The events of September 11 have indeed changed many things. But importantly from the perspective of anti-nuclear activists, it jolted millions out of denial and a false sense of security. We all watched in disbelief, horror, and profound sadness as explosions and fireballs from jet planes loaded with fuel took the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent civilians. Yet what we saw was a fraction of the kind of devastation that nuclear weapons cause. The World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks made what had become the subject of Tom Clancy thrillers a very real possibility to many again.
And what we have long suspected has been confirmed. Terrorists are trying to go nuclear. If they do, the horrors of September 11 will pale against the death and destruction that will result from just one relatively small nuclear bomb. A recent study by IPPNW’s US affiliate Physicians for Social Responsibility found that a 12.5-kiloton nuclear weapon — the same size as the one used on Hiroshima — exploded in New York City would kill 52,000 people immediately from the blast and thermal effects. Another 200,000 more would later die from the intense radiation produced by the explosion. Clearly, there could be no meaningful medical response to such a catastrophe.
The Bush Administration wants US citizens and, indeed citizens throughout the world, to believe that it is moving in directions that will make the world safer from the threat of nuclear war. They want people to believe that they are moving beyond the Cold War mindset. Nothing could be further from the truth, and here are some of the reasons why.
And what we have long suspected has been confirmed. Terrorists are trying to go nuclear. If they do, the horrors of September 11 will pale against the death and destruction that will result from just one relatively small nuclear bomb. A recent study by IPPNW’s US affiliate Physicians for Social Responsibility found that a 12.5-kiloton nuclear weapon — the same size as the one used on Hiroshima — exploded in New York City would kill 52,000 people immediately from the blast and thermal effects. Another 200,000 more would later die from the intense radiation produced by the explosion. Clearly, there could be no meaningful medical response to such a catastrophe.
The Bush Administration wants US citizens and, indeed citizens throughout the world, to believe that it is moving in directions that will make the world safer from the threat of nuclear war. They want people to believe that they are moving beyond the Cold War mindset. Nothing could be further from the truth, and here are some of the reasons why.