Blogs and Stories
Drop the Bomb, Obama
Gerald Herbert / AP Photo
The U.N. Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution that is a first step toward Obama’s goal of ridding the world of nuclear weapons. Obama, who became the first U.S. president to chair the Security Council, says the measure will lead to tighter controls on weapons states and end loopholes exploited by countries like Iran. “The historic resolution we just adopted enshrines our shared commitment to a goal of a world without nuclear weapons,” Obama said Thursday. James Carroll reports on how Obama is following in Kennedy's footsteps. Plus, a gallery of U.N. moments.
At exactly this point in his presidency, John F. Kennedy did what Barack Obama did on Thursday—challenge the United Nations to eliminate nuclear weapons. Obama becomes the first U.S. president to chair an extraordinary session of the U.N. Security Council, with its nations represented by heads of state, not diplomats. As chair, it was his prerogative to set the agenda, and he chose nuclear non-proliferation and “disarmament”—a word that all but disappeared from the rhetoric of American presidents decades ago. It tips Obama’s hand that, because of him, the word disarmament is back.
It is not too much to say that the United Nations was founded to deal with the atomic bomb. In 1946, America still had a monopoly on the “absolute weapon,” but even U.S. statesmen saw the danger of an unbridled atomic arms race. The Baruch Plan supposedly intended to head that off by offering a mode of U.N.-based international control, but Baruch was doomed because it effectively took for granted that Washington would maintain “custodianship” of the bomb, while all other nations—including the Soviet Union—would forgo its development. The U.S. was proposing non-proliferation for other nations without actually intending its own disarmament. That has been the essential American stance ever since, up to and including Iran.
Click the Image Below to View Photos from the United Nations Summit
But on September 25, 1961, President Kennedy proposed to set a different course. The U.S. and the USSR had come to the brink of nuclear war only weeks before, in the crisis over Berlin. (The Berlin Wall had gone up in August.) Both nations had just broken a moratorium to resume nuclear testing. It was the most dangerous moment yet in the Cold War. Kennedy went before the General Assembly and gave what may have been his most important—and now most neglected—speech. He, too, aimed to put nuclear weapons at the top of the global agenda. He proposed a five-point plan: End production of all nuclear weapons; prevent their proliferation; outlaw all nukes in space; gradually destroy them; and establish a permanent U.N. peacekeeping force.
That last point signals that Kennedy was serious, because it assumes some yielding of American sovereignty, which has always been the U.S. bugaboo when it comes to the U.N. Only an international body with real authority over all nations can supervise genuine nuclear elimination. The principle was crystal clear: Non-proliferation for others means disarmament for us. Kennedy not only knew it; he was proposing it. The day after his speech, he signed a bill that created a U.S. government agency to implement his vision—the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Hawks in his administration hated the word “disarmament,” and wanted the agency named simply with the phrase “arms control.” But Kennedy insisted on “disarmament.” The principle would be reflected in the 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is now a matter of law. No non-proliferation among nuclear have-nots without serious commitment to eradication by nuclear haves.
How Rich People Smoke Pot
Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
Justice Clinton?
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
How to Spot an Islamophobe
James Carroll's recent book is Practicing Catholic, a story of American belief. He is a columnist for the Boston Globe and Distinguished-Scholar-in-Residence at Suffolk University. His other books include An American Requiem, which won the National Book Award, House of War, winner of the PEN-Galbraith Award, and Constantine's Sword, now an acclaimed documentary.
Misogynist Massachusetts
James Carroll's recent book is Practicing Catholic, a story of American belief. He is a columnist for the Boston Globe and Distinguished-Scholar-in-Residence at Suffolk University. His other books include An American Requiem, which won the National Book Award, House of War, winner of the PEN-Galbraith Award, and Constantine's Sword, now an acclaimed documentary.
The Christian Anti-Gay Campaign
James Carroll's recent book is Practicing Catholic, a story of American belief. He is a columnist for the Boston Globe and Distinguished-Scholar-in-Residence at Suffolk University. His other books include An American Requiem, which won the National Book Award, House of War, winner of the PEN-Galbraith Award, and Constantine's Sword, now an acclaimed documentary.
gak001
Excellent. It's about time. I'm surprised to see that Russia is so anxious, but it's expensive to maintain these weapons and I'm sure it's a burden that once lifted will free up funds for many other, more beneficial projects.
Bittle
I can just imagine that right-wing nut jobs are thinking Obama is the anti-christ cause he is promising peace.
The left behind series, seriously warped a lot of minds.
sophia5
"promising peace"
Admirable, but is it realistic ?
