Prominent U.S. Physicists Send Letter to President Bush

[Tojen]

Um... What the hell do physicists know about global politics? Their job is to build nukes, not tell people how to use them.

True enough, but they also say this in scott's first link:

“We are members of the profession that brought nuclear weapons into existence, and we feel strongly that it is our professional duty to contribute our efforts to prevent their misuse,” says Hirsch [Jorge Hirsch, professor of physics at the University of California].
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[siddharth]

Um... What the hell do physicists know about global politics? Their job is to build nukes, not tell people how to use them.

What do politicians know about politics ?

I don't think "adding the nukes to the threatening list" makes any difference from Iran's viewpoint at all. If US conventional weapons aren't a threat enough, it won't work with the nukes either

I agree with what EL said above.

 

[Gokul43201]

Um... What the hell do physicists know about global politics? Their job is to build nukes, not tell people how to use them.

They're just exercising their free market clout - I see nothing wrong with that.

"If you want us to continue developing potentially dangerous technology, you'd better give us your assurance that you'll be responsible with it (or else...)"

 

[Astronuc]

Um... What the hell do physicists know about global politics? Their job is to build nukes, not tell people how to use them.

Physicists are citizens of the same community, and some of them may know a lot more about global politics than most of the elected officials. In fact, given the appalling nature of US foreign policy, one has to wonder if any politician knows anything about global politics, and for that matter, knows much about anything, other then self-enrichment.

I participate in the development and use of nuclear technology. I certainly have a responsibility (and a right) to see that it used responsibly and wisely. I dare say that there are probably few people in Congress who grasp the significance of nuclear technology and energy in general. The energy policy in the US is pathetic and generally irresponsible.

 

[scott1]

Um... What the hell do physicists know about global politics? Their job is to build nukes, not tell people how to use them.

It's pretty simple: They have to tell the milltary how to use the bombs without killing our guys.
And ofcource they were the guys who invented them so they do have say about what to do with nuclear weapons

 

[Entropy]

What do politicians know about politics ?

Good point.

They're just exercising their free market clout - I see nothing wrong with that.

I'm not saying they don't have a right to their own opinions. Just wondering why it would be given special treatment if they dealing outside their area of expertise.

They have to tell the milltary how to use the bombs without killing our guys.

Well its too late for that now that the military already knows how to use them!

 

[Astronuc]

Prominent U.S. Physicists Send Letter to President Bush

I wish I had thought of this response earlier -

"Why bother, he probably can't read it"

 

[Arian]

I think a simple statement like "We won't use nukes against a nonnuclear country" could calm things down significantly.

This might be old, but that's stupid. Using nukes on a non-nuclear country is safer but not cowardly.
1) We aren't going to get in trouble, atleast into a war with acountry that could invade us. We would just tick off the UN.
2) Nukes shouldn't be used on civilizans as undoubtedly stated before.

 

[turbo]

I wish I had thought of this response earlier -

"Why bother, he probably can't read it"

He has demonstrated ad nauseum that he cannot even pronounce the word "nuclear", and apparently his staff either does not care, or they think that it helps him appeal to the demographic that is dumb enough to support him. Nukular?...duh! Honey, did you leave the pork rinds in the El Camino?