of THAT happening will send a message they can't miss.