Why You Really Should Be Scared Shitless About Trump and Nuclear Weapons (MoJo)

[highplainsdem]

From David Corn at Mother Jones:

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/10/why-you-should-be-scared-shitless-about-trump-and-nuclear-weapons/

It is indeed worrisome that Trump seemed to adopt a simplistic and dangerous more-is-better approach to nuclear weapons. But what’s even more unsettling, as I have previously written, is that Trump has a history of making comments about nuclear weapons that both display his profound ignorance about this all-important subject and suggest he believes a nuclear conflict is inevitable and perhaps destined for the near future.

Trump first demonstrated he knew little about nuclear weapons in the 1980s, when he repeatedly boasted to reporters that he would make a good nuclear arms negotiator and that the job would be easy. In a 1984 interview with the Washington Post, Trump, then a 38-year-old celebrity developer, said he hoped one day to become the United States’ chief negotiator with the Soviet Union for nuclear weapons. Trump declared he could negotiate a great nuclear arms deal with Moscow. Comparing crafting an arms accord with cooking up a real estate deal, Trump insisted he had innate talent for this mission. He claimed he would know exactly what to demand of the Russians—though he conceded his lack of experience in the technical field of nuclear weaponry. “It would take an hour-and-a-half to learn everything there is to learn about missiles…I think I know most of it anyway,” he said. “You’re talking about just getting updated on a situation.”

-snip-

Over the years, Trump’s reckless and fact-free talk about nuclear weapons has been coupled with remarks showing he has a fatalistic approach and possibly believes a nuclear conflagration is unavoidable. In a 1990 interview with Playboy, Trump said, “I think of the future, but I refuse to paint it. Anything can happen. But I often think of nuclear war.” He explained:

I’ve always thought about the issue of nuclear war; it’s a very important element in my thought process. It’s the ultimate, the ultimate catastrophe, the biggest problem this world has, and nobody’s focusing on the nuts and bolts of it. It’s a little like sickness. People don’t believe they’re going to get sick until they do. Nobody wants to talk about it. I believe the greatest of all stupidities is people’s believing it will never happen, because everybody knows how destructive it will be, so nobody uses weapons. What bullshit…It’s like thinking the Titanic can’t sink. Too many countries have nuclear weapons; nobody knows where they’re all pointed, what button it takes to launch them.

-snip-

In another Playboy interview—this one in 2004—Trump once more conveyed his nuclear despondency. He was asked, “Do you think Trump Tower and your other buildings will bear your name a hundred years from now?” Trump responded, “I don’t think any building will be here—and unless we have some very smart people ruling it, the world will not be the same place in a hundred years. The weapons are too powerful, too strong.”

-snip-

There is much that is alarming about Trump’s nuclear posture. His attitude toward nuclear policy is cavalier. (Hey, this stuff is easy!) He lacks basic knowledge of nuclear matters. And he is reckless in issuing nuclear-ish threats. (During the 2016 campaign, MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough reported that Trump had thrice asked a national security adviser why a president couldn’t use nuclear weapons.) But what renders this terrifying trifecta even more frightening is the nuclear fatalism Trump has voiced throughout the years. If he thinks nuclear war is inevitable, might he feel less restrained when it comes to unleashing weaponry that can destroy human civilization? Tillerson’s use of the m-word has received much media attention, justifiably. But the bigger story by far is that Tillerson’s “moron” is in command of the nuclear arsenal and years’ worth of evidence indicates that Trump wants it to grow, that he’s interested in putting it to use, and that he believes a nuclear catastrophe is bound to happen. That’s a prophecy his own actions and ignorance could well end up bringing about.

[kimbutgar]

1. Hes sounding like Greg Stilson character from Dead Zone everyday now

Except if he holds up a baby to keep from getting shot his cult members will cheer him. Which is frightening in itself.

[Dave Starsky]

9. That's right.

Fox News would call it a "bold, fearless step."

"Barack Obama would never have counted on that gunman not to shoot. And that just shows what a clever and courageous leader our great President Trump is."

[niyad]

2. Dear Goddess, this is even worse than I thought about this clueless, ignorant, illegal

squatter in the people's house.

[Alice11111]

3. I am already. His nanny cabinet needs to 25th Amendmt him

It will be on their heads just as much because everyone knows he is crazy, mentally ill, volitile, & no impulse control.

[bdamomma]

4. this comment is most troubling

I’ve always thought about the issue of nuclear war; it’s a very important element in my thought process. It’s the ultimate, the ultimate catastrophe, the biggest problem this world has, and nobody’s focusing on the nuts and bolts of it. It’s a little like sickness. People don’t believe they’re going to get sick until they do. Nobody wants to talk about it. I believe the greatest of all stupidities is people’s believing it will never happen, because everybody knows how destructive it will be, so nobody uses weapons. What bullshit…It’s like thinking the Titanic can’t sink. Too many countries have nuclear weapons; nobody knows where they’re all pointed, what button it takes to launch them.


What thought process?????

yea you stupid dotard, destructive it will be

this article should be sent to every Senator and Representative.

[JoeStuckInOH]

5. Problem? North Korean Nuking the USA. Solution: Just move east of the Mississippi.

Having to root for the Cleveland Browns is (arguably) better than living within the nuclear reach of North Korea.

[Zoonart]

6. Dear Lord,

that's what we need. Rump as self fulfilling prophecy.

Damn you, Stephen King, I can't get that scene from DEAD ZONE out of my head. "The missiles are flying, Hallelujah."

[CentralMass]

7. There are only two things that scare me...

[bdamomma]

8. K&R

[Wellstone ruled]

10. Well if anyone wants to see

what the aftermath of Nuclear activity,just drive by or try your luck driving to Mercury Nevada. There are a few Google Maps of this area,and those pictures tell you this,where a A-Bomb goes,nothing grows.