Former Secretary of Defense William J. Perry has written an OP-ED in today's New York Times: "Why it's Safe to Scrap America's ICBMs"
Perry makes a very reasoned case for dropping this archaic leg of our Unholy Nuclear Trinity/Triad.
The risk of error, he reminds us, is all too great. If the POTUS, in the less than 30 minutes he or she would have to decide to "use 'em or lose 'em" before an incoming strike takes them out, chooses to use them - Error or Not "once launched they cannot be recalled."
Perry warns: "These missiles are some of the most dangerous weapons in the world. They could even trigger an accidental nuclear war."
Think of trying to call back a bullet just fired from a gun!
Perry is being a bit coy in the essay, however, as he is dedicating the rest of his life to the Abolition of these Weapons and their threat to the world and posterity.That would include our possession of the Nuclear Arsenal of Bombers and Trident Subs he offers as reasons to eliminate the ICBMs.
But he realizes that - even as he has warned "Time is running out"- a crucial first step like the elimination of ICBMs is a START.
Perry concludes: "THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO WIN AN ARMS RACE: REFUSE TO RUN."
READ NYTS Article
SAVE THE DATE SEC PERRY is scheduled to speak in NYC in October.
ABOLITION IN OUR TIME
Perry makes a very reasoned case for dropping this archaic leg of our Unholy Nuclear Trinity/Triad.
The risk of error, he reminds us, is all too great. If the POTUS, in the less than 30 minutes he or she would have to decide to "use 'em or lose 'em" before an incoming strike takes them out, chooses to use them - Error or Not "once launched they cannot be recalled."
Perry warns: "These missiles are some of the most dangerous weapons in the world. They could even trigger an accidental nuclear war."
Think of trying to call back a bullet just fired from a gun!
Perry is being a bit coy in the essay, however, as he is dedicating the rest of his life to the Abolition of these Weapons and their threat to the world and posterity.That would include our possession of the Nuclear Arsenal of Bombers and Trident Subs he offers as reasons to eliminate the ICBMs.
But he realizes that - even as he has warned "Time is running out"- a crucial first step like the elimination of ICBMs is a START.
Perry concludes: "THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO WIN AN ARMS RACE: REFUSE TO RUN."
READ NYTS Article
SAVE THE DATE SEC PERRY is scheduled to speak in NYC in October.
ABOLITION IN OUR TIME