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- Jul 30, 2004
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<Guys, a friend wrote this for publication. I think his points are noteworthy, very much so. What do you think of the 4th of July surprise? Post your thoughts, please.>
Missile launch caught citizens by surprise
While celebrating my favorite holiday of the year this year Independence Day little did I, or millions of other Americans, know that over 6,000 miles and half a world away a crazed dictator was launching a salvo of missiles pointed in our general direction.
Millions of Americans were celebrating in the grand tradition of parades, cookouts, picnics, water sports and the countrys return to space with the launch of the space shuttle Discovery. All the while, oblivious that another military power was preparing and lighting fireworks of their own.
Although analysts assure us the tests were failures, were they? Did North Korea learn anything about their missiles, our military response or Americas reaction? What struck me most was that no one knew or heard about the launches as they were underway except the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) and the most senior defense officials.
What if these missiles would have made it to one of our west coast cities or Alaska? What if one of those missiles had a radioactive surprise on the tip of it? At what point would the authorities have alerted the millions of Americans who lived at the point of impact or would they? Our analysts tell us they dont think North Korea has the technology. However, our analysts have been wrong before.
Where are the fallout shelters to protect those who manage to survive a nuclear blast from the radiation that will fall across the land? Are there evacuation plans for a nuclear attack? If so, where will the population go? How much warning will we have? Will you have time to pick up your children at school or daycare? Will you be able to meet or reach your spouse at work? Where will you get food or medicine in the days following an attack?
All these are troubling questions. Is there a plan? Unless you have one for you and your family, the answer is a clear NO. It is clear that Americans would largely be on their own to fend and fight for themselves. A doomsday scenario considered by military planners on both sides during the Cold War but in todays environment, it seems all too plausible to me as well.
Sixty years ago this week in 1945, the United States had the will to do what had to be done to save the lives of what would have been hundreds of thousands of American soldiers we dropped an atomic bomb on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. Harnessing the power of the atom and the will of a country at war, we averted the necessity of a land invasion of the Japanese mainland and brought a nation and its people to their knees.
In contrast, Japan is now inviting a nuclear powered U.S. aircraft carrier to make its home there as Japan stares down the barrels of North Koreas missile tubes. A great enemy is now one of our closest allies and trading partners.
While we would not think of using a nuclear missile or bomb as a first strike weapon today, are we so sure that other nations wont? Can we be certain that leaders who sponsor terrorism or rogue states wouldnt use them either? As Dan Rather would have said, Dont bet the trailer rent money on it.
As I watched the evening newscast on July 4, my young daughter stood by me and took my hand. She watched and listened as the newscaster reported the North Korean missile launch with colorful graphics and a sense of seriousness in his voice. Her question gave me pause. Dad, is that rocket coming here? she asked. For the first time, I actually stopped to wonder if this was how Israeli children felt at the daily bombardments from Palestinian and Hezbollah rockets and mortars.
After reassuring her and calming her fears, I remembered the images and feelings I had as a young child when my schoolteacher handed out the booklet In Time Of Emergency: A Citizens Handbook on Nuclear Attack and Nuclear Emergency. Printed in March of 1968 by the now defunct Office of Civil Defense, this booklet discussed preparations and personal responsibility. On page 18 it reads: An enemy attack on the United States probably would be preceded by a period of international tension or crisis this warning time might be as little as 5-15 minutes in some locations, or as much as an hour or more in other locations. Or, maybe the warning would not come at all.
Then, the enemy was considered a Communist power. Today, its any deranged or religious zealot with a nuclear weapon.
While Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon all paid some lip service to Civil Defense, since the Cuban missile crisis of the early 60s, it seems Americans never really demanded public funding or a mass civil defense program. Do we think it wont happen here? Do we think President Reagans Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars) concept is now a reality? Do we think oceans protect us still?
No. Its not the threat of a nuclear strike from Russia or China Im concerned about. Its the brutal dictatorships religious extremists of this world that have no restraint or regard for human life that I dont trust with nuclear technology.
Just as most Americans felt truly vulnerable on September 11, 2001, thats how I felt when I learned about the launch of missiles aimed in the direction of my country. While Kims Taepodong was a fizzling failure, the only real comfort I had was knowing we had a bold and decisive President in office with a Secretary of Defense whose finger was on the trigger and ready.
A friend of mine who works at high levels in Emergency Management told me the key to any plan is going to be personal responsibility.
We laughed when former Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge suggested duct tape as means to seal your windows at home from biological agents in a terrorist attack.
The emphasis of his message was clear then and even more so now: You will be on your own. Prepare now while you can. If were lucky, maybe well never have to hear that ominous tone on the radio, Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeep. This is the Emergency Alert System If we do, where will you be and what will you do?
