# Trump Tweets Apparent Call for More U.S. Nuclear Weapons **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 22, 2016, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411 "2016-12-22T23:57:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![HeweyLogan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heweylogan/32/547_2.png) [@HeweyLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeweyLogan)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/81 "2016-12-23T23:16:15Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > That’s very stupid of Putin. It is unwise to copy stupid things. Tell him that. I’m sure he’ll listen. Since that won’t take a long after that tell China you’re not happy with their takeover of the South China Sea. Within twenty minutes you got it all solved. Reminds me of how Obama handled foreign affairs. Lectures don’t do squat. Take to them in a language that works - strength. They are our enemies, right? > [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Yes, if you’re talking about the economy, infrastructure, investment in education and research. > > But if you’ve talking about getting more nuclear weapons so we can destroy the entire world 5 times instead of 4 times? > > No. > > This is just fucking insane. > **[Russia tests prototype nuclear warhead for Satan II which could destroy Britain](https://metro.co.uk/2016/10/27/russia-tests-prototype-nuclear-warhead-for-satan-ii-which-could-destroy-britain-twice-6217702/)** > > Troops fired an RS-18 ballistic missile from a site near Yasny, Orenburg on Tuesday. \*\*\*Russia has reportedly tested a prototype of a controversial new nuclear warhead. Strategic missile troops fired an RS-18 ballistic missile from a site near Yasny, Orenburg on Tuesday. It is believed to have been a test for Russia’s hypersonic glider warhead, known as object 4204, that may be able to counter the US anti-missile systems.\*\*\* Not to mention them blatantly ignoring the START Treaty. [http://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2016/11/02/the\_russian\_nuclear\_weapons\_buildup\_110294.html](http://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2016/11/02/the_russian_nuclear_weapons_buildup_110294.html) _**The data indicate that five and a half years into the New START Treaty’s seven year reduction period, the number of accountable deployed Russian strategic nuclear warheads has further increased to 1,796, well above the New START ceiling of 1,550, which goes into effect in February 2018.[1] On the other hand, accountable, deployed U.S. strategic nuclear warheads have declined from 1,800 at New START Treaty entry into force (EIF) in early 2011, to 1,367, well below the New START limit.**_ Lecturing isn’t working. Red lines aren’t working. Want more of the same? ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/82 "2016-12-23T23:27:21Z")
> [@HeweyLogan](#): > > . . . They [China] are our enemies, right? . . . Are they? One of our biggest trading partners, with each economy hugely dependent on the other…is also an enemy? Probably “rival” is a better word. ---
**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:** [December 23, 2016, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/83 "2016-12-23T23:31:34Z")
I somehow fail to see the big deal. If Russia wants to ramp up warhead production, they’ll (further) bankrupt themselves in the effort, while the U.S. can maintain or even slightly reduce its stockpile and, as long as it maintains a solid communications infrastructure and technological sophistication, be more than capable or engaging in large-scale strategic bombing of Russia and China and anyone else. Trump is like any other low-information blusterer with a twitter feed; spouts off unsophisticated and undereducated bombast with little regard for accuracy, and he’ll be your president next month, suckers. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/84 "2016-12-23T23:33:44Z")
I’m not worried about an arms race with Russia. As far as Trump’s concerned, they’re an ally. His enemies, similar to Putin’s, are the dangerous Mooslums infiltrating the west and terrorizing the planet. What better way to destroy them and show everyone how big your cock is than to ramp up your nukes WITH Russia by your side. The way Putin is playing Trump, he’ll be emperor of the Russo-American Empire within eight years. ---
**Author:** ![HeweyLogan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heweylogan/32/547_2.png) [@HeweyLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeweyLogan)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/85 "2016-12-23T23:42:49Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I somehow fail to see the big deal… They’re just breaking a Treaty and working on a better means for first strike capabilities. No big deal. Fucking A. Feel the same way about the Iran agreement? ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/86 "2016-12-23T23:58:17Z")
> [@HeweyLogan](#): > > Since it’s only at the Tweet stage right now, Oh thats bloody hilarious!!! The tweet stage!!! The president-elect of the United States of America is at the tweet stage!!! Seriously, can you yanks really not see how pathetic this all is? That the guy you voted for president is tweeting away like a silly little girl? You used to have statesmen for gods sake, now you have some moron slabbering away in 140 characters and you all talk like its normal, what on earth happened to you guys? