quote:
Originally posted by Skunk:
I find it hard to believe that Bush has to seek the permission of congress in all situationsif he can fire a nuclear weapon...
What happens if china launches an all out attack at 4.00 am? With just 20 minutes flight time, do you really think that he would have to summon congress to a meeting in order to retaliate? Maybe the rules say that he should seek the approval of congress - but I think he has the means to act unilaterally if he feels he needs to...
Not the whole of congress, but the leadership. They are in constant contact in situations like this. He would consult them just as he would his advisors. It's not like someone could tell him "it's coming", and then he runs for the button. He wouldn't fire without confirmation and while they seek confirmation, consultations will be held, it's just the way it works. In that situation he probably could do it if they didn't agree, but they would be notified. With an inbound nuclear ICBM who's going to disagree?
The situation with Osama Bin Laden is different because it's not something that will be seen on the radar, but instead, discovered and stopped before hand (hopefully) or pointed out by a mushroom cloud. In the case of the latter, he would
have to consult, and I don't think he could/would do it without approval. The world would certainly be against it, if for no other reason than the precident it would set, so he'd have to be damn sure his country was behind him.
[ 11-18-2001: Message edited by: Ronn_Bman ]