# The scientists who invented the nuclear bomb were worse than Adolf Hitler **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 4, 2008, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924 "2008-09-04T02:07:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/101 "2008-09-04T22:52:15Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > Is that even a serious question? Of course you do. Well, _I_ do. Apparently you haven’t. I’m thinking a 9mm would be more appropriate for a joker of your caliber.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![YamatoTwinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/cc9497/32.png) [@YamatoTwinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YamatoTwinkie)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/102 "2008-09-04T22:54:14Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Your defense argument is that self-defense with a handgun is morally the same as self-defense with a nuclear bomb. > > It’s not. As I have already said - you defend yourself with a handgun, you’re killing or injuring one other person, maybe two if you’re being attacked by two guys, maybe three, who knows. Not many more than that. You defend yourself with a nuclear bomb…how? . And how many civilians can one handgun defend? Maybe a handful. Maybe none, if the guy on the other end is similarly equipped and feels like he can get a shot off before you do. And that’s the problem with guns. They don’t guarantee anything. Imagine how much less gun violence there would be if everyone _knew_ that they would be killed within 30 minutes of ever firing a shot at someone else. Nuclear weapons, on the other hand, are much more effective as a defense, precisely for those reasons. How many nuclear-equipped countries have ever been invaded? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/103 "2008-09-04T22:59:30Z")
> [@JXJohns](#): > > If that were to happen, which I have already taken measures to prevent, would that gun technically be mine still? If someone stole your car, do you give up rights to it? Sure the gun is still yours. You might not hurt anyone, but your gun can. You may protect your guns well, but I know people who refuse to lock their guns up because then it would be harder to get when a burglar tries to break in, which happens once a fortnight the way they tell it. ---
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/104 "2008-09-04T23:09:02Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > The Japanese were working on things like planes that could be launched from submarines, so they weren’t kicking back and taking it easy. They also tried to develop a giant microwave death ray to destroy whole ships in one zap, didn’t they? > [@](#): > > At least until V-E day, the “We better have it before them” attitude works for me. I don’t doubt that Hitler would have used it on his enemies. After V-E day, I don’t know. The Russians started trying to develop nuclear weapons in 1943, I believe. By the time the Nazis were defeated, Stalin’s nuclear ambitions may already have been a concern. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/105 "2008-09-04T23:14:03Z")
> [@WF\_Tomba](#): > > They also tried to develop a giant microwave death ray to destroy whole ships in one zap, didn’t they? Ah, a 1940’s style Death Ray. ---
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/106 "2008-09-04T23:28:43Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > Ah, a 1940’s style Death Ray. Firing just once, they could have put an entire invading fleet at the bottom of the Marianas Trench in about 20 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/107 "2008-09-04T23:39:33Z")
If we outlaw nukes, only outlaws will have nukes. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/108 "2008-09-05T00:48:41Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > No, the question is if there was a “legitimate fear” that your guns might be stolen and used to kill someone; there is. Unless you have a freaking clue of which you speak, which you do not, the answer to that question is no, there is not a _legitimate_ chance, fear, or whatever of my guns being stolen. Should I elaborate or do you want to continue this pointless circle jerk a little further? ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/109 "2008-09-05T00:55:29Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > Wait, you don’t have methamphetamine addicts in Iowa? You know, the ones who break into people’s houses and steal stuff so they can buy drugs? > > You’re telling me that there’s no chance a tweaker could break into your home when you’re at work, crack open your gun cabinet with a crowbar, and steal your firearms? That it’s simply impossible? No there is not. Short of a tornado lifting my home off of it’s foundation, no tweaker, burglar, or anyone else is going to break into my home and steal my stuff. Suffice it to say, I have taken extraordinary measures to insure against this. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/110 "2008-09-05T01:01:34Z")
Let me guess: to get into your house, you and your wife have to turn keys simultaneously. ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/111 "2008-09-05T01:30:10Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Let me guess: to get into your house, you and your wife have to turn keys simultaneously. LOL, not quite. So lets say I take the wife and kids out to dinner tonight. I’ll be gone for about two hours, maybe three. I live in a neighbor hood that is relatively crime free, certainly few, if any burglaries, home invasions or what not. I also live about two miles from the local cop shop. They happen to be pretty good at what they do. To break in, one will either have to figure out how to get through the steel door in the front, or break into the frnch doors on the patio in the back. Lets go with option #2. Said meth-head takes one of my wife’s garden gnomes and throws it into the glass door, shattering it, and steps inside. If the alarm didn’t pick up the broken window, the motion detector caught the asshole walking through the door. The cops will be there in about fifteen minutes tops, assuming they will have to finish their coffee first. Perhaps the douchebag somehow turns off the alarm. Maybe a rogue agent from the security company. In addition, perhaps the cops are in the middle of a high speed chase through downtown Des Moines and will not get to my place anytime soon. They have to know where the guns are, and I don’t exactly leave a trail of bread crumbs to guide them Say they rummage through the basement and find the vault. OK. they have three hours to break into a 10x12 cinderblock vault with 1/8" steel plate reinforcement on the sides. A framed wall with rebar between the studs and a 1/2" piece of drywall on top of that. I have a vault door set in a steel frame that is Department of Justice Certified and fireproof, and a ceiling that is also 1/8" steel plate. There is no legitimate chance or fear that those guns are going anywhere. Like I said, extraordinary for sure. But it also doubles as a tornado shelter and a panic room, should the need arise. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/112 "2008-09-05T01:50:21Z")