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2016, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/87 "2016-12-24T00:00:28Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > Oh thats bloody hilarious!!! The tweet stage!!! The president-elect of the United States of America is at the tweet stage!!! > > Seriously, can you yanks really not see how pathetic this all is? That the guy you voted for president is tweeting away like a silly little girl? You used to have statesmen for gods sake, now you have some moron slabbering away in 140 characters and you all talk like its normal, what on earth happened to you guys? You are quite incorrect. We don’t all talk like that. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2016, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/88 "2016-12-24T00:07:08Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > Oh thats bloody hilarious!!! The tweet stage!!! The president-elect of the United States of America is at the tweet stage!!! > > Seriously, can you yanks really not see how pathetic this all is? That the guy you voted for president is tweeting away like a silly little girl? You used to have statesmen for gods sake, now you have some moron slabbering away in 140 characters and you all talk like its normal, what on earth happened to you guys? We Democrats fell asleep. It’s shameful. ---
**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:** [December 24, 2016, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/89 "2016-12-24T00:10:27Z")
> [@HeweyLogan](#): > > They’re just breaking a Treaty and working on a better means for first strike capabilities. No big deal. If that’s the issue then Trump is even more clueless than his tweet implied. Anyway, the Russians already have a first-strike capability. What they don’t have is an immunity-to-retaliation capability. > [@](#): > > Feel the same way about the Iran agreement? I’m not nearly as emotionally invested in this one (that is to say, not at all, really). Trump hasn’t been at all shy about calling it a bad deal, though he’s been _painfully_ shy about explaining _why_ it’s a bad deal. Anyway, if Iran wants to openly pursue nuclear weapons capability, the various sanctions can reattach and so forth. ---
**Author:** ![HeweyLogan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heweylogan/32/547_2.png) [@HeweyLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeweyLogan)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2016, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/90 "2016-12-24T00:19:15Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > Oh thats bloody hilarious!!! The tweet stage!!! The president-elect of the United States of America is at the tweet stage!!! > > Seriously, can you yanks really not see how pathetic this all is? > > That the guy you voted for president is tweeting away like a silly little girl? You used to have statesmen for gods sake, now you have some moron slabbering away in 140 characters and you all talk like its normal, what on earth happened to you guys? It is pretty silly. But plenty of Democrats and people here think it’s the end of the world as we know it. Or arguments insinuating that. Look at the reactions above? Until it moves on to a more formal policy and is implemented, as I said, I really don’t care what he tweets. In fact I kind of like it. I’d also like it if we finally challenged some people that need challenging lately instead of what’s been going on the last few years around the world. If he decides to increase / modify / whatever to beat / counter the Russians, Chinese, whoever? Great. Peace through strength. I’m all for it. ---
**Author:** ![Randolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Randolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randolph)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2016, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/91 "2016-12-24T00:28:11Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > In a few months, his blather will simply be ignored, at least by the adults in other countries. What percentage do we estimate as adults, and how many of them do we suppose are in control? ---
**Author:** ![HeweyLogan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heweylogan/32/547_2.png) [@HeweyLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeweyLogan)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2016, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/92 "2016-12-24T00:39:18Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > If that’s the issue then Trump is even more clueless than his tweet implied. How so? Or do you mean because … > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > … the Russians already have a first-strike capability. What they don’t have is an immunity-to-retaliation capability… It’s more than just a first strike capability (if you’d read the article you’d know this) it’s also their desire to develop nuclear warheads that evade our defense systems. Combine that with their blatant disregard for Treaties and agreed upon terms, and your idea of 'who cares, it doesn’t interest me… we can just nuke ‘em back MAD style’ is based more on dissing Trump and less on understanding the world and where we stand in it. Because what you’re proposing is nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2016, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/93 "2016-12-24T01:17:46Z")
> [@Randolph](#): > > What percentage do we estimate as adults, and how many of them do we suppose are in control? Pretty much all Western democracies are run by adults,who are fully in charge of their own countries, and run them very well without spewing forth on twitter like Trump with whatever dumb idea happens to float across his tiny brain-stem at any given time. