The corporate media and the Democrats are just as gung ho for war, militarism and nuclear weapons as the Republicans. This is one of the many areas where all are completely aligned. It's impossible to overdo militarism in any of its aspects, in the opinions of these war whores, so this increase in the likelihood the US will use nuclear weapons is absolutely fine. Reporting on it might engender opposition from the public, which is the last thing it wants, so why do it?
Bob, I can’t say it any better than you or Ken (“war whores” is the chef’s kiss). Do people actually believe that a sweep by the Democrats in November will change anything in the “defense” space (or any space, for that matter)?
"But isn’t nuclear policy the kind of thing the public should have at least some say in?"
The public has or hasn't some say across a range of issues. Which doesn't matter, because say isn't does, and this country is not a functioning democracy. Politicians are bought and sold by the highest bidders.
Kip I stumbled across your name in an odd way. I was going around and around with an Ai program asking about omissions of newsworthy stories by major media: I got the program to run an algorithm asking if they can detect any serious major media omissions and the program,, Gemini, came up with your list article,
This looks like a more comprehensive list than Nixon’s infamous Enemies List. With today’s software there is not telling how dangerous the list is. Seek a Federal job or benefit or even a job with a large corporation and within seconds you could be denied if your name is on the list and you can never know why.
I am looking for an investigative reporter to advance my work on the tension between peace advocates and war supporters. I am limited by my advanced age and extensive use of Ai, I need a human that cares and can write. Please email me at bjcuva@gmail.com and I will send you my work in progress and maybe we can work together,
Daniel Ellsberg wrote for decades about the absurdity of nuclear war planning and the people who engage in it. So casually in some cases, detached from the ramifications.
Crazy and to be expected of a power-mad administration ever eager to put the other in its place by humiliation or slapping in the face or, what the heck, destruction.
The nuclear deterrent works because the tripwire is the use of a nuclear device, any nuclear device.
To make "small" nuclear yield weapons is insane since conventional weapons can do quite a bit (are you guys at Pickaxe Mountain ready for the next mood swing?). The only thing accomplished by employing "small" nuclear weapons it to invite The End, to make it easier to get there.
That the Trump administration should be considering this development is only further evidence that it does not consider consequences, as has been broadcast to the world with Iran.
At first I thought Trump was merely a quirky egomaniac with a lust for wealth, bad enough for that, but I am beyond convinced that he is insane with a gift for finding other insane or near-insane characters with which to surround himself. Hegseth and Miller come to mind. He loves monuments but the biggest monument of all will be the man, a monument to the abuse of power who almost (still two years+ to go!) destroyed America.
"To make "small" nuclear yield weapons is insane since conventional weapons can do quite a bit".
I quite agree with you, but maybe the assurance that a retaliation is possible against any aggression is a chess game in which no one can "win". that's the only thing that may hold a madman back.
Any of these assholes who either get to put their hands on the 'nuclear football' or participate in nuclear weapons/warfare policy development should be mandated by (an actually enforceable) law to read at least 10 of the fiction and non-fiction books on this list, and then pass ethics, empathy and scientific knowledge tests.
I would add one from my reading experience: "Swan Song" - Robert McCammon
He spends a couple chapters in the beginning describing what it might be like when the missiles and bombs are actually being launched and hitting their targets.
Hmm. "A blast from the past". Nice word use here, Ken!
On "getting the President's thumb closer to the nuclear weapon", that's the most terrifying thing we could do. Especially with a man (I use that word loosely) like Pete Hegseth whispering masculine goals in his ear.
Those two are folks who should never be anywhere close to the Nuclear button.
We have done everything we could to disarm everyone (except US, of course) and Ukraine followed our bad advice and surrendered its nuclear weapons only to be attacked by one who still has his nuclear arsenal.
Spooky. but I remember De Gaulle's desire to have a "Force de Frappe". The old dude wasn't so dumb after all: Having a nuclear weapon *only* so that France could retaliate if attacked.
Trump and Hegseth, however are a different kind of guys for whom if we can annihilate the whole world 100 times over is better than if we can annihilate it only 99 times over.
Also, the Megalomaniac in Chief doesn't do "deals", like you and I understand deals. He does extorsions: find someone in a tough spot and extract what you can out of them through threats. Look at everyone of his 'deals'. They follow a very predictable pattern Point out to President Zelensky that he has "no cards to play" then get rare earth minerals from him on a vague promise that we will give him token support.
And that's when the threat doesn't slide into outright kidnapping and theft, as in the case with Maduro's Venezuela. He is threatening Iran with "complete annihilation" unless they open the strait of Hormuz. (Well, he appears to have bitten more than he could chew on that one, but hey, he has more nukes...
Maybe the best nuclear future we can dream of now that everyone knows how to build one, is to reduce the arsenal to only what we need to destroy the world only ONE time over.
If everyone had one's own "force de Frappe". It certainly would be cheaper to the masses who are helplessly footing the bill..
The corporate media and the Democrats are just as gung ho for war, militarism and nuclear weapons as the Republicans. This is one of the many areas where all are completely aligned. It's impossible to overdo militarism in any of its aspects, in the opinions of these war whores, so this increase in the likelihood the US will use nuclear weapons is absolutely fine. Reporting on it might engender opposition from the public, which is the last thing it wants, so why do it?
