in light of the Nuke thread, what would happen if:

[NeoV]

For the sake of discussion, lets say we wake up tomorrow to find that a nuke, the equivalent of what we dropped on Nagasaki, has been detonated in LA..hundreds of thousands of fatalities, if not more...

The left of course screams that Bush hasn't, clearly, done enough to protect us....the right says it was inevitable, they did all they could...blah blah blah...back and forth...

Partisan crap aside, what would the US reaction be on a global scale?

Our economy would pretty much crash, at least in the short term. The global economy would suffer tremendously, again at least in the short term....

What would the military reaction be, assuming the attack was executed by Al-Q linked terrorists, that brought the bomb in from Mexico, or on a ship before the containers were searched more carefully.

I've maintained all along that capturing/killing Osama might take a lot of steam out of their movement - seeing their 'figurehead' killed/captured could have a strong impact in the steam behind the movement.....but what if the culprits were mostly Saudi's again?

I find it interesting because it's not like "country X" did this...your thoughts?

 

[Genx87]

Like I said in the other thread, a civil war in the United States.

It could really get ugly to be honest.

 

[conjur]

I'd be buying myself some guns, that's for sure.

 

[ahurtt]

Originally posted by: conjur
I'd be buying myself some guns, that's for sure.

You better go get them now unless you plan to be the first looter on the scene before they are all gone.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: conjur
I'd be buying myself some guns, that's for sure.

Your second amendment rights would go with many others and you would promptly turn them over to the State, or find yourself in a prison camp.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: ahurtt

Originally posted by: conjur
I'd be buying myself some guns, that's for sure.

You better go get them now unless you plan to be the first looter on the scene before they are all gone.

Good point.

I have thought of buying a gun and doing some target practice or going to the Knob Creek gunshoot but I just haven't really found the desire to go ahead and do it.

 

[maluckey]

For a couple of weeks, the economy would suffer, then it would rebound, and the United States would go total isolationist. All foreigners would likely be monitored if Residents, deported if not. Borders would be sealed. Martial law in California would be declared.

We would quickly find the country that allowed the nuke to be built and demand reparations for their lack of vigilance. A scapegoat would be needed, so if said country wasn't apologetic enough it would be destroyed in a way that would make the war in Afghanistan seem long and drawn out.

Further punitive strikes would likely follow. If a nuke was again used against it's interests, The United States might reply in kind.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider

Originally posted by: conjur
I'd be buying myself some guns, that's for sure.

Your second amendment rights would go with many others and you would promptly turn them over to the State, or find yourself in a prison camp.

The govt would have a hell of a time getting guns from people. If those bozos let AQ come over our Mexican border untouched they can forget coming to get "my" guns.

 

[azazyel]

I would make a run to my g/f's parents cabin in the mountains and try to bring as many people with me. Just at least until everyone else calmed down. Then if I didn't see any bright lights during the night I would probably go back home after a few days.

 

[ntdz]

WW3 probably.

 

[azazyel]

Like after 9/11 I would probably be scared for the Muslims that live near me. I know just like last time so f@ck would try to burn down the Mosque near me.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider

Originally posted by: conjur
I'd be buying myself some guns, that's for sure.

Your second amendment rights would go with many others and you would promptly turn them over to the State, or find yourself in a prison camp.

The govt would have a hell of a time getting guns from people. If those bozos let AQ come over our Mexican border untouched they can forget coming to get "my" guns.

You act as if you have a real choice.

The newly created National Police Force comes to your neighborhood just as done in Palestine by the Israelis, or as our military does in Iraq. Armored infantry comes kicking in doors, and searching your home. How long can you hold out against them? Don't even pretend to think it can't happen in America. The government WILL be secure. If you oppose them in such a time you will be imprisoned or die.

 

[cwjerome]

There would absolutely not be a civil war. The country would come together even more so than 9/11. There might be some fringe elements going bonkers, but nothing too horrible.

The government would get stronger, especially regionally, but mostly temporarily. They would certianly not try and grab guns... that would lead to problems and issues worse than the nuke.

 

[maluckey]

Military policy is to NOT take guns from fiendly forces. It hurts the security. After a disaster like this, Military Law would be in effect for a short time.

 

[ahurtt]

Originally posted by: maluckey
For a couple of weeks, the economy would suffer, then it would rebound, and the United States would go total isolationist. All foreigners would likely be monitored if Residents, deported if not. Borders would be sealed. Martial law in California would be declared.

We would quickly find the country that allowed the nuke to be built and demand reparations for their lack of vigilance. A scapegoat would be needed, so if said country wasn't apologetic enough it would be destroyed in a way that would make the war in Afghanistan seem long and drawn out.

Further punitive strikes would likely follow. If a nuke was again used against it's interests, The United States might reply in kind.

