What will we do when Brazil tests a nuclear weapon? I am terrified

[NNN0LHI]

http://globalization.about.com/library/weekly/aa122302a.htm

In the Wild West, the six-shooter was known as the "Equalizer" because it leveled the playing field. Even scrawny guys were powerful forces to be reckoned with if they had a pistol.

For a growing number of nations, the nuclear bomb is the 21st century Equalizer. Attempting to build or buy a nuclear weapon is so logical (from a strategic perspective) we should stop being shocked every time we hear that India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Brazil, North Korea, or any other country wants "the bomb."

Up until 9/11 the United States was being tough on Pakistan because the military government (which ousted civilian leaders in 1999) was supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan and, directly or indirectly, helping Al Queda. Immediately after 9/11 the United States could have decided to oust the dictators of Afghanistan AND Pakistan in one fell swoop. Even now we aren't sure if Al Queda escaped through Pakistan (or is perhaps being harbored there today).

Instead, the United States opted to give Pakistan and General Pervez Musharraf a big bear hug. We held them so close they had no choice but to cooperate with America. Why did we do this?

Was US policy influenced by Pakistan's nuclear status? The real answer doesn't matter because most countries have already decided that the answer is "yes." And, learning from Pakistan's example, even more nations have intensified their efforts to get nuclear weapons.

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[ieoeja]

1. Nothing

First, I happen to believe Brazil's assertion that they want nuclear power, not nuclear weapons. The page you link "quotes" the new Brazilian president as saying otherwise, but credits the Moonie Times as their source for this quote. I would hardly consider the Moonie Times a reliable source and the link they give to the Times is broken.

Second, to the best of my knowledge Brazil has been a stable democracy for some time now. I believe Brazil is even more corporate controlled than the United States run by true conservatives (i.e. "don't upset the status quo") who would rather cut a deal than go to war and risk upsetting the economy and imperiling their business. Pro-war conservatives are a modern day aberation in the United States created by Cold War economics and a deal with the devil in the form of the Christian Coalition in a reach for some form of populism. So even if they do go ahead and develop nuclear weapons, I can't think of too many countries I would rather see join the club than Brazil.

[NNN0LHI]

2. This don't sound like a nuclear power program to me

http://www.yale.edu/iforum/Winter1997/Nuclear.html

<snip>Brazil's motives for acquiring nuclear weapons are troubling. One motive is its nuclear arms race with Argentina. National prestige also played a large part. One of the most compelling reasons, however, is the conventional superiority of the Western world. The world watched the US rout the Iraqi Army with an array of advanced weaponry. The message that many non-industrialized nations learned from the Gulf War was that only nuclear arms could deter a first world power like the US.

If Brazil's experience with nuclear weapons is any indication, there is now a powerful incentive for developing nations to acquire nuclear weapons. As more industrialized nations begin to feel the need for nuclear weapons of their own, the developing nations will find a ready source of technology. If this is the case, then it will be hard to tell who has the bomb, who does not, and who could have it tomorrow.

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[ieoeja]

3. This links agrees with me.

The subtitle of the article: Does it matter if a country has nuclear weapons? If Brazil’s experience with nuclear weapons is any indication, the answer is no./


It goes on to discuss their efforts shortly after WW-II to build a nuclear weapon. It says they stopped when their efforts were uncovered shortly after civilian rule was established in Brazil.

And the article dates to 1997, so it clearly has nothing to do with something the newly elected President wants. The newly elected President said he wanted to revive their nuclear program and specifically stated it was for power only, no weapons.

But as both my response and the subtitle to this article states: who cares if they do build weapons?

[NNN0LHI]

5. Did that come from the Moonie Times, Newsmax, or Drudge?

You didn't provide a link so I can't tell. Maybe you would be kind enough to provide a link so I know?

Don

[arcos]

6. That's SIX years old!!

What arms race with Argentina?? Argentina is struggling to survive, they are not wasting money in an "arms race"

There are moderate left wingers in charge of both Argentina and Brazil. They are NOT spending any time or money thinking in nuclears weapons, they are trying to make their countries go forward.

[NNN0LHI]

8. I didn't post it as breaking news. I used it for a reference

What differnce does it make how old it is? N. Korea has had nukes since 1989, yet everyone has whipped themselves into a lather like its something new or something. What? If Bush tells you we must worry about N. Korea now, that means we must do it? Doesn't that seem a little late to get excited about now? Do you see my point?

Don

[arcos]

9. I see your point but disagree...

It does make a difference..

N. Korea has been under the same rule for several decades. Argentina and Brazil have completely different governments.

[arcos]

7. That's SIX years old!!

There is NO arms race between Argentina and Brazil. Argentina is barely surviving economically, and there are moderate left wing Presidents on both countries.

They are NOT spending any time or money in developing nuclear weapons (and I'm sure they are not thinking about it either). They are busy trying to make their countries go forward.

[arcos]

10. sorry for this reply...

but the error message made me think that it didn't went through the first time.

[sujan]

4. I cheer their effort

[DrWeird]

11. Know what scares me? Japanese robots.

They seem all nice and pacified, what with their Pikachu's and Hello Kittie's.

But deep down they're seething with fury against us westerners on account of that war they had with Russia in 1908.

Everybody knows that the Japanese lead the world in robot technology. Did you not tremble in fear when Suzuki released footage of their latest robot stumble across a show room floor? What was that test for if not to scare us into submission?

If they can teach a robot to fall on its ass, pretty soon they'll have robots that can shoot guns. And they'll never feel pain, or get tired, or hungry. They'll just stumble along, destroying city after city.

Mark my words, in a few years the japanese will launch a secret robot attack. They'll sneak the robots onto our shores by hiding them in cargo containers and ship them into our ports. Where we're the most vulnerable!

And don't get me started on their cars. Didn't you see Transformers?! Sure, that camry gets good gas mileage now, but you'll wish you bought american when it's ripping out your spine with its enormous steel claws!

[Sterling]

12. I am saving this.

Thank you Dr. Weird

[DrWeird]

13. Always willing to help a fellow american.

Especially if it's for a shameless bump.