Bob, I can’t say it any better than you or Ken (“war whores” is the chef’s kiss). Do people actually believe that a sweep by the Democrats in November will change anything in the “defense” space (or any space, for that matter)?
"But isn’t nuclear policy the kind of thing the public should have at least some say in?"
The public has or hasn't some say across a range of issues. Which doesn't matter, because say isn't does, and this country is not a functioning democracy. Politicians are bought and sold by the highest bidders.
Ken, as always, thank you for doing the job of the billion-dollar MSM. Repeating myself yet again, I’m glad I’m old.
Glad you liked it Susan!
Thank you for a laugh in the face of unmitigated disaster that appears to be unstoppable
.
Gingrich?!?
Right ?
Sorry to say I think you're right.
Thanks for this Ken. Maybe it will persuade a few representatives of their responsibility.
Kip I stumbled across your name in an odd way. I was going around and around with an Ai program asking about omissions of newsworthy stories by major media: I got the program to run an algorithm asking if they can detect any serious major media omissions and the program,, Gemini, came up with your list article,
This looks like a more comprehensive list than Nixon’s infamous Enemies List. With today’s software there is not telling how dangerous the list is. Seek a Federal job or benefit or even a job with a large corporation and within seconds you could be denied if your name is on the list and you can never know why.
I am looking for an investigative reporter to advance my work on the tension between peace advocates and war supporters. I am limited by my advanced age and extensive use of Ai, I need a human that cares and can write. Please email me at bjcuva@gmail.com and I will send you my work in progress and maybe we can work together,
Joe Canepa
You could see I need help. Spelled your name wrong.
Daniel Ellsberg wrote for decades about the absurdity of nuclear war planning and the people who engage in it. So casually in some cases, detached from the ramifications.
I like to imagine that inside the nuclear football briefcase is a picture of Hunter’s Hawg that remind everyone that the world is beautiful.
Gee-shush-crist!
Crazy and to be expected of a power-mad administration ever eager to put the other in its place by humiliation or slapping in the face or, what the heck, destruction.
The nuclear deterrent works because the tripwire is the use of a nuclear device, any nuclear device.
To make "small" nuclear yield weapons is insane since conventional weapons can do quite a bit (are you guys at Pickaxe Mountain ready for the next mood swing?). The only thing accomplished by employing "small" nuclear weapons it to invite The End, to make it easier to get there.
That the Trump administration should be considering this development is only further evidence that it does not consider consequences, as has been broadcast to the world with Iran.
At first I thought Trump was merely a quirky egomaniac with a lust for wealth, bad enough for that, but I am beyond convinced that he is insane with a gift for finding other insane or near-insane characters with which to surround himself. Hegseth and Miller come to mind. He loves monuments but the biggest monument of all will be the man, a monument to the abuse of power who almost (still two years+ to go!) destroyed America.
"To make "small" nuclear yield weapons is insane since conventional weapons can do quite a bit".
I quite agree with you, but maybe the assurance that a retaliation is possible against any aggression is a chess game in which no one can "win". that's the only thing that may hold a madman back.
Sadly, that may the be the best we can hope for.
and I don't think it will be successful forever
Any of these assholes who either get to put their hands on the 'nuclear football' or participate in nuclear weapons/warfare policy development should be mandated by (an actually enforceable) law to read at least 10 of the fiction and non-fiction books on this list, and then pass ethics, empathy and scientific knowledge tests.
https://ashtales.com/guides/best-books-about-nuclear-war/
I would add one from my reading experience: "Swan Song" - Robert McCammon
He spends a couple chapters in the beginning describing what it might be like when the missiles and bombs are actually being launched and hitting their targets.
Can we have all branches of government pass these tests in order to be hired?
Hmm. "A blast from the past". Nice word use here, Ken!
On "getting the President's thumb closer to the nuclear weapon", that's the most terrifying thing we could do. Especially with a man (I use that word loosely) like Pete Hegseth whispering masculine goals in his ear.
Those two are folks who should never be anywhere close to the Nuclear button.
We have done everything we could to disarm everyone (except US, of course) and Ukraine followed our bad advice and surrendered its nuclear weapons only to be attacked by one who still has his nuclear arsenal.
Spooky. but I remember De Gaulle's desire to have a "Force de Frappe". The old dude wasn't so dumb after all: Having a nuclear weapon *only* so that France could retaliate if attacked.
Trump and Hegseth, however are a different kind of guys for whom if we can annihilate the whole world 100 times over is better than if we can annihilate it only 99 times over.
Also, the Megalomaniac in Chief doesn't do "deals", like you and I understand deals. He does extorsions: find someone in a tough spot and extract what you can out of them through threats. Look at everyone of his 'deals'. They follow a very predictable pattern Point out to President Zelensky that he has "no cards to play" then get rare earth minerals from him on a vague promise that we will give him token support.
And that's when the threat doesn't slide into outright kidnapping and theft, as in the case with Maduro's Venezuela. He is threatening Iran with "complete annihilation" unless they open the strait of Hormuz. (Well, he appears to have bitten more than he could chew on that one, but hey, he has more nukes...
Maybe the best nuclear future we can dream of now that everyone knows how to build one, is to reduce the arsenal to only what we need to destroy the world only ONE time over.
If everyone had one's own "force de Frappe". It certainly would be cheaper to the masses who are helplessly footing the bill..
I totally thought Newt Gingrich was dead! What the fuck is happening!!!!?!