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China-Japan-Koreas
Nagasaki mayor urges US to scrap `mini-nuke' plans
2004-08-10
Nagasaki's mayor warned yesterday that new nuclear weapons the US wants to develop would cause as much radiation contamination as the atomic bomb dropped on the southern Japanese city 59 years ago, as he marked the anniversary of the attack. At the annual ceremony, Itcho Ito recounted how tens of thousands perished in the World War II bombing of Nagasaki and said many victims continue to suffer. "The `mini-nukes' that the US is trying to develop possess terrible power, despite their smaller size. The radiation destruction they would cause is no different from that of the bomb dropped on Nagasaki,'' Ito told thousands gathered at the city's Peace Park. Ito said Washington must scrap its nuclear arsenal before the world can be free of nuclear weapons. He urged Americans to face the "terrifying reality" that the bomb's victims have lived with since the attack. "It's clear that as long as the world's most powerful country continues to rely on nuclear weapons, other countries can't pursue nuclear non-proliferation," he said in a nationally broadcast speech. "If humankind is to survive the only path left for us is the abolition of nuclear weapons."
You haven't spoken to the Black Turbans by any chance, have you?
Ito pointed to the UN International Court of Justice's 1996 advisory calling for nuclear disarmament and the abolishment of nuclear arms. However, the court's 15 judges were divided over whether to consider the threat or use of nuclear weapons illegal.
Anyone ask the Iranians?
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi yesterday reiterated Japan's policy banning the production, possession and transport of nuclear weapons within its borders. "Our country won't change that stance unless those crazy North Koreans detonate one, then we'll be ready in three months time," Koizumi said, echoing his remarks Friday on the anniversary of the world's first atomic bombing in Hiroshima. Koizumi also vowed to continue pressing for North Korea more nations to ratify a nuclear non-proliferation pact and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which would ban nuclear arms testing and make developing new weapons almost impossible.
Posted by:Steve White

#17  mojo - You're right - it was his invention. Interesting info here, though it has that "looking over your shoulder" feeling of regret here and there. Fuck that noise - only survivors have the luxury - it's called war...
Posted by: .com   2004-08-10 18:18  

#16  .com: what about "Bomber" Harris? Let's not forget Dresden...
Posted by: mojo   2004-08-10 18:04  

#15  Good point, but how do you get exact doses when using a weapon. You might not get a Godzilla but you might end up with something horrible.
Posted by: yank   2004-08-10 17:17  

#14  Yank Godzilla is obviously an example of over-exposure to radiation. Less exposure will get you over a hundred RBI's and some modest power.
Posted by: Super Hose   2004-08-10 16:03  

#13  That may be true Tony, but you are forgetting about some of the regrettable side-effects of nuclear blasts. Godzilla left Nagasaki alone.
Posted by: yank   2004-08-10 15:05  

#12  Actually, people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki are living longer than people in other parts of Japan

From: Using low-dose radiation for cancer suppression and vitalization

"Question: Most people are startled to learn that the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki who had low exposure to nuclear radiation are living longer than those in the Japanese population who had no radiation exposure. How do you explain this?
"

The effect is known as hormesis, and it's just like your mum used to say "a little bit of everything in moderation"

In addition, Tom has a perfectly valid point, as does CrazyFool.
Posted by: Tony (UK)   2004-08-10 13:33  

#11  Maybe I am just old school, because I think dead is dead. Whether by nuke, conventional, smart, napalm, rocket, or slingshot you can be just as dead from each weapon. If by chance we find ourselves in a situation where we can kill a large amount of our enemies in one shot, I don’t really care which weapon they choose. FYI many more were killed from conventional weapons in WWII, nukes just made the process faster and more efficient.
Posted by: Cyber Sarge   2004-08-10 11:13  

#10  Dar - I think you're channeling Hap Arnold and Curtis LeMay perfectly... :^)
Posted by: .com   2004-08-10 10:27  

#9  Wasn't firebombing quite an established science by the end of the war? IIRC, the first wave would use conventional 500 pounders to break open buildings and strew debris around. Subsequent waves would then drop incendiaries to ignite that scattered debris.
Posted by: Dar   2004-08-10 10:22  

#8  Personally I think the mini-nuke idea is a bluff to keep two-bit dictators from spending their cash on super-bomb proof bunkers since by the time the bunker is built it will no longer protect them.

Like the original star wars it does most of its work in the mind of the enemy before it even appears.
Posted by: yank   2004-08-10 10:17  

#7  Factoid:

The Firebombing of Tokyo killed more (100K) then the atomic blast over Nakasaki (70K). (Hiroshima was 140K).
Posted by: CrazyFool   2004-08-10 09:58  

#6  Yep. There we were, minding our own business...
Posted by: tu3031   2004-08-10 09:56  

#5  Of course, no mention of why Nagasaki was a target in the first place...
Posted by: Tom   2004-08-10 09:49  

#4  Of course, no mention of why Nagasaki was a target in the first place...
Posted by: Tom   2004-08-10 09:48  

#3  Mini-nukes are really only intended to kill one dude. Hopefully, Kimmy will be using his outhouse when it hits.
Posted by: Super Hose   2004-08-10 01:30  

#2  Remove the US nuclear umbrella and defense guarantees from Japan and the Japanese will have a nuclear weapons stockpile within 6 months.
Posted by: ed   2004-08-10 00:13  

#1  Whaaa! How about a STFU for Japan when it comes on nuclear weapons.
Posted by: FlameBait93268   2004-08-10 00:09  

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