For a couple of weeks? Underestimate much? haha 🙂 The state of California would not be under martial law. It would be a wasteland due to nuclear fallout. The entire state and possibly neighboring states would have to be completely and literally evacuated and quarantined as the pall of radioactive smoke and debris plumed into the air for hundreds of miles around. The entire region would be uninhabitable for many many decades to come. Hospitals would be overrun and people would be dying of radiation sickness in the streets. Disease and famine would ensue. It would be totally dog eat dog. . .food, crops, and water would be contaminated and poisoned with radiation. And fire. . .lots and lots of fire and smoke. It is likely that many survivors would have to be fenced into the affected areas and left to die with no infrastructure left operational to be able to mount rescue operations. Computers, cell phones, communication lines, radio towers, cars. . anything electronic all rendered useless. You want to revise that "couple of weeks" estimate yet? Just look at the ripples 9/11 caused and now magnify it about . . .I dunno. . .lets say 250 times? The best I think you could hope for if it happened in your home city or state. . .pray that you are at ground zero when it blows because you would NOT want to survive.

 

[ntdz]

Originally posted by: cwjerome
There would absolutely not be a civil war. The country would come together even more so than 9/11. There might be some fringe elements going bonkers, but nothing too horrible.

The government would get stronger, especially regionally, but mostly temporarily. They would certianly not try and grab guns... that would lead to problems and issues worse than the nuke.

I agree.

 

[NeoV]

I agree I don't see a 'gun grab' taking place....but I'm not sure the country would come together like it did after 9/11 - I think there would be a ton of finger-pointing after a short period of unity, and I think it would get ugly.....

would we pull out of Iraq? would we use our military to secure our borders?

 

[irwincur]

Word in DC a while back was that there is a clear understanding between Al Queda and the US Government that if a bomb is indeed used against an American city that Mecca would be likewise destroyed and tainted. The question becomes, would a terrorist risk their holy city if they knew the outcome to their actions?

If a nuclear weapon is indeed used - the gloves would finally come off.

 

[K1052]

Someone has to supply the weapon or materials.

This "someone" would very likely get an up close and personal display of our strategic capabilities.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: cwjerome
There would absolutely not be a civil war. The country would come together even more so than 9/11. There might be some fringe elements going bonkers, but nothing too horrible.

The government would get stronger, especially regionally, but mostly temporarily. They would certianly not try and grab guns... that would lead to problems and issues worse than the nuke.

The government will certainly get stronger, and if people object, many here will turn them in. The main function of any government is to remain in power. I believe many would make flowerly statements as to the need to surrender our rights to the State. The people would indeed pull together. They would form an enormous mob dedicated to destroying all that might threaten the US. You would have the opportunity to watch how the Germans could support the Nazis. Not pretty.

 

[azazyel]

Originally posted by: irwincur
Word in DC a while back was that there is a clear understanding between Al Queda and the US Government that if a bomb is indeed used against an American city that Mecca would be likewise destroyed and tainted. The question becomes, would a terrorist risk their holy city if they knew the outcome to their actions?

If a nuclear weapon is indeed used - the gloves would finally come off.

Isn't Mecca right next to the Wailing Wall?

 

[NeoV]

lets say it was a nuke that was 'borrowed' during the collapse of the former Soviet Union....not really Russia's fault...I don't think any action against Russia would be warranted....

 

[maluckey]

ahurtt,

Good imagination!

A 1-3KT sized nuke (as stated in the thread title) would not greatly affect major cities near LA. Fallout would be minimal because of the mountains. Cleanup in Hiroshima and Nagasaki began shortly after being hit. Cancer rates are slightly higher in those locations nowadays than average cities. The cancers are mainly in the oldest of the citizens, likely from exposure in the days following the initial strike.

Martial law would likely end as soon as California could re-shift police forces for citizen protection and it's National Guard units to guard access points to the city.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: ahurtt

Originally posted by: maluckey
For a couple of weeks, the economy would suffer, then it would rebound, and the United States would go total isolationist. All foreigners would likely be monitored if Residents, deported if not. Borders would be sealed. Martial law in California would be declared.

We would quickly find the country that allowed the nuke to be built and demand reparations for their lack of vigilance. A scapegoat would be needed, so if said country wasn't apologetic enough it would be destroyed in a way that would make the war in Afghanistan seem long and drawn out.

Further punitive strikes would likely follow. If a nuke was again used against it's interests, The United States might reply in kind.

For a couple of weeks? Underestimate much? haha 🙂 The state of California would not be under martial law. It would be a wasteland due to nuclear fallout. The entire state and possibly neighboring states would have to be completely and literally evacuated and quarantined as the pall of radioactive smoke and debris plumed into the air for hundreds of miles around. Hospitals would be overrun and people would be dying of radiation sickness in the streets. Disease and famine would ensue. It would be totally dog eat dog. . .food, crops, and water would be contaminated and poisoned with radiation. And fire. . .lots and lots of fire and smoke. It is likely that many survivors would have to be fenced into the affected areas and left to die with no infrastructure left operational to be able to mount rescue operations. Computers, cell phones, communication lines, radio towers, cars. . anything electronic all rendered useless. You want to revise that "couple of weeks" estimate yet? Just look at the ripples 9/11 caused and now magnify it about . . .I dunno. . .lets say 250 times?

Your fallout scenario is unrealistic and exaggerated for a yield on the order of 15-20KT.

 

[ntdz]

Originally posted by: irwincur
Word in DC a while back was that there is a clear understanding between Al Queda and the US Government that if a bomb is indeed used against an American city that Mecca would be likewise destroyed and tainted. The question becomes, would a terrorist risk their holy city if they knew the outcome to their actions?

If a nuclear weapon is indeed used - the gloves would finally come off.

That's a little more comforting.