Former nuclear launch officers sign letter: Trump ‘should not have his finger on the button’

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Washington Post

Former nuclear launch officers sign letter: Trump ‘should not have his finger on the button’
By Carol Morello

October 13 at 2:35 PM 

Ten former nuclear launch control officers who once held the keys needed to fire on the president’s order have signed an open letter saying they think Donald Trump should not be entrusted with the nation’s nuclear codes.

The letter says the decision to use nuclear weapons requires composure, judgment, restraint and diplomatic skill — all qualities that the former Air Force officers who signed it said Trump lacks.

“On the contrary, he has shown himself time and again to be easily baited and quick to lash out, dismissive of expert consultation and ill-informed of even basic military and international affairs — including, most especially, nuclear weapons,” the letter states. “Donald Trump should not be the nation’s commander-in-chief. He should not be entrusted with the nuclear launch codes. He should not have his finger on the button.”

The letter is the latest in an extraordinary series of missives signed this year by diplomats and national security experts warning of the dangers they think a Trump presidency would pose. In September, 88 retired military leaders said they endorsed the Republican presidential nominee. But most of the letters have reflected the views of those who consider Trump “unfit” to be commander in chief.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/10-former-nuclear-launch-officers-sign-letter-trump-should-not-have-his-finger-on-the-button/2016/10/13/eef68fde-2468-4305-84d4-86033df53b3f_story.html

[Third Doctor]

1. I've been saying this for weeks

Trump is not mentally or emotionally stable enough to handle that type of responsibility. We saw how he handles accusers today.

[ZM90]

2. The sky is blue. Water is wet. n/t.

[Wilms]

3. They would know.

A lot of THEM shouldn't have their finger on the button.

92 nuclear missile officers implicated in cheating scandal, Air Force says
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/01/30/22508088-92-nuclear-missile-officers-implicated-in-cheating-scandal-air-force-says?lite

[busterbrown]

4. Trump’s Response?

“Well I have in my $750 Louie Vuitton attache, a list of 200 Nuclear Launch Commanders who absolutely
think I’d make a tremendous President..” “ I will reveal their names at an appropriate time.”
"TRUST ME"

[SammyWinstonJack]

8. HA!

[Gothmog]

5. Trump and nukes are not a good combo

[Ghost Dog]

6. Two thoughts occur to me immediately:

1). An elected civilian commander-in-chief of the US military only has command insofar as the military permits it; and
2). Civilian 'democratic' elections do not guarantee, recently far from it, that the 'right' kind of person (composure, judgment, restraint and diplomatic skill; informed of basic military and international affairs...) will emerge as commander-in-chief. Therefore: better let the military make the choice.

- The above channeling the US military's evident point of view, you understand; far from my own.

[Plucketeer]

7. IF he should get anywhere near an oval office

Let's just keep him supplied with lotsa bottle rockets and roman candles.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

9. "Trump ‘should not have his finger on the button’"

He'd diddle it.