In life there has always been, and always will be, good and evil.
That's human nature.
There will always be an antagonist and protagonist.
Conflict is part of the human condition.
We don't live in a Kumbaya World.
JDK-JDK
What IS reality and what we WANT reality to be clearly are, a lot of the time, two different things.
How social progress is made is a mostly outlandish proposal is introduced, usually only outlandish because of the near impossibility of it being implemented, and you work your way to the middle... a common-ground.
'Civilized' countries seem to be pointing to nuclear disarmament, being that, as was said previously, the cost alone of maintaining them is very large.
I've said on here before, mutually assured destruction is only destruction... ALL is destroyed... mutually (lol). It makes absolutely no sense if we are trying to make as peaceful a world as we can.
You are very right... it is in no way a 'Kumbaya World'... but what does that mean? Does that mean the US should keep invading countries we don't think are operating the right way? Does that mean we should continue to destabilize regions of the world... making the nuclear option attractive to those we are fighting with? Should we continue to be ideologically opposed to what even our 'friends' think, still trying (and NEVER having succeeded) to impose our 'morals' on the world... causing more destabilizing?
We cannot continue trying to be the Father/Mother to the world. We should be more like a brother or a close cousin... accepting of choices made by those of our extended family but also giving a kind/helpful word should we think it is needed... not invading, shooting, killing, maiming... and then wondering why some think so badly of us.
Yes... there is human nature... of which both good and bad aspects of the human experience are included. But continuing to operate the way we have the past 30-40 years and expecting different results is the definition of insanity.
I'm a fan of a third party (the UN) acting as a task force to see to nuclear disarmament. Less nuclear weaponry is ALWAYS better then more. The only thing the bomb brings is destruction and misery. The biggest mistake this country ever made was dropping the bomb on Japan (especially being that they didn't have to... Russia was nearing Japan and the Japanese were feeling the pressure).
We opened the door to the nuclear arms race. How about we close it, as well.
dirtyrita
>>"In life there has always been, and always will be, good and evil.
>>That's human nature.
>>There will always be an antagonist and protagonist"
not really. it's just human nature to judge it that way.
Mauiboy
The sad truth is that the US and Russia can no longer afford to proliferate nuclear weapons systems. We are on the brink of becoming the world's largest debtor nation, so it's in our best interests to negotiate away these weapons and spend on domestic recovery. People should realize that poverty creates more terrorists than taking on those who "hate our freedoms" does.
Imonlyhere2hateU
Someone on a different article warned me about sophia5, at first I didn't understand why, but now I see.
It seems like nothing that Obama says or does, matters to the reich-wingers, I bet that If Obama saved a baby from shark, the reich-winger wouldn't approve of it for some stupid reason.
numonk
The Bible also seriously warped a lot of minds.
Bittle
It goes without saying that the Bible warped a lot of minds.
Check out http://skepticsannotatedbible.com
sophia5
Obama will meet with Ahmadinejad,
but not with Chris Wallace.
Imonlyhere2hateU
Who is Chris Wallace?
bhavanibbana
Chris Wallace is the boorish Fox News anchor who once suggested that Obama might not be president because the oath was not performed correctly.
A word of advice for the future: Try not to engage sophia5 and her seemingly unending supply of red herrings.
amanda07070
"channel into a new direction" = redirection = sophia5.
Avoid intelligent arguments at all costs = sophia5
mikefromArlington
Chris Wallace is a cry baby. Who would want to meet with him anyways?
piktor
Yeah!
gandolf
Actually, a pretty good point. And Wallace has been distinguishing himself as one of the toughest and most even-handed interviewers, if not journalists, on TV today. No surprise, as his dad Mike, albeit a biased liberal, was still a terrific interviewer.
jds8181
What a tease. I was hoping for "drop the bomb" on Afghanistan. As in, nuke all these 7th century bastards. We'd be doing them all a huge favor anyways. It would be the world's largest single collection of martyrs in history. A one way ticket to paradise with Allah? Sounds like their own personal...heaven! Bring on the virgins!!!
selavy
Palin 2012, right?
neverlate
Obama says a lot of things, he just doesn't mean what he says.
amanda07070
Examples please.
neverlate
He will pay for health care through eliminating waste, fraud and abuse
He will only sign a bill that bends the cost curve and does not add to the national debt (it is clear he will sign any bill he can call reform)
He was forced by circumstance into an "active government role" - like someone forced him to use tax payer dollars to buy GM for the UAW
He really does not know all these radical people who keep popping up from his past (ACORN who - "I did not realize they were getting so much in government funding")
Those are a few just off the top of my head
amanda07070
"He will pay for health care through eliminating waste, fraud and abuse"
How is that saying something and not meaning it? No bill has passed.
