Nuclear Weapons

The discovery of atomic energy ushered in a new world and the growth of the Nuclear Age.  The United States of America led the way in this technological revolution. This creation was discovered with the hope of peace, yet instead has brought forth the means of mass destruction and the anxiety of global annihilation. In a neutral manner, it’s the purpose of this presentation to provide a brief history of the creation, growth, proliferation, current status of nuclear empowered states, and varying viewpoints regarding nuclear proliferation.  In addition, current threats due to nuclear proliferation will be presented, along with thoughts on possibly man’s best opportunity to avoid catastrophe.

Nuclear Weapons History and Overview:

The MANHATTAN PROJECT spawned the 1^st atomic bomb. This ultra-secret project searched for weapons capable of ending the bloody conflict of World War II. In today’s currency, the 1^st atomic bomb cost 20 BILLION DOLLARS to produce. This $20 billion bomb of destruction led to the creation of LITTLE BOY and FAT MAN, the bombs that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bringing an end to the worldwide war of carnage. In 1952, the hydrogen bomb IVY MIKE was tested and wiped the island Elugelab completely off the face of the earth. Later came BRAVO, America’s largest bomb capable of delivering the never-before-seen destructive force of 15 MEGATONS. America dominated the nuclear weapons program leading to an arms race and worldwide nuclear proliferation. Surprisingly, though we never hear anything about it, there are 11 U.S. nuclear bombs that have been lost and never recovered, the “Missing 11”.

How the Nuclear Weapon Era Began

The Nuclear Era Begins:

America gave birth to the 1^st Nuclear Child, a Plutonium atomic bomb that they named Fat Man. The bomb was tested on a special device named Gadget. The nuclear era had begun. At the same time, a twin brother was being conceived. His name was Little Boy, a Uranium bomb. 

The First Hydrogen Bomb

Ivy Mike-The 1^st Hydrogen Bomb:

The size of nuclear family continued to grow with the birth of a new child of destruction, IVY MIKE.  This son was far more powerful than his older brothers on a magnitude of 700X that of LITTLE BOY.  When tested on the island of Elugelab, it wiped it off the map in totality. The age of THERMONUCLEAR weapons had now arrived. Nuclear weapons proliferated and nuclear states emerged.

World Nuclear Weapon States

Nuclear Weapons Proliferate:

As the world powers rushed to build their defense capabilities, the madness of nuclear proliferation swelled. Like its tell-tale sign of detonation, the number of World Nuclear Weapon States mushroomed. There now exist “official nuclear powers”, as well as other “declared”nations, and an ever-growing list of “undeclared” nations. The number of weapons held in inventory is staggering and could obliterate mankind numerous times over.

Storing the World's Nuclear Weapons

Storing the World’s Nuclear Weapons:

Nuclear weapons are stored and located throughout the world, ready to unleash an uncontrollable planetary firestorm at a moment’s notice. More than 2,000 warheads are on high alert, and ready to launch on short notice. The highest concentration of nuclear warheads is at the Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific in Bangor, Washington, which is home to more than 2,300 warheads.

Nuclear Weapons and Power of Countries

Nuclear Weapons in the United States

The Most Powerful: Nuclear Weapons in the United States:

The United States strategic warhead infrastructure makes it stand alone as the world’s remaining Superpower. The numbers within the U.S. Nuclear Warhead Infrastructure are startling in the scope and size of weapons held, nuclear waste produced, and funds allocated for missile defense. Simply to sustain the current nuclear arsenal costs $29.1 Billion each year.  It is important to note that reducing strategic warheads by a 3^rd could potentially save United States up to $9.69 Billion A Year.

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More Bucks, Less Bang

U.S. Nuclear Weapon Massive Defense Spending:

Though extraordinary sums of money are spent on defense, the spending is not always efficient. The Government Accounting Office estimates that last year some $31.1 Billion was lost due to mismanagement. There are currently 96 Major Weapons Programs in place at a cost of $1.58 Trillion. Not all of these funds are for nuclear defense, but a large portion of this figure is allocated for the purpose of nuclear deterrent.

The US Spends on Nukes

New Spending Continues To Escalate:

Currently the US spends $2 MILLION on nukes EVERY HOUR. The Ploughshares Fund estimates that by 2030 this figure will escalate to $4 MILLION spent on nuclear weapons and missiles EVERY HOUR. With each dollar spent the possibility of global annihilation remains firmly in place.

