NationStates Jolt Archive

Latest news ('http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2099634,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront')

A British company has been closed down after being caught in an apparent attempt to sell black-market weapons-grade uranium to Iran and Sudan, The Observer can reveal.

Anti-terrorist officers and MI6 are now investigating a wider British-based plot allegedly to supply Iran with material for use in a nuclear weapons programme. One person has already been charged with attempting to proliferate 'weapons of mass destruction'.

During the 20-month investigation, which also involved MI5 and Customs and Excise, a group of Britons was tracked as they obtained weapons-grade uranium from the black market in Russia. Investigators believe it was intended for export to Sudan and on to Iran.

A number of Britons, who are understood to have links with Islamic terrorists abroad, remain under surveillance. Investigators believe they have uncovered the first proof that al-Qaeda supporters have been actively engaged in developing an atomic capability. The British company, whose identity is known to The Observer but cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, has been wound up.

Ok, so we can assume that some of the people involved were sympathetic to al-Qaeda.

We can also assume (despite assertions to the contrary later in the article), that the people had some idea that the material would not be used for "peaceful purposes". Come on - why would someone be buying weapons-grade enriched uranium on the black market? As a party favor?

Which leads me to this - if you're participating in helping someone gather weapons grade uranium, you obviously have no problem with them using it somewhere.

Say you work at a US uranium enrichment facility. You obviously have no problem with the US turning that product into warheads - and perhaps you have some belief in the publicly expressed policies the US has on the use of nuclear weapons.

So, if you're selling to al-Qaeda, and you're selling weapons-grade uranium obtained on the black market, you obviously have no problem with the publicly stated goal of blowing up one or more major Western cities.

So, here's the question:

Would you mind if al-Qaeda set off a nuke?

I'd mind if anyone did

Well that's capitalists for you. Personally I mind if anybody sets off a nuke.

Only an idiot would actually use a nuclear weapon.

Would you mind if al-Qaeda set off a nuke?

yes

I have to add though that my level of caring is proportional to the impact that said explosion would have on my own life

No, I'd just sit down watch some tv, and give money to the survivors

i'd be ticked if anyone set off a nuke

Well that's capitalists for you. Personally I mind if anybody sets off a nuke.
QFT, but I had to vote Slartibartfast anyway for the HG2G reference

I feel like ticked off is a little weak for my tastes. I'd be shocked and appalled maybe become physically ill. I'd probably be furious too, but this is assuming I survive... I live just a few miles outside D.C., a likely ground zero if terrorists set off a bomb as they don't need a government to surrender.

Nukes are bad, mkay?

Only an idiot wouldn't care if those wackos get hold of nuclear material.

I feel like ticked off is a little weak for my tastes. I'd be shocked and appalled maybe become physically ill. I'd probably be furious too, but this is assuming I survive... I live just a few miles outside D.C., a likely ground zero if terrorists set off a bomb as they don't need a government to surrender.

Is this how you have reacted to past tragedies which didn't directly affect you. The tsunami for example?

I think I might have a few objections, yes.

Is this how you have reacted to past tragedies which didn't affect you. The tsunami for example?

It could be from the radioactive fallout.

Actually, if someone sets off a nuke over a city everywhere, this would prompt Bush to nuke some countries at random... total nuclear shit ensues.:rolleyes:

Fuck nukes.

It could be from the radioactive fallout.

Could be but if there was no direct effect

Is this how you have reacted to past tragedies which didn't directly affect you. The tsunami for example?
Actually, the tolls of the Tsunami made me genuinely quite ill. 200,000+ people dead? I'd be shocked if it didn't make anyone's stomachs churn.

Could be but if there was no direct effect

You need to read up on nuclear weapons if you don't think the fallout is a direct effect. The ones who get vaporized are the lucky ones.

I'd mind if anyone didThirded (or whatevered). Nobody should have nukes.

that's one of the few times I've seen a strawman set up in a thread's title....

that's one of the few times I've seen a strawman set up in a thread's title....

Umm...

the smugglers were dealing with al-Q.

What do you think they thought the weapons grade black market uranium was for?

Porch lighting?

Nuclear weapons are dull and uninteresting.

Nanoplagues are excitingly fascinating. :)

Strangelets are more fun....

Would you mind if al-Qaeda set off a nuke?

Nuclear weapons are dull and uninteresting.

Nanoplagues are excitingly fascinating. :)

I guess what I'm really asking is this:

1. If you know your customer is al-Qaeda, and
2. You're selling them weapons grade uranium...

do you honestly think they're not going to be building a bomb, and

do you honestly think they're not going to set it off in some Western country, and

do you care if they do?

Nuclear weapons are dull and uninteresting.

