Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!harpo!floyd!clyde!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!uiuccsb!grunwald
From: grunwald@uiuccsb.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: anti-nuke questions - (nf)
Message-ID: <4009@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 20-Nov-83 22:28:24 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.4009
Posted: Sun Nov 20 22:28:24 1983
Date-Received: Wed, 23-Nov-83 02:45:56 EST
Lines: 36

#R:hou5a:-43700:uiuccsb:11000075:000:1877
uiuccsb!grunwald    Nov 20 16:04:00 1983

   Well, one thing that lots of people mention is the fact that our current
government, and to a lesser extent, the preceeding one, have had a rather
cavilier attitude towards utilizing the nuclear option. When people consider
the use of these weapons to be plausible, one does begin to become a trifle
piqued.
   Additionally, the fact that the shear number of weapons has increased so
dramatically would seem to support a heightened awareness of the nuclear
issues. In this world of 50,000 warheads, one must begin to consider the the
possibilities of accidents and terrorists much more so than in the past. When
the world had but 500 warheads, it wasn't hard to safeguard them all. Now,
several countries have them and no one can insure that those weapons will stay
out of the hands of those loonies in the world who like to see pretty lights in
the sky.
   Also, the reaction time of the various factions in the nuclear club have
become, by neccesity, shortened. With six minutes E.T.A. from West Germany
to the corner of 4th and Lenin Av in downtown Moscow, one can not trust people
to make assumptions on the kind-heartness of their fellows to the point of not
lauching on warning.
   These reasons would seem to justify some intensified interest. One must also
consider that the U.S. has never been inferior to the U.S.S.R. as far as
missles count go. The recent drive by the Soviets to MIRV their missles was,
in fact, an attempt to build pairty with us. We, not being satisfied, have
attempted to surpass them again. It would appear that we shall do this
again and again. So why not stop now?

   Anyway, for a more coherent and facts and figures type of argument, go talk
to people from a local freeze group. You'll find that they usually are willing
to talk.

Dirk Grunwald
University of Illinois
USENET	: ihnp4 ! uiucdcs ! grunwald
CSNET	: grunwald.uiuc@Rand-Relay