What's at Stake: 2004
NYC ATOM ATTACK | |
| Islamic Group Claims Responsibility (FLASH/AP) At approximately 5:15pm EST yesterday, terrorists associated with Ansar al Islam detonated a 15 kiloton atomic weapon in the harbor near Manhattan's battery. Radio reports indicated that the terrorists were operating a speedboat and that a pursuit by the United States Coast Guard was underway when the explosion occurred. Three Nuclear Emergency Response Teams (NEST) were on the scene and initial casualty reports estimated as many as 75,000 dead and 250,000 wounded. Area hospitals were overwhelmed with cases of severe burns, radiation sickness, and major injuries. A triage facility was established at 103th street/Corona Plaza and all medical personnel were asked to report immediately to their respective facilities. A shaken president John Kerry addressed the nation via radio at 8 pm EST. "This dark day has tested the mettle of the American people," he stated, "our thoughts and prayers are with those who have died, and those who suffer. Time and time again we have risen to the challenge, defeating tyrants, extremists and dictators who would fight freedom. And this time, it will be no different. I ask all Americans to band together, to help your neighbors, to reassure one another in this dark hour. I can assure you that we will strike back. We will strike hard. And that justice will be done." Kerry went on to issue a presidential directive reinstating the Patriot Act, which had been dismantled less than twelve months after his election. He also declared martial law in New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, and Detroit, where National Guard troops were enforcing a curfew. There were unconfirmed reports of widespread looting and civil unrest in areas surrounding New York City. Economic Impact Felt Worldwide The New York Stock Exchange has suspended trading while operations are moved to a backup facility near Philadelphia. Redundant computer operations for most of Wall Street have ensured that account and trading information is intact. Oil prices skyrocketed to over $70 a barrel immediately after the explosion and then plummeted to $45 as the economic impact of a potential worldwide recession loomed. Gold shot overnight to 900/oz. and the value of the dollar fell nearly a third in overnight trading. The NASDAQ stock market intends to resume trading within the week, operating from its redundant Chicago facility. | Retaliation: Shock and Anger Senior Pentagon officials tell the AP that war plans are underway and that a strategic nuclear response "is being contemplated". Former CIA Analyst Robert Acres told CNN that NEST is capable of determining the source of the nuclear material used by the terrorists. "When that source is located, I can assure you that there will be hell to pay." A CNN/Gallup Poll taken last night asked viewers which potential target would be struck first in a military response. Over 50% answered Iran, 25% North Korea, 20% Pakistan, 12% Mecca, 3% Medina, and 5% all of the named targets. There were unconfirmed reports from Norfolk, Virginia that Task Force 134, the US Pacific Fleet's Nuclear Submarine Group, had been ordered to the Indian Ocean. Continuity of Government Upon the first reports of the detonation, a Continuity of Government (COG) operation began moving the president, vice-president, cabinet, key congressional leaders, military and intelligence personnel to a secure facility in West Virginia. No further details were available at press time. Claims of Responsibility Within hours of the attack, a web site affiliated with the Al Jazeera network posted a claim of responsibility by Ansar al Islam reading "Praise be to God, we have the struck the enemy a shattering blow and we will strike again before it can recover. God is great, and thanks be unto God for delivering us this victory. We will fight the infidel crusaders wherever they may live, from this time forward, until they have been eradicated from the face of the earth." Harsh Criticism of Policy Hours after the attack, the president's critics were harshly reprimanding his dismantling of the CIA and the Department of Homeland Security, and his efforts to place the responsibilities of defense and intelligence-gathering with the United Nations. Former president George W. Bush, speaking from his ranch in Texas, said, "This is tragic in so many ways. The loss of life, the loss of property, the loss of confidence. But I firmly believe that this did not have to happen. The United Nations, or any multi-national coalition, cannot protect the United States. Only we can protect ourselves." Continued on Page A3. |
3 comments:
If this war had ANYTHING to do with oil, we'd have been in Venezuela when it was undergoing its internal turmoil. A lot cheaper and easier to go in there. There's absolutely zero basis for the contention this war had anything to do with oil.
It's about combatting the unchecked rise of Wahhabism since the Jimmy Carter days.
Let's review Bush' record...
Where is the Taliban? Decapitated with no base of operations.
Where is al Qaeda? Scattered to the four winds with no base of operations.
Where is Hussein (one of the major state sponsors of terrorism world-wide - harboring Abu Abbas, Abu Nidal, a Boeing 707 used to train hijackers, who funded suicide bombers, etc.)? On trial.
We need a beachhead against Wahhabism. Now we have one. THAT's the only thing the war was about.
And what about Mr. Kerry...
Kerry's record is as far left as it gets, with the added bonus of bowing to political expediency. He's changed his position dramatically, sometimes within weeks. He might be the most wishy-washy opportunist _ever_. His record spells it all out for us. And he would never have taken these aggressive moves. He is certain to dismantle the Patriot Act... undermine our defense (ask the military who it wants to win?)... and rely upon conflicted countries like France for counsel.
It's a recipe for disaster. It's Jimmy Carter Part Deux, with someone even worse than Carter on deck.
Unfortunately, I don't believe the choice of President will have any bearing on the eventuality of nuclear or biological terrorism. If someone has them and is determined to use them they are just too small and powerful to really defend the US against.
My one hope that guards against this pessimistic view is that the terrorist realize, that regardless of who is in office, if such an attack happened and was reasonably successful , meaning multiple city sized population were killed, the US population would demand a near genocidal level of nuclear attack on Syria, Iran, Sudan, along with a future guarantee that if any Muslim theocracy formed in the future it too would be annihilated.
There was a weak but audible call for such a response after 911, I am sure that given the level of devastation of such an attack, in both human and economic costs, the cry for revenge this time would be deafening. If Kerry is President at the time and did nothing I wouldn't be surprised if there was a direct military coup or an assasination. I really think people would be that pissed off.
Good comments.
Pete, I agree - the book _Endgame_ spells out what a president would be forced to do in the event one or more US cities were hit with a catastrophic nuclear attack.
It ain't pretty.
You're also right in that's it almost impossible to stop such an attack. The same book points out a new, once-classified technology that renders nukes inoperable. So there's a little hope in a technological solution.
My feeling, though, is a pair like Kerry & Edwards (who are to the left of Ted Kennedy & Hillary according to the non-partisan National Journal!) endanger the American people through their stated willingness to "build coalitions" against terrorism, work for appeasement, and avoid confrontation.
Evil people understand one thing: brute force. The bad guys want Kerry to win because they won't survive four more gears of George W. Bush.
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