Nuclear Weapons Good/Bad

[Bedfordblue]

 

[Damo_1878]

The general consensus is that nuclear weapons are bad for obvious reasons. But in almost 80 years none have been used internationally to kill anyone and the 2 used on Japan how horrible it was brought an end to WW2 saving alot of other lives rather than the war being dragged on. They have however caused alot of bad health problems and premature deaths to persons involved in tests etc too.

Due to the threat of mutual destruction by the weapons there hasn't been any war directly between the big military powers since. So have nuclear weapons scared leaders into preventing a further world war since?

Do you think they are good or bad?

It takes literally decades to put in place a viable second strike nuclear deterrent (such as the Vanguard/Trident system replacement - Dreadnought class submarines and which involves tens if not hundreds of thousands of jobs in the supply chain to build them and we share a pool of Trident missiles with the USA, whilst building our own nuclear warheads)

If the UK were to start from scratch it would probably take 30 years to put in place a viable nuclear deterrent. For example it is taking 15/20 years for Australia to build AUKUS class attack submarines, domestically. That is with US and UK support and technology transfer.

As a friend of mine (see below):



It is easier to feel less intimidated when you have a credible second strike nuclear deterrent, as we do in the UK. However, you cannot just magic one into existence when you need one, as it can take well over a decade to build one.

As for the OP. No nuclear weapons are not a "good thing". They're weapons of war and in this case a weapon of last resort. However, they protect us from the threats of aggressors and do so 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

 

[rubics]

I read before that at the fall of the soviet union the Russians had left behind alot of nuclear weapons in Ukraine. It was either the Ukrainians didn't know how to use them or they could only be turned on and controlled from Moscow

They gave them all back to be destroyed and Russia signed the treaty that guaranteed them protection for doing so. Sooner Putin is gone and decent Russians get their country back the better.

 

[FrenchDarrenBent]

Of course it's good.
The fun part is: they'll still work in 500 or 1000 years when the political reality and international borders might be totally different.

So if it's not us, it might be our offspring that might enjoy the superheated fireworks.

 

[magicjuan]

The idea of a deterrent is way outweighed by their threat to the planet. They fuel the egos of megalomaniacs and launch codes are at the whim of the most deranged power crazed people.
No war

 

[magicjuan]

It takes literally decades to put in place a viable second strike nuclear deterrent (such as the Vanguard/Trident system replacement - Dreadnought class submarines and which involves tens if not hundreds of thousands of jobs in the supply chain to build them and we share a pool of Trident missiles with the USA, whilst building our own nuclear warheads)

If the UK were to start from scratch it would probably take 30 years to put in place a viable nuclear deterrent. For example it is taking 15/20 years for Australia to build AUKUS class attack submarines, domestically. That is with US and UK support and technology transfer.

As a friend of mine (see below):



It is easier to feel less intimidated when you have a credible second strike nuclear deterrent, as we do in the UK. However, you cannot just magic one into existence when you need one, as it can take well over a decade to build one.

As for the OP. No nuclear weapons are not a "good thing". They're weapons of war and in this case a weapon of last resort. However, they protect us from the threats of aggressors and do so 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

You know deep down that's just patent bollix don't you? Is your last thought when you go to bed, cuddle your teddy and sip your warm milk 'thank god there's thousands of huge bombs around that can wipe billions off the map'?

Think you just like the thought of children being vapourised

 

[Ferguson1878]

You know deep down that's just patent bollix don't you? Is your last thought when you go to bed, cuddle your teddy and sip your warm milk 'thank god there's thousands of huge bombs around that can wipe billions off the map'?

Think you just like the thought of children being vapourised

Weirdo

 

[ste d' indica]

I read before that at the fall of the soviet union the Russians had left behind alot of nuclear weapons in Ukraine. It was either the Ukrainians didn't know how to use them or they could only be turned on and controlled from Moscow

There was actually a lot of Ukrainian expertise on the maintenance and deployment of the Soviet arsenal, however you're correct - c&c was ultimately tied to Moscow.

All of the weapons in Ukraine were removed to Russia in the 90's, at that point Ukraine was actually one of the world's biggest nuclear powers and that was 'problematic'. But the deal was, security assurances from the US, UK and Russia in exchange, which does technically mean that we can give them whatever weapons and support we want at this point including troops without Russia cry arsing.
The political and strategic reality is of course far more complex.

 

[Moomin]

You know deep down that's just patent bollix don't you? Is your last thought when you go to bed, cuddle your teddy and sip your warm milk 'thank god there's thousands of huge bombs around that can wipe billions off the map'?

Think you just like the thought of children being vapourised

I agree, as if he has a friend.

Poppycock.

 

[Hinchcliffe's Corner]

There's a massive nuclear weapon in this thread.

 

[Damo_1878]

You know deep down that's just patent bollix don't you? Is your last thought when you go to bed, cuddle your teddy and sip your warm milk 'thank god there's thousands of huge bombs around that can wipe billions off the map'?

Think you just like the thought of children being vapourised

You've made your views plain in this thread as have I.

There's a massive nuclear weapon in this thread.

Agreed.

 

[Bedfordblue]

….it all depends on who has responsibility to press the red button.

 

[KaiserEFC]

I mean they’re pretty much the worst thing man has ever created.

 

[Daveysgingerlovechild]

I'd quite like one. Just in case, like.

 

[ste d' indica]

I mean they’re pretty much the worst thing man has ever created.

Apart from kopites obviously.