I am a retired B52 pilot, is it hard to understand why I am against nuclear weapons?

Question

During the Cold War, the B52 could carry enough nuclear weapons to make me the single largest mass murderer in the history of man. I am proud of the fact that by doing my job, I never had to do my job. I am partly responsible for the end of the Cold War. But each time I hear of some insignificant country getting nuclear weapons or other countries losing nuclear weapons, I weep. The time for the Cold War is over. The time for a new Cold War is ripe and is very very wrong. I believe that all the major powers should stop the proliferation by all means possible, with military force being the last means possible choice.

BringTheDogBackNow would you like to see my DD214? Other than that, take your trolling elsewhere.

MS D, I think you missed the point. I was never hit with one.

I am not for the United States getting rid of Nuclear Weapons. I am against all nations of the world having nuclear weapons. I would love to wake up in the morining and see that Peace has broken out all over the world.

Answer 1

You are to be commended for your humanitarian stance and compassionate line of reasoning, my friend. I totally agree with you. Unfortunately, history has taught us that: If Humanity has it; the politicians WILL find a way to use it. BTW, we must never forget the fact that atomic bombs/nuclear weapons have been used in the past:

- Twice against civilians (Hiroshima and Nagasaki);
- Numerous times in nuclear weapons testing (w/ potentially long-lasting environmental impacts);
- At least once or twice, out of unadulterated incompetence, in the form of nuclear reactor meltdown disasters, nuclear weapons accidents, etc. (Chernobyl, etc.) with considerable loss of life and lasting global impact;
- And that's not considering the ongoing and out-of-control radioactive waste pileup and disposal mess.

Even with the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament treaties in place, there are still enough nuclear arsenals in the world to warrant serious concern. Now add to that, totalitarian nuclear power wannabee nations like North Korea and Iran, major nuclear power states in denial, such as Israel [that "somehow" to this day has managed to maintain an officially ambiguous position with respect to its nuclear weapons and delivery status], and old enemies like India and Pakistan constantly at each others throats, and you (per se) quickly realize that Humanity is by NO means out of the nuclear danger zone. ... In this case at least, let's really hope that "future isn't what it used to be"!
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P.S. Thank you for your wonderful and conscientious question!
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Answer 2

Nuclear weapons? Devastating. So powerful that we cannot bomb the "enemy" without also harming ourselves. So powerful that there will be years and years, decades and decades, etc. of harmful repercussions. A nuclear war is a war that no one could win. It would mean the end of life as we know it. The earth would regenerate in time, but what would happen to humankind?

It is not at all hard to understand why you would be against nuclear weapons.

Thank you for your question, Bill. I pray that a whole lot of people are paying attention.

Answer 3

I can certainly understand your point of view,its a shame but necessary thing to have nuclear weapons as many have answered you as a "deterrant".The one true thing about men,is they learn to destroy faster than they learn to build,and the things they learn to build,have tendencies to be looked at for destruction.Its our nature,other than a deterrent,its also great that with the invention of Nuclear weapons,its slowed us all down from creating even more nastier ideas,like one bomb etc,that would totally anihallate us all in seconds instead of many that would take 13 minutes.Thank you for your service,you are appreciated,and admired.

Answer 4

The major powers SHOULD stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons...

...and if it takes using nuclear weapons on one of these mass-murdering dirt-poor morally bankrupt stone age regimes, I say go for it.

An A-bomb or 20 on Tora Bora would make me sleep easier at night.

Answer 5

Bill I can't say I know exactly how you feel with key word on weapons. However the age of nuclear intelligence has created new jobs and other areas for positive solutions to an abundant amount of problems- be proud of your participation.

Answer 6

I agree with you but if you're right then we are doing things wayyy *** backwards. Reagen deterred our enemies by creating a strong military. who are we going to deter with a 250,000 man Army and one that is weak from 4 and 5 rotations in battle?
The only way we could raise an army that would intimidate our foes is to induct a draft and since we as a people are unwilling to do that then we will continue to suffer the consiquences.

Answer 7

I think nuclear weapons are horrible too, just like I think war is horrible, but that doesn't stop other people from having and using them. I'm stumped at how to stop it. I think if other countries have them, so should we.

Answer 8

Against nuclear weapons?
Are you crazy?
If you're against nuclear weapons you obviously have never played Star Craft.
Answer me this.
Without nuclear weapons how would anyone get beyond level 9?
In fact, along with all the conventionals, it takes a minimum of 2 ghost recons and several nuclear bombs just to counter the aliens. You can forget getting to level 15.

Answer 9

I understand you 100% , in fact I aways wonder about the Ret. or active military personnel who have seen the horror of war, but still support it.
I admire your courage and my hat off to you Sir.
You are a civilized 21st century human being, and that's some thing to be proud of.

My Best Regards.

Answer 10

You don't even need to carry nukes on your airplane to not want nukes. Just see Hiroshima or Nagasaki, and you will want rid of them. If people had any brains, they would send all nuclear weapons into deep space as soon as possible.