Missile launch caught citizens by surprise
While celebrating my favorite holiday of the year this year Independence Day little did I, or millions of other Americans, know that over 6,000 miles and half a world away a crazed dictator was launching a salvo of missiles pointed in our general direction.
Millions of Americans were celebrating in the grand tradition of parades, cookouts, picnics, water sports and the countrys return to space with the launch of the space shuttle Discovery. All the while, oblivious that another military power was preparing and lighting fireworks of their own.
Although analysts assure us the tests were failures, were they? Did North Korea learn anything about their missiles, our military response or Americas reaction? What struck me most was that no one knew or heard about the launches as they were underway except the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) and the most senior defense officials.
What if these missiles would have made it to one of our west coast cities or Alaska? What if one of those missiles had a radioactive surprise on the tip of it? At what point would the authorities have alerted the millions of Americans who lived at the point of impact or would they? Our analysts tell us they dont think North Korea has the technology. However, our analysts have been wrong before.
Where are the fallout shelters to protect those who manage to survive a nuclear blast from the radiation that will fall across the land? Are there evacuation plans for a nuclear attack? If so, where will the population go? How much warning will we have? Will you have time to pick up your children at school or daycare? Will you be able to meet or reach your spouse at work? Where will you get food or medicine in the days following an attack?
All these are troubling questions. Is there a plan? Unless you have one for you and your family, the answer is a clear NO. It is clear that Americans would largely be on their own to fend and fight for themselves. A doomsday scenario considered by military planners on both sides during the Cold War but in todays environment, it seems all too plausible to me as well.
Sixty years ago this week in 1945, the United States had the will to do what had to be done to save the lives of what would have been hundreds of thousands of American soldiers we dropped an atomic bomb on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. Harnessing the power of the atom and the will of a country at war, we averted the necessity of a land invasion of the Japanese mainland and brought a nation and its people to their knees.
In contrast, Japan is now inviting a nuclear powered U.S. aircraft carrier to make its home there as Japan stares down the barrels of North Koreas missile tubes. A great enemy is now one of our closest allies and trading partners.
While we would not think of using a nuclear missile or bomb as a first strike weapon today, are we so sure that other nations wont? Can we be certain that leaders who sponsor terrorism or rogue states wouldnt use them either? As Dan Rather would have said, Dont bet the trailer rent money on it.
As I watched the evening newscast on July 4, my young daughter stood by me and took my hand. She watched and listened as the newscaster reported the North Korean missile launch with colorful graphics and a sense of seriousness in his voice. Her question gave me pause. Dad, is that rocket coming here? she asked. For the first time, I actually stopped to wonder if this was how Israeli children felt at the daily bombardments from Palestinian and Hezbollah rockets and mortars.
After reassuring her and calming her fears, I remembered the images and feelings I had as a young child when my schoolteacher handed out the booklet In Time Of Emergency: A Citizens Handbook on Nuclear Attack and Nuclear Emergency. Printed in March of 1968 by the now defunct Office of Civil Defense, this booklet discussed preparations and personal responsibility. On page 18 it reads: An enemy attack on the United States probably would be preceded by a period of international tension or crisis this warning time might be as little as 5-15 minutes in some locations, or as much as an hour or more in other locations. Or, maybe the warning would not come at all.
Then, the enemy was considered a Communist power. Today, its any deranged or religious zealot with a nuclear weapon.
While Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon all paid some lip service to Civil Defense, since the Cuban missile crisis of the early 60s, it seems Americans never really demanded public funding or a mass civil defense program. Do we think it wont happen here? Do we think President Reagans Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars) concept is now a reality? Do we think oceans protect us still?
No. Its not the threat of a nuclear strike from Russia or China Im concerned about. Its the brutal dictatorships religious extremists of this world that have no restraint or regard for human life that I dont trust with nuclear technology.
Just as most Americans felt truly vulnerable on September 11, 2001, thats how I felt when I learned about the launch of missiles aimed in the direction of my country. While Kims Taepodong was a fizzling failure, the only real comfort I had was knowing we had a bold and decisive President in office with a Secretary of Defense whose finger was on the trigger and ready.
A friend of mine who works at high levels in Emergency Management told me the key to any plan is going to be personal responsibility.
We laughed when former Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge suggested duct tape as means to seal your windows at home from biological agents in a terrorist attack.
The emphasis of his message was clear then and even more so now: You will be on your own. Prepare now while you can. If were lucky, maybe well never have to hear that ominous tone on the radio, Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeep. This is the Emergency Alert System If we do, where will you be and what will you do?
