Training Log Archive: BashIn the 1 days ending Aug 5, 2017:
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Saturday Aug 5, 2017 #
Note
Fascinating Radiolab podcast today: "Nukes"
http://www.radiolab.org/story/nukes/
"President Richard Nixon once boasted that at any moment he could pick up a telephone and - in 20 minutes - kill 60 million people. Such is the power of the US President over the nation’s nuclear arsenal. But what if you were the military officer on the receiving end of that phone call? Could you refuse the order? This episode, we profile one Air Force Major who asked that question back in the 1970s and learn how the very act of asking it was so dangerous it derailed his career."
Short version: The missileers - the specialists who would launch intercontinental nuclear missiles - are subject to a strict system of checks and balances. For example, they have to confirm their orders out loud to one another, then they each have to turn a key simultaneously to launch the missile. They both carry weapons, partly to protect themselves from one another in case the other specialist goes rogue.
However, at the top of the chain of command where the orders originate, there are no checks and balances. The decision to launch an ICBM is entirely up to POTUS with no obligation to consult anyone else. One reason is that people believe any nukes launched toward the U.S. would target land-based missile sites so if they don't act within 6 or 7 minutes, they will lose their chance to retaliate.
With all due respect to my Republican friends, this is terrifying given the impulsiveness of the current White House occupant - plus a few other characteristics.
http://www.radiolab.org/story/nukes/
"President Richard Nixon once boasted that at any moment he could pick up a telephone and - in 20 minutes - kill 60 million people. Such is the power of the US President over the nation’s nuclear arsenal. But what if you were the military officer on the receiving end of that phone call? Could you refuse the order? This episode, we profile one Air Force Major who asked that question back in the 1970s and learn how the very act of asking it was so dangerous it derailed his career."
Short version: The missileers - the specialists who would launch intercontinental nuclear missiles - are subject to a strict system of checks and balances. For example, they have to confirm their orders out loud to one another, then they each have to turn a key simultaneously to launch the missile. They both carry weapons, partly to protect themselves from one another in case the other specialist goes rogue.
However, at the top of the chain of command where the orders originate, there are no checks and balances. The decision to launch an ICBM is entirely up to POTUS with no obligation to consult anyone else. One reason is that people believe any nukes launched toward the U.S. would target land-based missile sites so if they don't act within 6 or 7 minutes, they will lose their chance to retaliate.
With all due respect to my Republican friends, this is terrifying given the impulsiveness of the current White House occupant - plus a few other characteristics.
10 AM
Running hills (Trail) 3:12:28 [3] 15.01 km (12:49 / km) +1532m 8:29 / km
slept:5.5 shoes: Salomon Speedcross 4 - Blue
"Elevation Gain" Week continues! Today was pure hills at Georgian Peaks on a beautiful, cool day. My goal was 1500 meters of climb, which is about 6 repeats of the ski hill. I hiked up with poles and ran down at an easy, ankle-safe pace.
I got lucky when Dee, Red and Nicole escorted me for 3 repeats, which made the time fly. So great to see them and hear their news! After that, I listened to podcasts. I missed 15 mins of my track when I forgot to turn the Ambit back on after chatting with a hiker. Data adjusted.
So that's been 2900 m of climbing on foot in the past three days over almost 36 km that took almost 7 hours. That's a little more climbing per km than we'll do each day at Ultra Tour Monte Rosa, which averages 40 km and 3,000 m climb per day with a daily time limit of 12 hrs. I can't replicate the Alps in southern Ontario but I'm getting a little taste of it!
I got lucky when Dee, Red and Nicole escorted me for 3 repeats, which made the time fly. So great to see them and hear their news! After that, I listened to podcasts. I missed 15 mins of my track when I forgot to turn the Ambit back on after chatting with a hiker. Data adjusted.
So that's been 2900 m of climbing on foot in the past three days over almost 36 km that took almost 7 hours. That's a little more climbing per km than we'll do each day at Ultra Tour Monte Rosa, which averages 40 km and 3,000 m climb per day with a daily time limit of 12 hrs. I can't replicate the Alps in southern Ontario but I'm getting a little taste of it!