Sex, drugs, rock and roll, while we play with nuclear weapons.

It’s not that people should be restricted from making lifestyle choices, but there’s a time and a place for everything.  And boozing in the nuclear silo is not one of them.

Sadly, the story is not even that funny.  Senior employees responsible for nuclear weapons were found to be dealing drugs, gambling and cheating on proficiency tests.  According to their bosses, everything is all OK and we’ve nothing to worry about.  How reassuring.  Or not.  The nuclear deterrent rationale seems even more shallow, primitive and naive.

 

US nuclear programme scandals – from BBC

  • October 2013 – Maj Gen Michael Carey, a two-star general in the 20th Air Force, is sacked after accusations of drunken misconduct
  • October 2013 – US Navy Vice-Adm Tim Giardina is removed as deputy head of US Strategic Command and investigated for illegal gambling
  • August 2013 – the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base fails a safety test, and its commander is relieved of duty
  • May 2013 – The US Air Force temporarily strips 17 officers at Minot base in North Dakota of their nuclear watch authority following a poor grade in a missile launch test.
  • October 2007 – The air force relieves several officers of their duties after a B-52 bomber was mistakenly flown across the US loaded with nuclear-armed missiles

BBC:
Number of nuclear ‘cheats’ doubles
Hagel orders nuclear forces review
Nuclear officers ‘cheated in exam’

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