From: David Bromage
Date: 9/13/2003 3:28 AM Central Daylight Time
Message-id:

B2431 wrote:
I am sure you know many U. S. servicemen and a few civilians near
atmospheric
tests radiation poisoning and various cancers. Many of the affected
have since
died.

True, but who is the actual killer - the person who makes the bullet or
the person who pulls the trigger?

Cheers
David


Unfortunately for the dead Teller insisted on lots of tests. Many of his peers,
besides the ones from Manhatten Project who later opposed building the
thermonuclear devices after they had seen in Japan, have said too many tests
were done on his direction. Long before the Atmospheric Test Ban Treaty the
actual effects of the bombs were well documented. All that was left to do was
make smaller and more efficient bombs. These were done after the ban.

My theory is he was just like a lot of people in the business and liked to see
the explosions. I know I would have liked to have seen one.

Your analogy is correct that the end user was responsible, I don't hold him
resposible for designing it, but I do hold him responsible for excess testing.

The bombs did need to be built, many of the tests did need to be done, but just
how many?

Maybe we need to do an above ground detonation occassionally so people can see
what they are actually afraid of.

Dan, U. S. Air Force, retired