Weapon of Mass Destruction, WMD

The only weapon of mass destruction is the nuclear bomb. All other weapons can kill large numbers of people, but only nuclear weapons kill and destroy on a much a massive scale. Only nuclear weapons can kill hundred of thousands instantly, over tens of square miles of territory. Only nuclear weapons continue killing over thousands of miles, for hundreds of years.

Biological or germ warfare, like Anthrax or smallpox, can kill hundreds or possibly thousands, but if they are treated quickly, they aren’t that deadly. SARS, which seemed to come out of nowhere, killed a few hundred people, yet was widely feared. Medical practice would quickly diagnose, isolate and treat any disease, to limit fatalities. The only country that I am aware of that used germ warfare was the U.S. against Native Americans.

Chemical weapons, like saran gas, can kill hundreds or possibly thousands, but gases dissipate quickly in air, so they are limited in their destruction. Union Carbide’s chemical spill in Bhopal, India involved thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals, and killed and injured in the thousands of people. During WWI, many nations used mustard gas on a large scale. Nazi Germany used gas to exterminate millions in death camps, over several years. Iraq used Saran gas against Iranians and other groups. A group in Japan used it in a subway attack killing 20.

Dirty bombs, like those that contain radioactive material, would kill in the tens or hundreds, but even those deaths would take years (ten to thirty) to occur. It would take tons of radioactive materials over many years to kill in the thousands. The U.S. and Russia are the only countries that have used these (Depleted Uranium in bombs).

Conventional weapons, like guns and bombs, can kill in the hundreds or possibly thousands, but to kill in even these large of numbers requires huge bombs (in the hundreds or thousands of pounds). 9/11 involved bombs that weighed in the hundreds of tons (747 jets fully loaded with fuel). The Federal building bomb weighed several tons, and it killed in the hundreds. Almost every country has used conventional weapons to kill in the thousands. Many countries have used them to kill in the millions, but this was over months or years. Conventional weapons are the most likely, and effective, mode for terrorists.

Now, don’t get me wrong, deaths in the hundreds or thousands are a great tragedy. I fully agree that we must take some reasonable measures to try to prevent them. But, we need to realize that deaths in the hundreds occur due to building fires. We need to realize that major natural disasters like earthquakes and floods kill in the thousands. We need to remember that to live in this World involves a certain amount of risk (see Security). No matter what we do, we cannot take that risk down to zero. We need to realize that the greatest risk we take every day is to drive or ride in a car. It is completely reasonable to mandate seatbelts, airbags and speed limits. It would be misguided to have a “War on Car Accidents”, in order to reduce the risks.

The only weapons of mass destruction are nuclear bombs. Nuclear bombs are the only ones capable of killing millions, or possibly billions. These are deaths an order of magnitude (10 times, or 100 times) larger than anything else. Only nuclear bombs can destroy everything over tens of square miles. Only nuclear bombs can kill hundreds of thousands instantly, and keep on killing for hundreds of years afterwards. There are only about ten countries that have nuclear bombs. They are: U.S (30,000), Russia (30,000), Germany (200), France (200), Great Britain (200), India (50), Pakistan (50), Israel (20). Due to the current U.S. foreign policy of aggression, many other countries will seek to obtain nuclear bombs. Many may already have one or two. The only country to have used them is the U.S. The only country that openly seeks to use them as an offensive (tactical) weapon is the U.S. (Bunker buster nuclear bombs can be used to strike other countries nuclear silos, requiring their missiles to be fired on the least suspicion of a first strike, thus raising the risk of total nuclear annihilation). The only country that is attempting to create a nuclear missile defense is the U.S. (A strong nuclear missile defense makes using a nuclear offense that much more likely). 

The U.S. has the most WMD. The U.S. is the only country that seeks to develop tactical nuclear weapons. The U.S. is the only country that has used nuclear weapons. Yet, the U.S. hypocritically attacks other countries claiming the need to fight WMD. Until this hypocrisy is fully exposed, it will continue to be used to promote a misguided domestic and foreign policy agenda. The U.S. will be spending billions to line the pockets of weapons manufacturers (corporate welfare), while making cuts in education and environmental protection (social welfare). Please realize that the whole WMD issue is a smokescreen to hide the real motivation, corporate greed (see Greed, Neo-cons, Fear). Please realize that if we want to fight the dangers of WMD, we need to begin at home.