Nanoplagues are excitingly fascinating. :)

This needs an entirely new thread where we can all agree on something. Would you mind if Al-Qaeda released a nanoplague?

I'd make a thread on NSG about it where some troll (just 1 I hope)would be talking about nuking the whole country of them-istan

What do you think they thought the weapons grade black market uranium was for?

a dirty bomb is my guess...course the idea of using radioactive material instead of smallpox is silly

Is this how you have reacted to past tragedies which didn't directly affect you. The tsunami for example?

Tsunamis don't usually result in nations sending other tsunamis at the perceived culprit.

Would you mind if al-Qaeda set off a nuke?

Yes. This has been another edition of "Short answers to incredibly stupid questions."

Only an idiot would actually use a nuclear weapon.

How so?

No. Well, someone had to say it...

This needs an entirely new thread where we can all agree on something. Would you mind if Al-Qaeda released a nanoplague?

A nanoplague that consumes all synthetics would be ever so exciting. I look forward to it. :)

A nanoplague that consumes all synthetics would be ever so exciting. I look forward to it. :)

You just want everyone to be naked.


You've got my vote :D

a dirty bomb is my guess...course the idea of using radioactive material instead of smallpox is silly

Dirty bombs are the most rubbish fnord ever. And, in this case, would be a waste of perfectly good fissile material.

I can just imagine the headlines if they set off a nuke near here:

AL-QAEDA NUKE CORBY
"I guess they're not so bad after all", says Blair
MILLIONS OF POUNDS OF IMPROVEMENTS REPORTED

I dont think it matters if its a western country or not. No one should be nuked.:gundge:

Add me to the list of people who would mind if anybody set off a nuke.

I'm guessing the OP will find that insufficiently interesting, though, so here's something for him to chew on:

I would be MORE pissed off if my own country set off a nuke than if Al Qaeda did.

Why, you ask? Because Al Qaeda are terrorists. By definition, they are assholes. It's not really possible for me to dislike them more than I already do.

My country, on the other hand, is not a terrorist state. Or, at least, it's not fucking well supposed to be. If my country sinks to that level, then I've lost a whole lot more than if some terrorists sunk to a level that they're already pretty much on anyway.

You just want everyone to be naked.


You've got my vote :D

I'm getting predictable. :(

:)

Only an idiot would actually use a nuclear weapon.

Indeed and what countries have set off Nuclear bombs? well, there's the USA and the USA and ofcourse the USA and i can ofcourse not forget the USA.
(oh no, i did not just call you're government idiots, no i didn't, there is no conspiracy!)

Only an idiot would actually use a nuclear weapon.

Would it really be likely that al-Qaeda would use any nuclear weapon it had? What would they have to gain?

Note: Yes I would care if al-Qaeda used a nuke. Or anyone for that matter.

Add me to the list of people who would mind if anybody set off a nuke.

I'm guessing the OP will find that insufficiently interesting, though, so here's something for him to chew on:

I would be MORE pissed off if my own country set off a nuke than if Al Qaeda did.

Why, you ask? Because Al Qaeda are terrorists. By definition, they are assholes. It's not really possible for me to dislike them more than I already do.

My country, on the other hand, is not a terrorist state. Or, at least, it's not fucking well supposed to be. If my country sinks to that level, then I've lost a whole lot more than if some terrorists sunk to a level that they're already pretty much on anyway.

A very good point. Ten thread points to Bottle.

A very good point. Ten thread points to Bottle.

The implication of her post is that the US government is most certainly composed of assholes, and would most certainly do something like use a nuclear weapon, with the sole purpose of pissing her off.

The implication of her post is that the US government is most certainly composed of assholes, and would most certainly do something like use a nuclear weapon, with the sole purpose of pissing her off.

No, the implication of her post is that should the US use a nuclear weapon, it would have sunk to the level of terrorists, and any sane, rational individual would have lost all respect they had for this nation, regardless of how much they initially had.

The implication of her post is that the US government is most certainly composed of assholes, and would most certainly do something like use a nuclear weapon, with the sole purpose of pissing her off.

I don't think you read the same post everyone else did.

No, the implication of her post is that should the US use a nuclear weapon, it would have sunk to the level of terrorists, and any sane, rational individual would have lost all respect they had for this nation, regardless of how much they initially had.

We've already used nuclear weapons.

Twice.

And for decades, we've had a policy of planning to use them by the tens of thousands, in a war of annihilation.

You were saying?

We've already used nuclear weapons.

Twice.

And for decades, we've had a policy of planning to use them by the tens of thousands, in a war of annihilation.

You were saying?

That if we ever set off a nuke in another country for no other reason than to foster terror and cause property damage, we would have sunk to the level of terrorists.

Fail.

I'm getting predictable. :(

:)

Why do I get the feeling you're preparing to unleash a new and unexpected kind of madness on us all, just to prove your not predictable?


