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Five Times the US Almost Nuked Itself
kdawson writes "io9 has a scary outline of five times the US came close to accidental nuclear disasters. Quoting: 'In August of 1950, ten B-29 Superfortress bombers took off from what was then called Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base in California, headed for Guam. Each was carrying a Mark IV atom bomb, which was about twice as powerful as the bombs dropped on Japan at the end of World War II. Shortly after takeoff, one of the B-29s had engine trouble. On board was General Robert Travis. He commanded the plane to turn back to the base when the landing gear refused to retract. Sensing the plane was going down, the pilot tried to avoid some base housing before crashing at the northwest corner of the base. The initial impact killed 12 of the 20 people aboard, including General Travis. The resulting fire eventually detonated the 5,000 pounds of conventional explosives that were part of the Mark IV. That massive explosion killed seven people on the ground. Had the bomb been armed with its fissile capsule, the immediate death toll may have reached six figures.'"
Did they try dropping the B29 from orbit? It's the only way to be sure...
This reminds me of the time the US was almost attacked by giant killer terrorist robots. Luckily, Osama didn't invent and deploy them, otherwise the death toll could have been in the 9 figures.
It's a good thing that those aliens have ben monitoring our nukes.
Not really. Unlike the UK, almost all doctors in America are private practice doctors and not on government salary. The same with hospitals, a mix of private and local/state public hospitals. The health care reform legislation passed is mainly for insurance; the government won't change its control of doctors or which private plans people choose. So the government really isn't in charge of health care, although they've taken a more regulatory role in insurance.
While factual, your post goes against the narrative we're trying to push here. Expect to be modded into oblivion.
Literalism isn't a form of humor, it's you being irritating.
So what you're saying is that this bomb is perfectly safe?
Literalism isn't a form of humor, it's you being irritating.
Funny you should mention "anti-nuke" people and make me recall one of my fav' Pete Townsend quotes
"I'm really for nuclear energy, but I haven't told anyone because I'm still hoping to fuck Jane Fonda" -P.T. circa 1980
*Repent!Quit Your Job!Slack Off!The World Ends Tomorrow and You May Die!
It's really okay for you to just tell him he used it wrong.
When you're afraid to download music illegally in your own home, then the terrorists have won!
And this post makes me think of Freud.
*Repent!Quit Your Job!Slack Off!The World Ends Tomorrow and You May Die!
I was nearly incinerated by Godzilla yesterday! I remember it well. The only thing that saved me is that there was no fire and Godzilla wasn't actually there!
Man, what a relief that was!
Guns rarely injure people while used properly.
Uh. I'm not sure what kind of guns you've been using, but if they're not injuring people you need to go ask for your money back.
Guns rarely injure people while used properly.
Uh. I'm not sure what kind of guns you've been using, but if they're not injuring people you need to go ask for your money back.
Just like with axes, eh?
-- Lizzie
"Had the bomb been armed with its fissile capsule" could be replaced with "had the bomb contained a black hole or killer vampire ghost" and be about as scary. it wasn't armed for exactly that kind of situation.
Wait, wait, wait.... So you're saying that the US has bombs with vampire ghost payloads now? AND black holes?!!
This is no more "nearly nuked" than the making of the movie "Broken Arrow". After all, they had props that looked like nukes in that. What if there's been a mix-up somewhere along the line? OMG! Nearly nuked America again!
The difference is Broken Arrow should have bombed.
Actually, had the bomb been self aware we would have been in a bit more trouble.
Sentient beings that are locked away in seclusion often develop depression. In fact, given that most people would rather not carry on a conversation with a sentient nuclear weapon this would have been doubly bad. I suspect at some point our self aware nuclear being would have turned suicidal at some point. Unfortunately, in this case he really could have taken them all with him.
If you ask me... that is something to be really afraid of... if it happened.
"You should always go to other people's funerals; otherwise, they won't come to yours." -- Yogi Berra
This is a movie not an Instructional Video. No more TV! Outside! Now!
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
You are not pushing the people's anti-nuke agenda! More fear mongering! More misinformation! MORE MORE MORE!
"It nearly turned the Earth into another Sun!" has a much NICER ring to it!
Now conform or your opinions are invalid! ;-)
Chas - The one, the only.
THANK GOD!!!
Learn to spell, asswipe. Or, learn to spell "asswipe." Either one.
I think the simplest way to describe the difference between liberals and conservatives and this pretty much is true irregardless of what your speaking of, BTW
Liberals are whores...but well paid whores...we don't just give our vote away without being paid handsomely for it in the way of Government Action.
Conservatives ARE NOT whores...simply sluts...they will simply give their vote to anyone who makes them feel all cuddly inside irregardless of the truth.
Make no mistake, whichever side you're on, you're going to get f$%ked...no question about it. The only choice you have is whether you actually get something out of the deal.
With that said...Democrat for life, thank you very much.
"Don't be a martyr -- BE THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY!"
Why the fuck are you so angry?
Maybe he really craved for the fries all along, and not the hamburger itself?
Life. Don't talk to me about life.