Hi Don,
Re: A nuclear device weighs tons, not ounces. Putting one in a suitcase is out of the question.
Back in the early 1970's, John McPhee wrote a book called "The Curve of Binding Energy". The subjects of the book was nuclear war, nuclear devices and terrorism among other topics.
What was clear in 1972, was that there was a potential to take down the then new WTC twin towers with an accurately placed nuclear device. Even back then it was obvious to all thinking people that the WTC was a hated symbol of American dominance in world affairs. Why Condy Rice is so ignorant of the facts is a question we all should be asking.
McPhee's principal source of information on things nuclear was Dr. Ted Taylor, who had spent the better part of his career on the miniaturization of nuclear weapons. Taylor stated at that time that he'd been able to get a workable device down to a 250 pound package. Considering that he was probably under some restrictions on classified information, and that this was 3 decades ago, it is reasonable to conjecture that the smallest of the devices in the U.S. arsenal would be somewhat smaller, though a "suitcase" device is clearly a misnomer and and intentional effort to terrorize the civilian population by the government.
As you suggest, the gamma radiation from a plutonium or enriched uranium device is easily detected. For example, the U.S. Custom Service has about 4,000 hand held detectors that are about the size of a garage door opener. The sensitivity of these devices is outstanding. Robert Bonner, the Commisssioner of the Customs Service likes to relate the story of one of these devices sounding an alarm at the U.S.-Mexican border a few months ago. They agent was inspecting a line of traffic, when the detector sounded. The driver of the suspect vehicle was asked to stand aside as a thorough investigation of the car was commenced. The agent was baffled, because the detector found no further evidence of radiation. Questioning the driver, the detector sounded again. It turns out that the driver had been at an oncology clinic in Mexico for radiation therapy, and the residual radiation from that treatment was enough to be detected!
So, when the fear mongers try to tell us how afraid we need to be, I always tend to find them laughable and sinister at the same time. Judith Miller, of the NY Times seems to be one of the most despicable of these fear mongers. In fact the real scandal at the NY Times of the past few months isn't Jayson Blair, who is a mere red herring. It is Miller and her associates who are allowed to do the bidding of the rogue elements of the U.S. and Israeli governments who are trying to indoctrinate a credulous public with excessive fear. |
