This is all good perspective. Mostly I don’t disagree with what you wrote, just a few comments:
In terms of decisions, I’m not necessarily saying that the public should decide, but that the public at least should be aware and involved.
Your comment about alternative uses for the money is correct—my original point was a bit simplistic!
My original post didn’t talk enough about deterrence, but in a response to another comment I mentioned the key point I missed: the US will still have 900 submarine-based missiles as their deterrent. Much as I personally would love to be nuclear-weapon-free, I am not suggesting that the US could safely get rid of these, and I believe they provide an adequate deterrent.
Your insight that some of the upgrades may increase safety is a good one—I hadn’t considered that.
Maybe I’m just idealistic, but I believe we need to see more efforts at more reduction of nuclear arsenals, and that this might be a time to try. I totally agree it won’t be easy!
Overall, thanks for this. It is always appreciated when someone takes the time and effort to critique a post in some depth. Cheers!
Thanks Daniel,
This is all good perspective. Mostly I don’t disagree with what you wrote, just a few comments:
In terms of decisions, I’m not necessarily saying that the public should decide, but that the public at least should be aware and involved.
Your comment about alternative uses for the money is correct—my original point was a bit simplistic!
My original post didn’t talk enough about deterrence, but in a response to another comment I mentioned the key point I missed: the US will still have 900 submarine-based missiles as their deterrent. Much as I personally would love to be nuclear-weapon-free, I am not suggesting that the US could safely get rid of these, and I believe they provide an adequate deterrent.
Your insight that some of the upgrades may increase safety is a good one—I hadn’t considered that.
Maybe I’m just idealistic, but I believe we need to see more efforts at more reduction of nuclear arsenals, and that this might be a time to try. I totally agree it won’t be easy!
Overall, thanks for this. It is always appreciated when someone takes the time and effort to critique a post in some depth. Cheers!