> [@JXJohns](#): > > I have a vault door set in a steel frame that is Department of Justice Certified and fireproof, and a ceiling that is also 1/8" steel plate. There is no legitimate chance or fear that those guns are going anywhere. Reminds me of the last time I heard about what happened to a guy who thought _his_ security measures were [solid](http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/05/22/lifelock.flap.ap/). ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/113 "2008-09-05T01:52:01Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > Reminds me of the last time I heard about what happened to a guy who thought _his_ security measures were [solid](http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/05/22/lifelock.flap.ap/). Really? How? I don’t broadcast my address or the combination to the vault or to shut off my alarm or anything. I live a very quiet, unassuming life. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/114 "2008-09-05T01:56:56Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > And the repeating rifles you love so much are not anti personnel.? They are illegal for hunting. They are to kill civilians, a bunch of them at the same time. You have no idea what you’re talking about. On many levels. First of all I don’t know what you mean by repeating rifle. A repeating rifle is any rifle with the capability to fire more than one round. A bolt action rifle is a repeating rifle, as is a lever action rifle or a gas-operated or recoil-operated semi automatic rifle. Repeating rifles are not illegal for hunting. Are you talking about semi-automatic rifles? (I mean, the least you could do if you’re going to argue about this is to look it up on Wikipedia and spend two minutes reading it or something.) Semi automatic rifles are not illegal for hunting. What rifles are “to kill civilians?” Actually I’m not even sure what that sentence means - you probably meant to write “made to kill civilians” or “intended for killing civilians.” I wouldn’t ordinarily nitpick on grammar like that but you, specifically, screw up the grammar all the time, so I want to help you learn. Anyway, if we are talking about rifles, no rifles are created or invented, as far as I know, with the intent of killing civilians. They are meant to kill, injure, or incapacitate enemy personnel. That does not mean civilians. It CAN mean civilians, just like a kitchen knife CAN be used to stab someone to death. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/115 "2008-09-05T02:12:20Z")
> [@WF\_Tomba](#): > > They also tried to develop a giant microwave death ray to destroy whole ships in one zap, didn’t they? Well, yeah…don’t governments hire scientists with the hope that they can realize what seem like far-fetched ideas? Some are crackpots but we put a man on the moon. > [@WF\_Tomba](#): > > The Russians started trying to develop nuclear weapons in 1943, I believe. By the time the Nazis were defeated, Stalin’s nuclear ambitions may already have been a concern. And thus began what would become the “We must now allow a mine shaft gap!” mentality. ![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/VD7_7SXsHU8/maxresdefault.jpg)https://www.youtube.com/embed/VD7_7SXsHU8?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/116 "2008-09-05T02:41:36Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > You have no idea what you’re talking about. On many levels. > > First of all I don’t know what you mean by repeating rifle. A repeating rifle is any rifle with the capability to fire more than one round. A bolt action rifle is a repeating rifle, as is a lever action rifle or a gas-operated or recoil-operated semi automatic rifle. > > Repeating rifles are not illegal for hunting. > > Are you talking about semi-automatic rifles? (I mean, the least you could do if you’re going to argue about this is to look it up on Wikipedia and spend two minutes reading it or something.) Semi automatic rifles are not illegal for hunting. > > What rifles are “to kill civilians?” Actually I’m not even sure what that sentence means - you probably meant to write “made to kill civilians” or “intended for killing civilians.” I wouldn’t ordinarily nitpick on grammar like that but you, specifically, screw up the grammar all the time, so I want to help you learn. Anyway, if we are talking about rifles, no rifles are created or invented, as far as I know, with the intent of killing civilians. They are meant to kill, injure, or incapacitate enemy personnel. That does not mean civilians. > > It CAN mean civilians, just like a kitchen knife CAN be used to stab someone to death. Assault weapons which you think were spelled out in the constitution. Assault weapons are not allowed for hunting, unless you are hunting people. Are you? Sure you can kill people with knives. They actually do cut bread and meat and have all kinds of peaceful uses. Do you use your assault weapon for a doorstop? ---
**Author:** ![Arac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c37758/32.png) [@Arac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arac)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/117 "2008-09-05T02:45:19Z")
[QUOTE=Robby] I think you mean SLBM (submarine-launched ballistic missile) as opposed to SRBM (short-ranged ballistic missile), since modern subs no longer carry the latter (and haven’t for decades). Also, what “space-based weapons” are you referring to? [/QUOTE] I stand corrected, SLBMs it is. As for space-based weaponry, I may well be talking out of my rear end here, but I assumed this was one of those “open-secrets” where it was assumed that the superpowers would undoubtedly have orbiting warheads disguised within peaceful looking satellites. Weapons designed to drop from orbit or detonate in the upper atmosphere for EMP effects without giving the enemy the usual period of launch-warning. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/118 "2008-09-05T02:46:32Z")
> [@JXJohns](#): > > Really? How? Just to the extent that he was just as confident in his security measures as you are in yours. ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/119 "2008-09-05T02:59:05Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Assault weapons which you think were spelled out in the constitution. Assault weapons are not allowed for hunting, unless you are hunting people. Are you? Care to cite what state has outlawed hunting with assault weapons? Mine certainly hasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924/120 "2008-09-05T03:05:39Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > Just to the extent that he was just as confident in his security measures as you are in yours. Yeah, but that guy advertised and asked for it. I am prepared for layer upon layer of failure. I guess he wasn’t. He was so confident that he sold his services. I am not at that level. To be completely honest, it would take a small crew with industrial compressors and jack hammers or perhaps concrete saws a long time to get in. That is really the best one can do. The neighbors would notice such a ruckus and act appropriately. My worst fear is that when my kids get older, they would talk too much to their “friends” and give out the code to get in the house. Even then, I think I am prepared. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-scientists-who-invented-the-nuclear-bomb-were-worse-than-adolf-hitler/461924.md?page=7)