Is public opinion more powerful a weapon than a nuclear warhead?

Question

For those that think the answer is no, consider history and your perception or opinion on the use of nuclear weapons. Consider how international public opinion has developed with the internet. Then ask, can I comletely wipe out everyone who has read this with a nuclear warhead? If the answer is no, you can't, then the answer is yes!

Answer 1

Yes.

One nuclear warhead can only destroy a limited area.

Misplaced puplic opinion has the ability to destroy an entire country.

Answer 2

No.

The pen is mightier than the sword, but it isn't more powerful than a thermonuclear warhead.

We now, as a species, have the capability to make ourselves extinct at a drop of a hat (well several thousand nuclear warheads). What use is public opinion if all the people are dead?

Answer 3

Over a million people marched into London to protest against the invasion in Iraq and did the government listen?
Protests by the farmers about fox hunting did they listen?
No in a modern democracy they public opinion does not carry much weight at all.

Answer 4

Dont know but I bet nuclear blast can change the hell out of some public opinion.

Answer 5

Yes. No-one in their right mind would ever resort to using a nuclear weapon. But you forgot about them Texan new-culer ones.

Answer 6

Certainly. Nations are created or destroyed by it's people's opinion about their country. People who lose faith in their leaders, become cynics who criticize "political thugs", tear into them, believing that by exposing their leaders' weaknesses or excesses to the world, that's democractic,do not realize that their enemies rejoice for the propaganda self destruct value handed to them on a silver platter. Atomic bombs may destroy a city or a region but never a whole country. But self immolation before the world, is one sure way to destroy your nation, particuraly when involved in armed conflict

Answer 7

Depends what your goal is. If your intention is to spread your faith by force regardless of what other people think and ruin millions of lives for selfish and narrow-minded motives then no. I would opt for the nuclear option in this case.

Answer 8

Not when it is used.

Of course some people will not use any force, even in legitimate defence of their dependants, just because they are afraid of damaging their "public image". If you need an example, look up Carter and the Iran hostage crisis.

Answer 9

It can end a war. It may well end this one. Victor Hugo once said " Nothing is so powerful as an idea whose time has come" .

Answer 10

Don't know. Lets nuke the Whitehouse and see what the rest of the world thinks.