"He will only sign a bill that bends the cost curve and does not add to the national debt"
I don't get this either. How is your example related to President Obama not meaning what he says? Ditto for your next comment.
The Acorn thing (and ONLY the Acorn thing) is unfortunate and true.
Farmer-Dave
"He was forced by circumstance into an "active government role" - like someone forced him to use tax payer dollars to buy GM for the UAW"
I believe the Bush administration was the first to bail out GM...
OldCrow
Another fairy tale.
Only those following the 'rules' would eliminate their weapons leaving rouge nations and terrorists with the only remaining nucs.
I wish there was a way to 'un-invent nuclear weapons, but there isn't.
bhavanibbana
You've merely rehashed the argument against gun control. Surely, you can do better.
Farmer-Dave
"rouge nations" - are those the nations who paint their faces?
Soonchurcher
He is so full of shit! I am so sick of his me, me, me speeches and his continuous lies. His arrogance is just disgusting! This guy makes Bush look like a great intellect. For what he did to Poland alone should make him toast. What a pathetic weakling!
Ritarita
Why
Do you have
Church in your name?
piktor
Oh, yes. The ABMs nobody wanted or needed to "defend" Europe against Iran!
U.S. Hostile deaths Jan. - Aug. in Iraq:
2008- 201 military deaths in action
2009- 67 military deaths in action
http://tinyurl.com/yaaxnvl
Obama a coward?
JDK-JDK
What did he 'do' to Poland?
Is he a weakling because he hasn't started a war yet? Because, by now in his term, I believe the shrub had.
piktor
Here's more from the Poland cowardice aftereffects:
"Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met Wednesday with U.S. President Barack Obama, then signaled he could support sanctions against Iran over its efforts to develop a nuclear weapon."- CNN
http://tinyurl.com/mpbudq
amanda07070
You may want to go to church "sooner" than later. Ever actually read the sermon on the mount?
What's he lying about? Please be specific.
There is no one alive that could make Bush look like an intellect.
Mauiboy
Remember these are the same people that are convinced that Bush and Cheney kept us safe after 9/11, as if the first nine months of Bush's administration didn't count!
numonk
Yeah, sure fucked up Poland pretty well.
Makes the Partitions seem like a cakewalk.
I will admit, I am bothered when I'm referred to as "God's Children" in such context. That delusional, genocidal, deity has no place in MY family.
GateKeeper
soonchurcher...put the jack daniels DOWN..you had enough to drink..
Rosenlundkv
Here we go again with another start that will not get finished. The Jr. President seems to be running for King of the World. Why would anyone follow him in the international community when he has thumped Israel, Dissed Poland? Russia is doing what they have done all along played like they are playing along and drinking to the US but in fact they will coldly say No when it is time for commitments. How much is this going to cost us. This has signs of world community on it that we are to pay for. It is time to leach this man in, he is a drunk with a checkbook.
neverlate
This is why we don't put the Left in charge of anything in this country other than "bomb throwing." When will all this silliness end?
amanda07070
The "silliness" will end when people like you open (or grow) your brains.
neverlate
You prove my point. The world will always be full of people that the "Left" sees as "brainless." Just to clarify, the definition of "brainless" for the Left is anyone who doesn't believe in their hair-brain ideology.
piktor
Hey, brainiac, it is "hare-brained"
amanda07070
I wonder where we EVER developed that attitude.
Your hero's and leaders:
Sarah Palin
Glenn Beck
Rush Limbaugh
George Bush
Your Followers:
People who think the above have brains.
Sorry, not time to give more extensive info, I'm in a rush. . . .
jazzsmith
In 1945, Germany was working on a trans-Atlantic bomber called "The Americas Bomber). It would deliver one bomb. No, it wasn't an atomic bomb - they didn't have that technology. It was a conventional explosive surrounded by highly radioactive pellets. Think about what a nuclear fuel rod is; pellets of enriched uranium or plutonium. That's what people in Tel Aviv should be afraid of. Imagine the death. imagine the panic. imagine the uninhabitable land for 1000 years. As long as there are nuclear reactors, we will never be free from the fear of nuclear war.
bhavanibbana
To clarify, the project begun in 1942, and was not designed to carry one bomb, but a significant payload. The intent was to force America to divert air defense from Britain. A number of American sites were targeted, 21 I believe, a number of which were major manufacturing sites. This alone seems to discount your "one bomb" scenario.
