Why are the U.S allowed to have nuclear weapons?

Question

We all have the right to defend ourselves. I can understand why the U.S does not want WMD's in the wrong hands.
But surely if you want to rid a country of neclear weapons you should set an example...

Answer 1

we invented them...

Answer 2

Not a bad thought. One could approach the question from many directions. First, the US was the first to develop such weapons (and obviously the first to use them). Since it was a new realm of possibilities, no one knew where it would lead. I suppose the US government considers themselves "grandfathered" in. Second, the cold war era concept of mutually assured destruction means we have to make sure countries know that they will perish with us if they decide to launch. The only way to be taken seriously on such a promise is to have the ability to follow through - in this case, that would require us to destroy an entire country if we were attacked by them with nuclear weapons. To get rid of them now, while allies and enemies still have them, would mean the US would give up it's seat at the big-boys' table. Something tells me we're not ready to do that... Still, good thought. How about a star!

Answer 3

Brent is right on. I used to work in the weapons industry and asked the same question. In fact, the coalition bans testing of nuclear weapons although we did it extensively in the 40s and 50s. Kind of a necessary hypocrisy?

To the first guy slamming the white man, fine. Stop using your auto, a/c, and other accoutrement's of society or you're just a hypocrite, too.

Answer 4

I disagree, we only used them once and that was on a regime that staged a sneak attack on us. The US has used
extraordinary restraint with nuclear weapons. You know it would be foolish to now disarm ourselves and make us vulnerable to nuclear attack from other countries. We are at the stage now where, we should just blast any state out of existence who tries to develop nuclear weapons.
I get the impression that you aren't an American.

Answer 5

Well the ramifacations of the cold war and the trail of activity since then are a factor. Remember the SALT and SALT II treaties. This was being worked on. But things changed.
I wish no one had nukes but fact is they are there now.
And they arent going away completely.

Answer 6

Because they want to be the Boss. In order to do that, you need to have something to scare others to death.

And i guess you are a kid since you don't know the basic principle of this World that only " Might is Right "

Answer 7

Read the Non-Proliferation Treaty. It gives good background on this theory.

Answer 8

Do you really think other countries will abide by an agreement not to have anything to do with nukes? If you do you are very naive.

Answer 9

We should set the example, then, the Chinese will rule the world. I hear they are nice. Mao only killed 80 million people.

Answer 10

the USA only attacks those who attack the USA first, so the USA can be trusted to have wmd's, and to "daoudi" do not blame white people for your own polluted gene pool.

Answer 11

USA, is a country that had to wipe out a whole race. Millions of murders. since the very first day whites put their feet on this land.
White people are sick, and they will never change.