CONPLAN 8022

[ajdean]

This link will take you to the Washington Posts story: Dated May 15, 2005
read article (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/14/AR2005051400071.html)

Your opinions are welcome on this subject as it effects us all, my question is should this plan remain in effect? If left in effect should some of the conditions of the plan be changed including the use of Nuclear Weapons? Sound the average American Citizen have a say in this policy towards other contries? Could this possibly trigger an all out Nuclear War?

[GoingNova]

This link will take you to the Washington Posts story: Dated May 15, 2005
read article (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/14/AR2005051400071.html)

Your opinions are welcome on this subject as it effects us all, my question is should this plan remain in effect?

IMHO, absolutely. Our enemies have nuclear weapons, we need to have them.

If left in effect should some of the conditions of the plan be changed including the use of Nuclear Weapons?

IMHO, no, the plan is a sound one.

Sound the average American Citizen have a say in this policy towards other contries?

We live in a representive democracy, via a republic. We do not live in a pure democracy. The average American citizen does have a say in policy in so much as they vote to elect people that share their views. I do not believe a pure democracy would every work.

Could this possibly trigger an all out Nuclear War?

I doubt it. I believe the best offense is a strong defense. I also believe in being tough with enemies of this country. China has ICBMs now (thanks to that genius Bill Clinton), North Korea has nuclear weapons, and the former Soviet Union missiles have not all be accounted for. My point is, I see no choice but for the United States to deploy such a policy since the our potential adversaries have nuclear weapons.

I am a believer in good and evil. I believe someone like the Kim Jong-il is evil. I believe that Saddam is evil. I believe terrorists are evil. I do not believe in saying, "Well, you have to see it from his point of view", nor do I believe we should "think about why terrorists do what they do". In a world where evil exists, you need to have weapons and be prepared to use them, because evil people are not going to behave rationally or listen to talks of peace. History has proven this to us, time and time again. Two words: Adolf Hitler.

[Damm]

Well, the sad thing is that Nuclear weapons wouldn't have even deterred Adolf Hitler, but thankfully he's dead, and these days people are much less willing to have their countries be blown to smithereens.

I think it's a fine plan. I mean, I highly doubt that the US is going to start bombing people left-right-and-centre with nuclear attacks, it's just a "we have a plan, so don't try anything" type of thing.

[ajdean]

My concern is that Congress not some order issued through the executive should have the final say in this matter. Congress under the Constitution is the only one with the power to declear war, it is my opinion that launching any sort of Nukes is an act of war and therefor it is the responsibility of the congress and not the executive. Another concern is with this order in place we are currently in a dangerous situation, congress is in recess starting July 30- Sept 4th, even if it wasn't a total Nuclear event it would allow the administration a "Guns of August" style attack on any country of its choice. Also, under CONPLAN 8022 the administration has already placed the "mini nukes" under the control of theater military commanders. The use of conventional forces by the executive can be undone by Congress, if this plan was carried out and it used Nuclear Weapons, the executive overrides its authority as directed by the Constitution and Congress can't do anything about it. I believe when the use of Nuclear Weapons comes in to play that it should be done with reguards to the Constitution and should be authorized by Congress the proper body as directed by the Constitution to declear war.

[ANGLOIRISH]

This is the lazy man's way out of a post, however, this AM I am going to utilize this option. Please read Nova's reply and add my name to it as co-author! Oh no plagiarism, shoot me!