Wake-up Flight of A B-52

[S-2]

From the New York Times editorial board-

Wake-Up Flight of A B-52

"A culture of laxity 'too extreme to be tolerated' has evolved among the nuclear weapon corps, according to the findings by the task force experts from the Defense Science Board. During the cold war, when the nation’s nuclear arsenal was kept honed on daily alert, it was managed by high-ranking senior officers and civilian specialists. But that responsibility has since slipped down the chain of command to Air Force colonels, Navy captains and civilians, the study found. Inevitably, the perception has grown that careers in the nuclear forces are less prized in the current era of conventional warfare than other careers."

The NYT editorial is after-the-fact to the actual investigation and institutional retribution reaped upon the hapless careers of dozens within the Air Force Nuclear Surety Program. Still, it's value lies in the re-affirmation of the important role that a critical and free press played in focusing the nat'l attention on a growing problem and the public and transparent manner in which America is proceeding.

No nation is invulnerable, regardless of institutional safeguards, to a lassitude of responsibility from within it's own ranks. No outward malevolence or conspriracy to undermine was required to create an issue of positive control.

Hopefully, we've learned our lesson.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Absolutely nothing wrong with a Free Press criticizing a "lassitude of responsibility" as you so eloquently put it, but if I correctly understand what you are getting at, no one is arguing/contemplating other nations basing their special forces in the US to protect those assets in the aftermath of this incident. I think that while the world has genuine concerns about Pakistan's nuclear assets , given past proliferation activities from Pakistan and the turmoil within currently, it is the "third party protectors" issue that keeps getting dragged up, rather than a focus on helping Pakistan improve any shortfalls it may have in its nuclear controls, that gets the goat of so many Pakistanis.

The US government has done an admirable job of extending such help and support to us, and many of us are thankful for that, but whether it is out of sheer hatred for anything the Bush administration has its hands in, simple ignorance or a desire for sensationalism, but the Western Press is quite actively fear mongering.

 

[S-2]

Pakistan is the confluence of islamic fundamentalism, governmental instability, and nuclear weapons. Today, that's cause for discussion. More than just America or the west, it's a topic of interest and concern to the world-to include your most immediate neighbors. No doubt this condition in combination with the most wildly contrived and irresponsible speculation sells copy in many parts of the world.

So?

"Fear-mongering" is best combatted by reducing or eliminating the cause for concern. If all three legs of the stool are an issue by themselves or in combination with one another, there will continue to be speculation by the press. It sells until the issue holds no credibility, Bush or no Bush.

Eliminate nuclear weapons, governmental instability, and/or islamic fundamentalism and you will no longer have a "fear-mongering" western/eastern/everywhere else press.

As things stand, the issue will be publically speculated upon for some time yet it might seem.

 

[fatman17]

Eliminate nuclear weapons, governmental instability, and/or islamic fundamentalism and you will no longer have a "fear-mongering" western/eastern/everywhere else press.

As things stand, the issue will be publically speculated upon for some time yet it might seem.

1. elimate nuclear weapons --> sorry u r barking up the wrong tree.
2. govt. instability and / or islamic fundoism --> yes i would like to see things improving here drastically.

we'll take the speculation, have been for some time.

 

[S-2]

"and/or"

There's a reason for the above caveat.

Sadly, Pakistan won't be volunteering it's nukes. Better figure out the other two. Pakistan will be newsworthy until then.

 

[fatman17]

"and/or"

There's a reason for the above caveat.

Sadly, Pakistan won't be volunteering it's nukes. Better figure out the other two. Pakistan will be newsworthy until then.

and the hits keep on coming...