*constructs bomb shelter*

to be honest, I'd be pretty pissed off if anyone detonated a nuke anywhere. Especially if it was anywhere near me.

Well that's capitalists for you. Personally I mind if anybody sets off a nuke.

Only capitalists have nukes, eh? I guess stalin was a entrepeneur

Only an idiot would actually use a nuclear weapon.

Not true, Truman was not an idiot, but he used one, to be fair to your claim however, no one knew the amount of destruction a nuclear bomb would cause

Only an idiot wouldn't care if those wackos get hold of nuclear material.

Accurate

Well, people setting off nukes really grinds my gears.

All the countries that I want to see nuked would probably not be nuked by Al Qaeda. I would like to see North Korea, China, and any nation hostile to Israel or the USA nuked.

Only an idiot would actually use a nuclear weapon.

Only an idiot would hijack a plane and fly into a building, killing himself in the process.

Shit happens when you give power to idiots.

Myself, I would care if anyone blew a nuke anywhere.

Well, people setting off nukes really grinds my gears.

You aren't the only one, that is why the world has the NPT

That if we ever set off a nuke in another country for no other reason than to foster terror and cause property damage, we would have sunk to the level of terrorists.

Fail.

We spent trillions of dollars setting up thousands of nuclear missiles, etc., for no other reason than to foster terror in our enemies by the mere threat of using them and in the event we decided to fire them, annihilate most of the human race, and render parts of the Earth uninhabitable, and vaporize most of the works of civilization.

You're saying we didn't sink very low by doing that?

Not to incite a massive flame fest, but no, I wouldn't. Odds are, by the time thus happens the world will be truly and unforgivably rotten. That's not exactly a world I'd enjoy living in, so...


Plus, if I get vaporized I won't have time to care. *dons fire shield*

:confused: I would hope anyone would have a problem if al-Qaeda set off a nuclear bomb.

:confused: I would hope anyone would have a problem if al-Qaeda set off a nuclear bomb.

Apparently, that didn't bother a few smugglers.

I'd mind if anyone didexactamente.

Not to incite a massive flame fest, but no, I wouldn't. Odds are, by the time thus happens the world will be truly and unforgivably rotten. That's not exactly a world I'd enjoy living in, so...


Plus, if I get vaporized I won't have time to care. *dons fire shield*

Not gonna flame you for that. You might just be onto something...

All the countries that I want to see nuked would probably not be nuked by Al Qaeda. I would like to see North Korea, China, and any nation hostile to Israel or the USA nuked.

*walks in*

*erects a sign saying "Don't feed the troll!"*

*leaves*

*walks in*

*erects a sign saying "Don't feed the troll!"*

*leaves*

We weren't, but I just might now to spite you :p

:(

It's ok. It was just such an obvious troll post that I don't think anyone felt like responding.

We weren't, but I just might now to spite you :p

:(

You need to read up on nuclear weapons if you don't think the fallout is a direct effect. The ones who get vaporized are the lucky ones.

I said if

Actually, the tolls of the Tsunami made me genuinely quite ill. 200,000+ people dead? I'd be shocked if it didn't make anyone's stomachs churn.

I was shocked by it but I wouldn't say it made me feel physically sick. Thousands of people die every day but I don't feel much for them on more than an intellectual level

As long as it's not in America, Liberia, or Israel, the most freedom loving nations of I'll time, it's ok.

Would you mind if al-Qaeda set off a nuke?

Dammit, do I really have to say this again? Second time today...

*Ahem*

Yes. In other news, fire is hot, water is wet, and gas burns.

yes...I would mind...unless it's in a third world country, then I'd change the channel from CNN to something else and get back to my dinner like almost everyone else in the "West".....

As long as it's not in America, Liberia, or Israel, the most freedom loving nations of I'll time, it's ok.Wh... (http://img68.photobucket.com/albums/v208/ozmjk7/sarcasm_detector.jpg) ???

Indeed and what countries have set off Nuclear bombs? well, there's the USA and the USA and ofcourse the USA and i can ofcourse not forget the USA.
(oh no, i did not just call you're government idiots, no i didn't, there is no conspiracy!)

You're forgetting France, Britain, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and North Korea.

Only an idiot wouldn't care if those wackos get hold of nuclear material.

the whole world would be in danger if they got ahold of nuclear weapons.

You're forgetting France, Britain, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and North Korea.

I think he meant used in war.