Pros and Cons of Nuclear Proliferation

Varying Views of Nuclear Proliferation:

There are both pros and cons regarding nuclear proliferation.  When Albert Einstein envisioned the dream of atomic energy, he was able to see the many potential benefits that could be experienced by mankind. Nuclear energy used for peaceful purposes is a wonderful and amazing technology.  It is the brainchild and product of pure unadulterated genius. Some Pros and Cons to consider are found below.  In addition, the case study of a real-life nuclear incident gone horribly wrong is analyzed by gazing into the riveting timeline, facts, and figures of The Fukushima Catastrophe.

Nuclear Proliferation Pros

Nuclear proliferation can be considered as a good thing if people will use it to bring peace and abundance in this world. Here are the pros of this process:

• Nuclear proliferation is a good way of eliminating pollution in planet earth. The continual use of this energy as a replacement for fossil fuels can help people in protecting the ozone layer. It is because this kind of energy can be easily burned unlike fossil fuels.

• Nuclear proliferation is a reliable source power that can be converted into electricity. It’s totally different from other sources of energy such as fossil fuels when it comes to reliability. Its supply is unlimited even in the middle of disasters.

• The bad effects of nuclear proliferation to the health of people can be easily prevented. It is a safe source of energy compared to the process of burning a coal which is harmful to the respiratory system of humans.

Nuclear Proliferation Cons

Nuclear proliferation can turn into a very dangerous creation if people will abuse its purposes. And it can harm several people if some individuals are already exploiting its presence. The following are the Cons of this process:

• Nuclear proliferation can be used by people as a powerful weapon to kill many individuals in an instant.

• Other nations may exploit its purposes in dominating the other nations due its capability to make a huge explosion. It’s a very dangerous weapon that can cause fear in the eyes of many people.

• It can cause meltdown in the different parts of the globe which is very dangerous to the people who are relying on it as a good source of power.

• Nuclear proliferation produces radiation that can also kill many people through several kinds of diseases. Radiation is unnoticeable and people should wear the appropriate protective attire for it in the locations where it is present like nuclear plants.

• Its nuclear wastes can destroy the environment because of radiation. If proper disposal was not applied on it, there’s a possibility that people will suffer from several kinds of diseases that can kill them also and the environment will slowly lose its beautiful nature and significant resources for human beings because of the radioactive characteristics of nuclear wastes.

North Korea Nukes

Clear and Present Danger-The Nuclear Proliferation Threat:

Whether we realize it or not, the fact remains that we daily live under the threat of a nuclear strike. In previous times of history, citizens living within the U.S. mostly feared an attack emanating from the USSR or Russia. However, in today’s modern world, new dangers have emerged. There exists the threat of rogue states potentially delivering a nuclear strike. Some view a nuclear empowered North Korea as a threat, or countries with nuclear ambitions such as Iran. Whether these nations are indeed enemies is still left open for debate as negotiations and dialogue with these states regarding nuclear power continues. However, it is almost universally agreed that radicalized terrorists have sought, and continue to seek, the acquisition of nuclear weapons, and these terrorists are considered by experts to be a source of clear and present danger.

North Korea Nukes Could Reach US Mainland: Is Nuclear Weapons Threat Underestimated?

Nuclear Weapon Going off in Manhattan

According to the US President-The Greatest Threat:

President Obama feels that the greatest threat to national security is from that of terrorism, and involves nuclear weapons.  This is an unfortunate consequence of widespread nuclear proliferation.

Obama says he's more worried about the possibility of ‘nuclear weapon going off in Manhattan’ than Russian threat

The President says the Russians ‘don't pose the No. 1 national security threat to the United States,’ despite the Kremlin's land grab of Crimea.

BY JOSEPH STRAW  NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Published: Tuesday, March 25, 2014, 12:59 PM

We Must Disarm

Will The Threat Ever Disappear?

Many persons feel that the dream of a world without nuclear weapons is just that--a childish and unrealistic dream. Especially with the recent ratcheting up of tensions between the United States, NATO, and Russia, this dream appears to be even more illusionary. It would seem, however, that the alternatives are not true alternatives at all. There appears to be only one way to have the children of tomorrow to be free of the threat of nuclear holocaust, and that is to be free of nuclear weapons. Somehow, some way, men of goodwill must discover a way.

The Nuclear Age and the resulting proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is part of the world’s history that undeniably changed the path of society forever. A review of the chronological story of nuclear growth provides much insight into how proliferation of these weapons took place, as well as the state of world affairs and balance of power. The United States led, and many others were to follow. As a neutral bystander, the history of the nuclear weapons program, its science, and proliferation is fascinating. As one of the billions of citizens inhabiting this earth though, the history of the Nuclear Age is both terrifying and totally insane. It is hoped that a sobering glimpse into the destructive capability of the enormous stockpile of weapons may cause us to wisely assess our future. This is the only way out.





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