Re: Al Qaida Nukes in the USA

["jjcohen" <jjcohen@PRODIGY.NET>]

Jim,

    Regardless of the height of the detonation, the effects of the residual radioactivity would be relatively minor compared to the early effects due to blast, shock wave, heat, etc. Unless, of course, you buy into the crap put out by NCRP, EPA, etc. regarding LNT, and low-dose effects in general.   Jerry

  ----- Original Message ----- 

  From: James Barnes 

  To: radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu 

  Sent: Friday, July 16, 2004 7:18 AM

  Subject: Re: Al Qaida Nukes in the USA





  >>> I wonder if the residents of Hiroshima and Nagasaki realize that their cities will still be "unlivable" for another ~950 years?



  Regarding the "unlivability" issue, we should recall that the Hiroshima/Nagasaki detonations occurred about 1500 feet off the ground.  It was not a surface burst, and therefore fallout was not a major issue.



  A terrorist detonation would very likely be a surface burst from a concealed weapon.  The fallout issue would be much different in that scenario.



  The "1,000 year" statement is the kind of marketing tripe that sells books.  But there would be an unpleasant cleanup that would have to be performed, and it is likely that there would be sections (blocks) of the attacked city that would become unusuable for many years.



  Jim Barnes



    ----- Original Message ----- 

    From: Garner, William 

    To: radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu 

    Sent: Friday, July 16, 2004 4:22 AM

    Subject: RE: Al Qaida Nukes in the USA





    In my view, if Osama does have a nuke, please use it on the author...he deserves it. 



    William Garner



    University Of Kentucky



    Radiation Safety Department



    Lexington KY.  40506-0076



    Phone: 323-5795



    Fax:     323-4752



    http://ehs.uky.edu/radiation/







    -----Original Message-----

    From: owner-radsafe@list.Vanderbilt.Edu [mailto:owner-radsafe@list.Vanderbilt.Edu] On Behalf Of jjcohen

    Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2004 7:51 PM

    To: radsafe@list.Vanderbilt.Edu

    Subject: Al Qaida Nukes in the USA







    From the NewsMax Website: http://www.newsmax.com









    Breaking from NewsMax.com



    A new book written by a former FBI consultant claims that al-Qaeda not only has obtained nuclear devices, but also likely has them in the U.S. and will detonate them in the near future. These chilling allegations appear in "Osama's Revenge: The Next 9/11: What the Media and the Government Haven't Told You," by Paul L. Williams (Prometheus Books).



                                <snip>



    Williams says his "intelligence" concludes the most likely means of attack would come in the form of a so-called "suitcase (size) tactical nuclear bomb."



    "The chatter that everyone is referring to is coming from the nest in Pakistan, a virulent nest in Iran, the chatter is all about nukes being here....the best bang for the buck is nuclear, they (al-Qaeda) know that."



    Such bombs are estimated to have an explosive strength of approximately "10 kilotons" and could weigh less than 35 pounds.



    "With today's technology and the Internet, an experienced person could easily assemble such a bomb in his home garage," Williams explained.



    A bomb of that strength could easily level Manhattan and spread lethal radiation throughout the NYC-Metro area says the author. "It (the nuke) could render Manhattan unlivable for 1,000 years," he estimated.



                                            <snip>







    I wonder if the residents of Hiroshima and Nagasaki realize that their cities will still be "unlivable" for another ~950 years? Given the quality of insight exhibited in his "unlivability" assertion, the credibility of rest of the information in William's book might also be considered  somewhat questionable.