The NPT is far from perfect. For instance, it allows signatories the rights to peaceful nuclear power, with all the attendant know-how and technology that can one day lead a nation down the primrose path to nuclear weapons. But, right now, the NPT is all we've got.
By passing the Military Commissions Act of 2006, which legitimizes forms of torture, we've abdicated our moral authority. By repealing habeas corpus, we've shaken the foundations of justice. Likewise, turning a cold shoulder to the hallowed concept of disarmament strips away whatever pretense remains of American fairness.
The cry of "It's not fair" from aspiring nuclear states may sound like whining. But it's we who infantilize them. Once a powerful nation like the United States adopts a "Because I said so" attitude, it reduces other nations to tantrums -- and the pursuit of apocalyptic weapons. Depending on your point of view, when the daddy state swats them down, it's either corporal punishment or child abuse.
Either way, our nuclear policy is hollow. If it were a leg, it would be prosthesis. Threatened, we take it off and use it as a bludgeon. Not only is our policy hollow, but then we don't have a leg to stand on.
Russ Wellen is the nuclear deproliferation editor for OpEdNews. He's also on the staffs of Freezerbox and Scholars & Rogues.
"It's hard to tell people not to smoke when you have a cigarette dangling from your mouth." -- Mohamed El Baradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency
Little people are the ones that have very small goals. That does not mean they are not vehement in achieving those. But those goals are meniscule, like having their annual hunting party or Crawford vacation, etc. To maintain that they can kill 100000 people, start nuclear war, etc. They are the actual enemies of humanity, not just enemies of our country. Little people, of course exist in other countries too. When they reach the critical mass the abscess ruptures and we have wars. The purpose of the healthy society is to identify the little bastards and redirect them to the proper use. In our country they are clearly seen; they do not hide. So let's put them to the good use- get rid of them in power and make them TV personalities. And let's sign a Little People Non-Proliferation Treaty with other countries. That will prevent war for sure.
by
Mark Sashine (47 articles, 19 quicklinks, 236 diaries, 3362 comments)
on Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 7:49:10 AM
