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No one stopped caring. What we stopped doing was pretending the civilian population could be protected against nuclear holocaust. The bomb that obliterated Hir

No one stopped caring. What we stopped doing was pretending the civilian population could be protected against nuclear holocaust. The bomb that obliterated Hiroshima was a toy next to a thermonuclear bomb, which is 1000 times as powerful. If one lands on Oahu, there won't be anyone to pass out iodine pills in Hawaii, or anyone to pass them out to. Hawaii is just stupid to spend a nickel on an early warning system. The only reason it exists is that too many people don't understand what they're supposedly being warned, or that they are utterly defenseless. Sometimes, the only protection is prevention. This is one.

bostonpete 9y ago
> Hawaii is just stupid to spend a nickel on an early warning system. The early warning system also includes messages for tsunamis, amber alerts, landslides, and high surf. I can't imagine the inclusion of a PACOM warning required any significant additional spending.
nsxwolf 9y ago
Looking at NUKEMAP [1] and playing with Honolulu as a target using the various weapons that are common to nuclear arsenals your claims just sound totally false. It seems like there would be a great chance of survivability in many areas if one were properly sheltered. This doesn't even take into account that Oahu is a mountain which would shield many inhabitants from the air blast. I frankly am glad you are not in charge of the early warning system in Hawaii. [1] http://nuclearsecrecy.com/nukemap/ http://nuclearsecrecy.com/nukemap/
- bonesss 9y ago
  And to extend this hypothetical a little: the nuclear arsenal of people attacking the US is not as good as the one in the US. Odds are anyone dumb enough to throw a nuke at the US is doing so with some really cunning plan in mind hoping for retaliation, and doing so with a nuke that's far from optimal. Russia and China are better served by eating up the US economy (and government!), than balls-to-the-wall war, so it's more likely an country that 'also has nukes' than the players with the real budgets.
- skellera 9y ago
  For anyone wondering, highest estimate for Korea is 280kt. It would take a chunk out of Honolulu but no where near what people assume. As someone living in Hawaii, I’m more worried about the aftermath and how people react. More chaos will be caused by them rather than the bomb.
Houshalter 9y ago
North Korea has H-Bombs now? With accurate missiles?

bostonpete 9y ago

> Hawaii is just stupid to spend a nickel on an early warning system. The early warning system also includes messages for tsunamis, amber alerts, landslides, and high surf. I can't imagine the inclusion of a PACOM warning required any significant additional spending.

nsxwolf 9y ago

Looking at NUKEMAP [1] and playing with Honolulu as a target using the various weapons that are common to nuclear arsenals your claims just sound totally false. It seems like there would be a great chance of survivability in many areas if one were properly sheltered. This doesn't even take into account that Oahu is a mountain which would shield many inhabitants from the air blast. I frankly am glad you are not in charge of the early warning system in Hawaii. [1] http://nuclearsecrecy.com/nukemap/ http://nuclearsecrecy.com/nukemap/

bonesss 9y ago
And to extend this hypothetical a little: the nuclear arsenal of people attacking the US is not as good as the one in the US. Odds are anyone dumb enough to throw a nuke at the US is doing so with some really cunning plan in mind hoping for retaliation, and doing so with a nuke that's far from optimal. Russia and China are better served by eating up the US economy (and government!), than balls-to-the-wall war, so it's more likely an country that 'also has nukes' than the players with the real budgets.
skellera 9y ago
For anyone wondering, highest estimate for Korea is 280kt. It would take a chunk out of Honolulu but no where near what people assume. As someone living in Hawaii, I’m more worried about the aftermath and how people react. More chaos will be caused by them rather than the bomb.

Houshalter 9y ago

North Korea has H-Bombs now? With accurate missiles?