Nuclear Weapons and Testing
From Pete Ashdown Campaign Collaboration Wiki
Americans are known throughout the world for their courage, both for their bravery in the face of danger and for their courage to do what is right. The best of us think little of their own lives when working to save others from disaster or tragedy. Today, we must rally our courage to lead the world in the elimination of nuclear weapons.
We all gave a collective sigh of relief when the cold-war ended. The image of school children hiding under their tiny desks practicing their drill in case Russia should ever strike is now, thankfully, a distant memory. However, unknown to many Americans, another grave danger continues today. Rather than the cold-war posturing of two superpowers, poised, ready to destroy each other, the vast numbers of our own stockpile, the real possibility of accidental launch, or the imminent danger of materials falling into terrorist hands continues the greatest threats in the history of humanity.
Throughout the United States' nuclear history, there have been several incidents of accidents and losses involving nuclear material. Worldwide the record is even more astounding. With the former Soviet Union struggling to keep a lid on its nuclear material, this problem is only exaggerated.
The United States can and must lead the world in resolving this dire situation. We must first ascertain what our needs truly are. Are thousands of warheads really necessary to protect this country, and, at what count do they stop being protection and become a liability?
I am firmly against reopening the Nevada test range. It is unnecessary and it exposes Americans to dangerous and lethal radiation. An estimated 80,000 Americans have suffered from the effects of past nuclear testing, of those an estimated 15,000 died. Underground testing offers no guarantees of public safety, and is certainly not safer than no testing at all.
I am against renewed nuclear testing and efforts to renew testing by incremental steps. The proposed "Divine Strake" test at the Nevada Test Site is one of these incremental steps to building new tactical nuclear weapons.
Physicists Letter Against Nuclear War in Iran
List of Nuclear Accidents in the United States
Twenty Mishaps That Might Have Started Accidental Nuclear War
Fifty Year Old Russell-Einstein Manifesto Against Nuclear Weapons
