How easy is it for bush to push the button ?

[moof]

Like can he just call in the football guy & say open it up ?

Also how about backpack nukes since it seems like he would start with those.

Seriously where is the uproar & outrage, the guy has his finger on the button & says "history does not matter because we'll all be dead" and everyone is ok with this ?

[THUNDER HANDS]

1. I wouldn't worry

Complicated instruments like buttons confuse and confound the chimp in chief.

[LynneSin]

2. The guy can't eat a pretzel without choking......

:shrug:

[7th_Sephiroth]

3. actually to authorise a nicilear strike

he has to memorise a combination of numbers and letters, so i dont think he will ever be able to authorise one

[fertilizeonarbusto]

4. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

n/t

[mmonk]

5. He pushes lots of buttons

[AverageJoe]

6. This is a serious question

and I, too, would love to know the answer. If you ask me, it's scary as hell that he has any say whatsoever about nuclear war. I hope to God that there is some sort of failsafe mechanism which mandates that some RESPONSIBLE person also consent to a strike.

[Caution]

7. Look I hate bush too

but seriously folks, i think from context it was pretty clear that bush meant "by the time historians attempt to make sense of this, those of us who are alive today will be long dead" I know there is a natural reaction to take this guy for the worst at every shot (and usually we'd be right to do so) but come on.

For the record, if bush orders a nuclear strike, there is no one cwho can countermand the order. The only way to stop it would be through a military coup.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Yeah, for a guy who thinks the world will end by being consumed by fire

nukes must be a wet dream for him. He realll thinks he can "bring on" Armageddon and thus the Lord's return.

[NNN0LHI]

9. Here. Read it yourself

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/systems/nuclear-football.htm

The Football

It follows the President where ever he goes and is never more that a few steps from his side. It is carried by a military officer who must undergo the nation's most rigorous security background check - the "Yankee White". It contains a secure SATCOM radio and handset, the nuclear launch codes known as the "Gold Codes" and the President's Decision Book - the nuclear playbook that the President would rely on if he would ever have to decide to use nuclear weapons. Its real name is unknown but it is popularly known as "the football".

The concept of the football came about in the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis. President Kennedy was concerned that some Soviet commander in Cuba might launch their missiles without authorization from Moscow. After the crisis, Kennedy ordered a review of the U.S. Nuclear Command and Control system. The result was the highly classified National Secuirty Action Memorandum that created the football.

The White House Communications Agency which oversees the military unit in charge of the Football, was created with personnel from sections of the Defense Communcations Agency, composed of units fo the Defense Communications Operations Unit (responsible for communications and emergency power engineering) and the Defense Communications Support Unit. To work in these units, a candidate must pas a special seucirty investigation, called "Yankee White." The criteria include U.S. citizenship, unqeustionable loyalty , and an absloute absense of any foreign influence over the individual, his family, or "persons to whom the individual is closely linked." The aide who carries the Football come from the four military branches and are ranked Lt.Colonel, naval Comander, or Marine Major. They must be knowledgeable about all aspects fo the overall SIOP, as well as the various options available to the President for implimenting the war plan.

SIOP strategic targeting involves four groups:

more

[kiahzero]

10. I remember reading that "backpack" nukes don't exist

It was when Al Qaeda was talking about how they had suitcase nukes, and scientists were interviewed who said that the technology didn't exist yet.