10 year anniversary of the nuclear winter that almost was

[FrankZappa]

We survived!
Most people don\'\'t know this story. Keep in mind that this counter attack would have been seen as a first strike and we would have retaliated, causing a re-retaliation causing nuclear winter.

http://www.historychannel.com/tdih/tdih.jsp?category=general&month=10272953&day=10272990

1995 Near launching of Russian nukes


Russia\'s early-warning defense radar detects an unexpected missile launch near Norway, and Russian military command estimates the missile to be only minutes from impact on Moscow. Moments later, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, his defense minister, and his chief of staff were informed of the missile launch. The nuclear command systems switched to combat mode, and the nuclear suitcases carried by Yeltsin and his top commander were activated for the first time in the history of the Soviet-made weapons system. Five minutes after the launch detection, Russian command determined that the missile\'s impact point would be outside Russia\'s borders. Three more minutes passed, and Yeltsin was informed that the launching was likely not part of a surprise nuclear strike by Western nuclear submarines.

These conclusions came minutes before Yeltsin and his commanders should have ordered a nuclear response based on standard launch on warning protocols. Later, it was revealed that the missile, launched from Spitzbergen, Norway, was actually carrying instruments for scientific measurements. Nine days before, Norway had notified 35 countries, including Russia, of the exact details of the planned launch. The Russian Defense Ministry had received Norway\'s announcement but had neglected to inform the on-duty personnel at the early-warning center of the imminent launch. The event raised serious concerns about the quality of the former Soviet Union\'s nuclear systems.

[dawgmusic]

holy shitballs.

[jocelyn]

I remember when my dad called me up and told me about that...

Made me realize that to err is human, and when humans are involved with nuclear weapons.... tragedy could come all too easily.

[Stephengencs]

just a delay of the inevitable.....  not necessarily a nuclear war incident....but I think our days are numbered on this rock anyway....  whether its brought on by terror, other "enemies", or a freak natural disaster......eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.....and by be merry, I mean have as much sex as you can...

[oldnewbie]

i spent six years riding a submarine and this was always our biggest fear....well....that and sinking.

[Stephengencs]

Originally posted by oldnewbie
i spent six years riding a submarine and this was always our biggest fear....well....that and sinking.

Hunt for Heady Oldnewbie....