I grew up in Charleston, South Carolina. In the 70’s (and probably now too), Charleston was a rich military target. We schoolchildren were often directed to watch films about the proper response to a nuclear missile attack. Duck and cover, turn away from the blast, get under your desk. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, I remember thinking how glad I was that the likelihood of nuclear missile attack had been diminished and I wouldn’t have to think about my kids growing up with the paranoia of such an attack. Well a news story today has taken that away.
February 12, 2003
While testifying at a Senate committee hearing in Washington, CIA Director George Tenet was asked whether North Korea had a ballistic missile capable of reaching the U.S. West Coast. Before answering, Tenet turned to very quickly consult with aides sitting behind him. “I think the declassified answer, is yes, they can do that,” Tenet said.
April 29, 2005
The Pentagon’s top military intelligence officer said yesterday that North Korea has the ability to arm a missile with a nuclear device, stunning senators he was addressing and prompting attempts by other defense and intelligence officials later to play down the impact. The statement by Vice Adm. Lowell Jacoby before the Senate Armed Services Committee marked the first time that a U.S. official had publicly attributed such a capability to North Korea. Although U.S. intelligence authorities have said for years that North Korea possesses nuclear weapons and could likely reach the United States with its long-range rockets, they had stopped short of asserting that North Korea had mastered the difficult task of miniaturizing a nuclear device to fit atop a ballistic missile. Jacoby, head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, said U.S. intelligence agencies believe North Korea has developed multistage intercontinental missiles with nuclear warheads capable of hitting the United States. A two-stage missile is believed capable of striking “Alaska and Hawaii, and I believe a portion of the Northwest,” he said.
So now, due to George’s incompetence, Bolton’s assholeyness, the determination of the North Koreans to successfully implement nuclear weaponry, and AQ Khan’s cut-rate Pakistani Nuclear Bazaar, we find ourselves faced again with the prospect of nuclear ballistic missile attack on our country. George and John couldn’t even sustain the dialogue that Clinton and Allbright initiated. Its as if Bushco wants to doom the country. How can any person say they feel more secure with these people in charge?
