As a former director of the U.S. Defense Nuclear Agency during the height of the Cold War, I must challenge Molly Ivins’ “Insane nuclear capabilities; Teeny-weeny nukes not the answer to the problem” (Commentary, March 14).
Ivins used all sorts of “cute” adjectives to describe the small, deep-penetrating nuclear devices mentioned in the recent Department of Defense nuclear weapons annual review.
She also wrote that the “rest of the world thinks we’re nuts.”
The author mentions MAD (mutual assured destruction) and Dr. Strangelove to bolster her argument that the United States should get rid of the nuclear weapons it already has–and should not dare to consider any new nuclear weapons technology. She argues that we should pour more U.S. dollars into settling conflicts peacefully, thus ignoring our lack of success in settling conflicts without forceful intervention.
Mutual assured destruction was madness forced upon us by a nation that threatened to destroy our country. Our resolve and MAD eventually destroyed the Communist USSR, and tore down the Iron Curtain.
Being well-informed about the horrible effects of nuclear weapons, I would ardently support a ban on nuclear weapons if I were convinced it could be enforced. Alas, I am convinced that our enemies and potential enemies would really think we were nuts if we did not continue to improve our nuclear weapons arsenal.
