87 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 79 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing Summarizing
OpEdNews Op Eds    H3'ed 4/23/12

Bunkers for People who Failed Us

By       (Page 1 of 1 pages)   1 comment

Bill Habedank
Message Bill Habedank
Become a Fan
  (1 fan)
While we watch and see how these latest talks go with Iran, some of us retain an uneasy feeling that we may see a series of talks designed to fail just as what led up to the Iraq War. I say this especially after the Casey-Graham--Liebermann bill (Senate Resolution 380) was recently passed where diplomatic relations by United States officials and Iranian officials are prohibitive. A failure of diplomacy of course means war with Iran given the present stance of the United States government because everything remains on the table as they say about our response to diplomatic failure. Israel will of course start the war and the United States will have to finish it and retaliate against Iran's "aggression" toward Israel. Many Americans seem to presume that that will be it -- Iran will be crushed and the whole Middle East and Asia will remain uninvolved.

Of course there are those of us whoknow that the conflict will be much more complicated and in fact tremendously dangerous for the whole world. It would be far more dangerous than even if Iran acquired nuclear bombs because they would never dare usethem. One of the reasons other countries will get involved in this waris because their interests are far different than the United State's. These countries will be impacted very negatively. For instance, this war will start as a bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities and up to a hundred of such targets. These targets will include nuclear reactors and places where highly radioactive elements are stored or used. I live five miles from a nuclear plant producing electric power and which I can see from my house. I know what would happen if a bunker buster bomb penetrated the reactor vessels. In fact, if it happened right now I would have no time to even finish this article. If the wind were blowing just right I would have already received a fatal dose of radiation just by going outside to evacuate.

Imagine this at several or dozens of sites in Iran. It would be like using a nuclear bomb to prevent a nuclear bomb! There would bea radioactive cloud affecting thousands of Iranians but of course the cloud would not stop at the border but would blow onto other surrounding countries, including Russia who has been an ally of Iran. Russia has a right to consider Iran an ally just as we have a right to have our allies. Do you suppose the Russians would act kindly to us as if nothing had just happened? You got that right- no! That may be the reason the Russians are presently putting troops on their nearest border with Iran. They just might be getting ready to defend their country and defend an ally. After examining these scenarios and thinkingabout how this war would play out, I start to question the sanity of my President and elected officials if they let the situation get this far out of control. Do not think for a second that it is only the Iranians out of control because it would be us too. It takes two to tangleas they say.

Why would our officials risk a world war when manyof us feel that there is plenty of room for compromise by both sides? It then dawned on me as I was watching a National Geographic show entitled "American Doomsday". It was about U.S. preparations for a nuclear war or other widespread catastrophe. It was showing the nearly impenetrable bunkers deep under the ground both in and around Washington, D.C. These facilities are designed to preserve our President and keep our government operational. Even in the last ten years or so, billions of dollars have been spent improving these bunkers for our government officials. In 2008, a facility north of Washington, D.C. was finished and it will be a place where our Congress people and important government officials can go in the event ofa nuclear attack but excluding their families. These family members apparently will be fending for themselves just like you and I.

There is even a television broadcast facility at this site where your Congressperson or Senator can go on television and tell you (if you are still alive and have your own bunker with a television) "we have everythingunder control. Do not worry. Your government is still functioning". It would give you a warm and fuzzy feeling knowing that the same people who helped create this catastrophe are still in control! In fact they just might need to stay in their bunkers much longer than planned to avoid facing their constituents face to face. I cannot imagine these officials even entering such a place without their families, can you? The documentary "American Doomsday" even said that the present command and control system for the United States government could be incapacitated by 50 Russian nuclear strikes.

Therefore we have spent billions on these bunkers only to have them probably fail because all defensive fortresses in the history of the world have failed and will continue to fail. What we need are no (yes zero) bunkers for government officials to go hide in so they are subjected to the same risks and hazards as the people they govern. That way they just might act in ways to actually prevent wars. What a concept -- preventing wars. Much cheaper too don't you think?}
Must Read 1   Well Said 1   Supported 1  
Rate It | View Ratings

Bill Habedank Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Peace activist since Sept 2002, Member of Veterans for Peace, Chapter 115 and its executive director, retired veterinarian
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Bunkers for People who Failed Us

Take the Lashing

Final Battle for Peace

Remembering the Word: Perestroika

Compassionate conservatism - it still exists

 Compassion - Where Has It Gone 

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend