Has anyone watched Crimson Tide? Reminded me: intelligence should outweigh tenure in this election.

[1Hippiechick]

I have watched this movie a few times over the years, but never have I been reminded more about the importance of an intelligent leader who RESPONDS rather than REACTS when faced with a crisis. I couldn't help but draw a parallel between Denzel Washington's character and Obama; and between Hackman's character and McInsane. Sure, it's just a movie, but the message was clear: How easily a nuclear war and the destruction of mankind could have happened. Since 1996, execution of firing missles is now the responsibility of the President. Message is still the same: Do we want a trigger-happy-button-pushing President, or a thoughtful, intelligent President?

For those unfamiliar with the movie, below is the summary of the movie plot: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112740/plotsummary
Instability in Russia results in the deployment of the the nuclear submarine "Alabama". Russian rebels have taken over a nuclear missile site and are refueling them for a possible strike against the USA. Tensions run high undersea, when the launch message is received, followed by an incomplete followup. Could the followup message have been to cancel the earlier orders? Written by Rob Hartill

As the Russian civil war gradually gets worse, The U.S. Navy gets activated. Fearing a Nuclear fallout, upstart Commander Hunter and veteran Captain Ramsey along with several other naval officers aboard a Nuclear missile submarine to avert the attack on the United States. But, due to some misunderstanding, Hunter and Ramsey begin to quarrel for command of the Submarine. Written by John Wiggins

In the near future, Russian rebels have taken over one of the ICBM bases in the USSR. Alarmed by the prospect of a rebel strike, the U.S. sends the U.S.S. Alabama, a nuclear ballistic submarine, to watch over the base and retaliate in case they launch. While on patrol, the submarine is attacked and the radio systems are knocked out. An emergency message received during the battle is only partially recovered. Captain Ramsey believes it to be the order to launch on the rebels, while XO Hunter wants to wait for a confirmation message. The conflict escalates into mutiny as Ramsey and Hunter fight for control of the Alabama's nuclear missiles. Written by Patrick McCormick {[e-mail]}

[Submariner]

1. I was on subs in the late '60s

The officers that scared the bejeezus out of me were the Annapolis grads. Overly Gung Ho about every little thing, looking for a fight, like that airhead Palin. Officers from other universities wanted to do a good job and finally get out and have a normal life. The Annapolis types tended to be the career Navy types destined to a life of kissing ass to get to the Admiral's rank.

BTW, there is no way ALL the radio/satellite communications would go down at the same time resulting in a U.S. first launch. The Russians, not so much, but they seemed to still have cool heads when we had some hot chicken-of-the-sea skirmishes, otherwise there would probably be no DU to post on. The survivors would still be digging themselves out of the radioactively hot rubble.

[1Hippiechick]

2. OMG! Do you think Crimson Tide was an accurate presentation?

[Submariner]

3. No

There are more safeguards in place than shown in the movie, to prevent the release of nuclear weapons. The movie was more hollywood than reality based.