Weapons of Mass Destruction
Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction by the U.S.
As U.S. citizens, we often think of ourselves as belonging to a high-road nation, one dedicated to “doing the right thing,” whatever that might be. Additionally, while one might think that global superpower status should also denote a degree of “high road” morality, particularly because we are “citizens of the United States of America” and that we are looking out for and guarding against the Saddam Husseins of the world, this is simply not true.
Reality, however, is not quite as simplistic. In looking at weapon systems that can be easily classified as weapons of mass destruction and at our country’s position on the manufacture and use of these weapons, it becomes quite apparent that, no matter which political party is “in charge” in Washington, the manufacture, sale and even the use of these weapons is heavily protected by the powers that be in our government. Eisenhower’s famous lines about the military-industrial complex in his farewell address have proven to be very true. And General Smedley D. Butler’s 20-20 hindsight from 1935 (War is a Racket) observations about U.S. wars in which he had participated as being for economic reasons, not ideologies, have apparently not changed since his time.
So, what are these so-called Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)?
The links below will open weapons of mass destruction subcategories. Most posts also contain PDF files you can download to read at your convenience. Note the commonality with other topics on this website. In addition, please realize that in joining the military you typically have little choice in what career field you’d be placed in, whether it is conventional munitions or dealing with a weapons field on the fringes of morality and international legality. Notice in your contract that “the needs of the government” come first. Hence your desires are typically a distant last.
*****
Chemical Warfare – Poison Gas
Despite numerous efforts to reduce or eliminate them, some nations continue to research and/or stockpile chemical warfare agents. A summary of the nations that have either declared weapon stockpiles or are suspected of secretly stockpiling or possessing CW research programs include United States and Russia…
Agent Orange
The Vietnamese who were exposed to the chemical have suffered from cancer, liver damage, pulmonary and heart diseases, defects to reproductive capacity, and skin and nervous disorders. Children and grandchildren of those exposed have severe physical deformities, mental and physical disabilities, diseases, and shortened life spans. Forests and jungles in large parts of southern Vietnam have been devastated and denuded. If they grow back, it will take 50 to 200 years to regenerate. Animals that inhabited the forests and jungles have become extinct. The rivers and underground water in some areas have been contaminated. Erosion and desertification will change the environment, contributing to the warming of the planet and dislocation of crop and animal life.
Phosphorus Projectiles
Phosphorous Projectiles I remember WWII film clips where anti-aircraft batteries lit up the sky with their phosphorus tracers and machine gunners fired streams of phosphorus bullets, typically every third one being a tracer. Both situations helped the gunner see how...
Lazy Dog Projectiles
My guess is that the CEP (circular area of probability) of lazy dog projectiles will be improved over that of simple ballistic drops with fin steering devices in the near future so that this, too, is a lethal mass destruction capability more destructive than when it was used in ‘Nam.
America’s Bio-Weapons
This is a lengthy pdf file about America’s Bio-Weapons you can read online or download to read at your convenience.
Cluster Bombs
Cluster Bombs Cluster bombs are designed as anti-personnel, anti-armor weapons, but the primary victims have been innocent civilians. More than 98% of known cluster bomb victims are civilians and 40% are children, who are drawn to the small, toy-like metal objects....
Land Mines
Land Mines "No, no, don’t look at the sky, they cannot do you any harm from above anymore. Lower your head because the danger is in your mother earth. If you have survived the war, try to survive the peace!” - Melisa Dzanovic in Bosnia Herzegovina Facts On Land Mines...
A Near Miss
A Near Miss - And How Many More Unreported? Date: Early '60s Place: An Air Force Base nuclear weapons maintenance facility on an island in the Caribbean Author: Don Chapin, Capt., USAF, ret'd Introduction At this time, long after the cold war has ended, we are now...