The project was scrapped because they were unable to design a system which could carry a large-enough payload. However, the scheme would not have had the impact they woud have liked, unless a nuclear bomb was developed. Obviously, this was a concurrent goal, but Nazi brass were informed in '42 that such a development would take at least two years.
I was unable to find any reference to your dirty-bomb analogy, either. Could you point me to your source on that?
neverlate
The only thing that will eliminate nuclear weapons is if someone comes up with a weapon that negates their effectiveness, or one that is truly more leathal. This is the human condition. Give one example where a significant nation has voluntarily disarmed.
Machiavelli
A significant nation the IRA is not, voluntary disarmament was not the case, but the Good Friday agreement called for the destruction of arms. This act seemingly ended the armed conflict. It has been noted that since then, the IRA or its political wing, Sinn Fé©®, has won the peace. This is a message that could be applied at a global level. Win international political battles with words and not with the threat of assured mutual destruction.
oldpunk
Now he has stopped plans for the missile system in Poland that did not work anyway, Russia has joined in with sanctions against Iran.It looks like the right time to try for getting rid of the Nuclear threat.
Perhaps if some Americans can pull themselves away from re-runs of Fraiser & MASH on TV they might see the cold war ended years ago.
I hope he does well & it works.
winston1
Russia and China are placating him they know a fool when they see one. obama is known over in Europe as President Panty Waist.
djanimaequeen
Your a sad pathetic little person.
oldpunk
How would you know what they think in Europe, Your too small minded to ever leave your country to know?
amanda07070
I have family members in:
France
England
Belgium
Spain
All of them say that the "buzz" about Obama is "THANK GOD someone with a brain and a heart is finally President over there".
Where did you get YOUR information from?
reality4all
Woo-hoo,France and Belgium like us now,as do Libya,Iran ,Venezuela,Cuba,Russia.The utopian society liberals dream about is finally whithin reach!With friends like these,who needs enemies.And to think,all we had to do was apologize.I think Chamberlain summed it up best,and i'm not talking about Wilt "My good friends,this is the second time in our nations history that there has come back from(insert evil country here) to (Pennsylvania Ave.) peace with honour.I believe it is peace for our time!!!We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!And now I recommend you to go home and sleep quietly in your beds." Fast-forward a little while and you get the blitzkrieg.We negotiate with evil and we get WORLD WAR II !
The u.n. is a joke,Obama is a joke,europe is a joke and pacifists are a joke.The only thing brutal regimes understand is force,thats reality.
Oh and by the way amanda07070,here's a few things President Obama has lied about;1."open and transparent government"yea right,2."line by line review of earmarks" he's spent more on pork than any pres. in history,3."lobbyists in his administration"4."troops out of Iraq whithin 16 months of his inauguration",hows that working out for him?I believe he's following president Bush's withdraw timetable if I recall correctly?This is just the tip of the iceberg and after only 9 months in office!Imagine the change he'll bring in the coming three years! Koom-baya,pass the hooka!
Greyfire
Well I hope this will be effective but to be honest anything the UN does has the staying power of wet toilet paper. That is not to say these are bad idea they aren't. We all want a world where people aren't dropping nukes on each other. But if you think for second that a UN resolution will stop anyone from creating Nuclear weapons your dreaming. Those that can will.
Noble goal should not cloud our judgment.
ThinkAgain
hese resolutions are worthless. Did they honor the resolutions against Iraq? NO. And they didn't give a damn that Saddam thumbed their noses at their silly inspections. Our libearls couldn't be bothered to complain about that. Oh No! All they care about is being liked by a bunch of despot dictators around the world.
If anything, all these resolutions do is tie our hands. Everybody else gets to continue doing what they were doing.
But hey, all the dictators who got their power by killing and keep their power by killing and oppressive, love Obama. Finally, they're getting a little respect!
crngndmhm
At least they try. Trying and getting no where is alot better than doing nothing and saying I told you so. Which is all you ever seem to do. Seldom do you contribute anything of use to this site. Your monkier Think Again should only relate to people who think they can have reasonable discourse with you.
reality4all
In this game there are no points for trying,only succeeding.
ThinkAgain
I simply stated an opinion here, followed by examples supporting that opinion. What's so offensive about that, except that it doesn't match yours?
Sorry, but trying to belittle me for disagreeing you isn't what I call reasonable discourse. Maybe someday we'll accidently agree and I'll have the honor of "contributing something of use to this site" bestowed by your highness.
reality4all
Hey think again, isn't it funny how people on this site respond to facts with emotions,its not very challenging.
Thank you.
As a first time user, your comment has been submitted for review. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or two for your comment to be reviewed, depending on the time of week and the volume of comments we receive.