You're forgetting France, Britain, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and North Korea.
Indeed i did meant used in war but i just have to write this:
Really? I was not aware that France, Britain, Russia, China, India, Pakistan and North Korea has unleased their bombs at other "hostile" nations, no really i didn't know! Maybe, maybe it's because they never did, i know they have Nukes, but that they had ever used the Nukes, Now thats news!
Thank you, you really made my day :rolleyes:

Indeed i did meant used in war but i just have to write this:
Really? I was not aware that France, Britain, Russia, China, India, Pakistan and North Korea has unleased their bombs at other "hostile" nations, no really i didn't know! Maybe, maybe it's because they never did, i know they have Nukes, but that they had ever used the Nukes, Now thats news!
Thank you, you really made my day :rolleyes:

Thankyou captain obvious.

Why do I get the feeling you're preparing to unleash a new and unexpected kind of madness on us all, just to prove your not predictable?


*constructs bomb shelter*

Dammit! :mad:

See what I mean?

If al-Qaeda launched a nuke at an asteroid, and said I could watch, from a safe distance, with an HDTV, with 35 different angles, no, I would not mind.

Dammit! :mad:

See what I mean?

And now we wait for his attempt at deviancy...

*Puts a pool of mud next to LG*

And this conclude's today's episode of "0h n035 73h 3b1l |\/|05l3|\/|5 r @ 1t @6@1|\|!!!" brought to you by the Deep Kimchi Scouts.

You need to read up on nuclear weapons if you don't think the fallout is a direct effect. The ones who get vaporized are the lucky ones.

Arn't modern nuclear weapons designed to have less of a nuclear fall out?

Thirded (or whatevered). Nobody should have nukes.

In a perfect world. But given the current situation, I think only certain people should have nukes.

IMNSHO this is a stupid question!

Of COURSE I mind if al-Qaeda (or anybody else, for that matter) set off a nuke!

Why do you think you have to ask? Expecting some anti-American, al-Qaeda-supporting Muslims on NS, maybe?

IMNSHO this is a stupid question!

Of COURSE I mind if al-Qaeda (or anybody else, for that matter) set off a nuke!

Why do you think you have to ask? Expecting some anti-American, al-Qaeda-supporting Muslims on NS, maybe?

And you win the prize for guessing the Deep Kimchi Scouts' motives for most Remote Observer posts to date!!

Say... what is the prize anyways Bob?

I'd mind if anyone did

QFT.

Thankyou captain obvious.

Captain obvious to the rescue:)
*gets cape and flies away*

if they did, and i was a betting person, i'd put my dreams on it saying made in the u.s. on it somewhere. having been slipped to them by someone in the higher eschalons of the u.s. state department, maybe as agricultural supplies the way rumsfield funded them in the first place, under completely deniable orders from president rove, i mean, that george kid, to maintain the illusion of their being a creditable threat.

millions of al-cia-da opperatives are planing to destroy the america.

millions? really?

would you believe thousands?

no.

would you believe one boyscout with a knife?

=^^=
.../\...

(given the current situation, those what have nukes are the last folks in hell i'd trust with them. not that i'd want every boyscout to have one in his back pocket either, but trying to stuff genies back into bottles while thouroughly and systematicly destroying the environment's capacity to sustain our own speicies continued existence isn't exactly the most effective way to rescue humanity from mutual collective suicide)

=^^=
.../\...

Only capitalists have nukes, eh? I guess stalin was a entrepeneur


My point was not that, as that was quite obviously not the case during the cold war. What I was getting at was the amoral free-market entrepreneurship attitude of the company involved - "hey there is a market for this we can make some money". I can do a large print version of this if you are still struggling...

the only thing scarier than these guys getting hold of nukes is america getting hold of them...oh wait.

i know whose more likely to set one off and i know whose more likely to aim it at the poor and innocent.

And you win the prize for guessing the Deep Kimchi Scouts' motives for most Remote Observer posts to date!!

Say... what is the prize anyways Bob?

the only thing scarier than these guys getting hold of nukes is america getting hold of them...oh wait.

i know whose more likely to set one off and i know whose more likely to aim it at the poor and innocent.

This thread has now been a success in Remote Observer's eyes.

Al-Qaeda are no where near organised enough to set off a nuclear bomb despite the lies the wests capitalist propaganda machines tell you.
The only people who really scare me when it comes to nuclear armageddon is the good ole US of A. After all they are the only nutters to have so far used one. sorry two!!! You would of thought they would of been appalled at themselves after they dropped the first one, but no, the total obliteration of one city was not enough!! they had to do it again. Not because it was needed but to send a message to the Russians. Could they not just of sent a letter?

Could they not just of sent a letter?

Hehehe Word

I'd more than mind, especially by a non-state actor. They're the most likely ones to actually use a nuke.

This thread has now been a success in Remote Observer's eyes.

No. Success in their eyes would have been at least half the responders going "Yes, this is a problem. We do need to round up all those damn dirty Muslims and sterilize them so they won't get a chance to set off a nuke in this country."