I'm watching the current 24 and the VP is calling for a Nuclear strike with out authorization from anyone. Can that really happen?
2007-03-20 13:00:47 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Imminent attack will require immediate response, sorry. The hair triggers of the SLBMs and trident missile silos negate civilian control beyond the commander-in-chief...have you heard of the 'launch on warning' policy?... The current dual sytem of nuclear authorization epitomized in the PAL system operates on the SIOPS...the options for retaliation, this system assumes at least 28 minutes to respond. Less than 28 minutes warning, and the system reverts to the launch on warning.. I've read that the Pentagon has also looked at pre-emptive strike scenarios....that's the real scary scenario.
2007-03-20 18:54:30 · answer #1 · answered by Its not me Its u 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If Congress has already declared war, or already authorized the use of military force against a target, then it is up to the executive to determine the proper type of force.
So, given previous Congressional authorization for the conflict, the President could order the use of nuclear weapons as Commander in Chief.
Note -- there may be a specific federal statute that applies to the use of nuclear weapons, as different from any other type of force. I've haven't checked.
2007-03-20 20:04:41 · answer #2 · answered by coragryph 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If we are under attack, the decision to retaliate or defend our country is pretty much in the hands of the president, provided he is capable of doing so. After that, the decision is in the hands of the Vice-president.
Hopefully, we will never be in a position to rely on Nancy Pelosi to make the call to sink or swim, I'm sure she would call for a consensus !
2007-03-20 20:08:21 · answer #3 · answered by briang731/ bvincent 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes. the president is the commander in chief of the usa armed forces including our nuclear arsenal. congress has no constitutional authority over the military.
2007-03-20 20:06:31 · answer #4 · answered by mcc123 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
COMANDER IN CHIEF. Yes he is authorized to deploy the military and its resources without the approval of congress. However congress has to approve funding. But how expensive could it be to fire the missles.
2007-03-20 20:08:24 · answer #5 · answered by Paladin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the president gave an order to launch, and it is not justified, the Generals in charge can refuse the order. Every soldier needs to know the difference between an order and an illeagal order.
2007-03-20 20:23:33 · answer #6 · answered by idaho69442 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes. How on Earth would you get everyone together and have a vote, much less a debate, on something like that?
That's why we have a Commander in Chief.
2007-03-21 10:20:26 · answer #7 · answered by American citizen and taxpayer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Pres..has the authority to launch...period
2007-03-20 20:05:24 · answer #8 · answered by Real Estate Para Legal 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
President may lauch a nuclear attack if god whispers kill them all. hehehehe. See bush at the bar with his cocaine?
2007-03-20 20:04:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I believe he would need at least one other high ranking official to agree with him.
2007-03-20 20:23:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