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2016, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/94 "2016-12-24T01:21:26Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I’m not worried about an arms race with Russia. As far as Trump’s concerned, they’re an ally. His enemies, similar to Putin’s, are the dangerous Mooslums infiltrating the west and terrorizing the planet. What better way to destroy them and show everyone how big your cock is than to ramp up your nukes WITH Russia by your side. The way Putin is playing Trump, he’ll be emperor of the Russo-American Empire within eight years. Putin sent Der Donald a Christmas card, where he reveals his dreams of taking their relationship to the next level. ([Amid Talk of Arms Race, Donald Trump Offers More Praise for Vladimir Putin](http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/amid-talk-arms-race-donald-trump-offers-more-praise-vladimir-n699566?cid=sm_fb)) > [@NBC News](#): > > Donald Trump once again praised Vladimir Putin, but this time, the kudos came after he released a friendly letter from the Russian leader — and mere hours after the president-elect acknowledged that he’s willing to enter into a nuclear arms race. > > Putin wrote the Christmas greeting to Trump more than a week ago on Dec. 15, and said he wants to bring U.S.-Russian “collaboration on the international scene to a qualitatively new level.” And this is how it begins. An alliance, a partnership to defeat ISIS/islam, a unification, and next thing you know, we’re all learning Russian and pledging allegiance to His Majesty Putin. Trump is a dumb motherfucker, with an ego, surrounded by people of questionable ethics, beloved by people who maniacally express hate for brown people and muslims, and he’s so easily manipulated. Putin has found a path to do what his political forefathers only dreamed of: conquering America. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2016, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/95 "2016-12-24T01:22:43Z")
> [@HeweyLogan](#): > > It’s more than just a first strike capability (if you’d read the article you’d know this) it’s also their desire to develop nuclear warheads that evade our defense systems. If that is the case, then what should be done is to ramp up research into our defense systems, not spew idiocy on Twitter about getting more nukes. Twitter for God’s sake. This is now how policies of the United States are revealed to the world; Absolute rambling blather, without a though given to consequences or actual ramifications of the policy. If I worked for the State Department in any capacity, I’d be looking to move elsewhere, because the shit is going to hit the fan at some point. ---
**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:** [December 24, 2016, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/96 "2016-12-24T12:25:33Z")
> [@HeweyLogan](#): > > How so? > > Or do you mean because … > > It’s more than just a first strike capability (if you’d read the article you’d know this) it’s also their desire to develop nuclear warheads that evade our defense systems. Ha, _what_ defense systems? As a matter of practicality, the Americans might be able to knock down a handful of missiles, but a handful of missiles as a “first strike” just means the attacker gets utterly destroyed. > [@](#): > > Combine that with their blatant disregard for Treaties and agreed upon terms, and your idea of 'who cares, it doesn’t interest me… we can just nuke ‘em back MAD style’ is based more on dissing Trump and less on understanding the world and where we stand in it. Because what you’re proposing is nuts. What exactly do you think I am proposing? And I’ll keep on casually dissing Trump when he does things that are foolish. I expect to have lots and lots of opportunity. ---
**Author:** ![HeweyLogan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heweylogan/32/547_2.png) [@HeweyLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeweyLogan)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2016, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/97 "2016-12-24T14:13:46Z")
I think you’re proposing we doing nothing in the face of what I brought up - Ignoring Treaties? Eh, it’s no big deal. Who cares. In countering activities and attempts to defeat our defenses? Oh please, like that would make a difference. Further it seems your plan is an all out nuclear response to even one nuke used against us. MAD. When asked what you’d do about the Iran arrangement, you turn to agreements already in place to keep them in check, completely dismissing that you’d ignore and Treaties we’re already following that Russia isn’t. So kind of all fucked up if I’m reading you right. Pick and choose but essentially never doing anything. ---
**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:** [December 24, 2016, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/98 "2016-12-24T14:15:51Z")
> [@HeweyLogan](#): > > I think you’re proposing we doing nothing in the face of what I brought up - Ignoring Treaties? Then you’re wrong. There are diplomatic and economic mechanisms to deal with this sort of thing. Taking to twitter isn’t one of them. ---
**Author:** ![HeweyLogan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heweylogan/32/547_2.png) [@HeweyLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeweyLogan)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2016, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/99 "2016-12-24T14:31:33Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Then you’re wrong. There are diplomatic and economic mechanisms to deal with this sort of thing. Taking to twitter isn’t one of them. Taking to Twitter seems to be effective though. It’s got your side (and experts!) all up in arms and afraid. I’m sure his message reached the Kremlin (and one would hope China as well). If what comes out of this is either countries (and others) backing down and reassessing then great. Nice and cheap and avoids the tedious diplomatic and economic sanctions you prefer and would propose to do (in all issues? Military never comes into it? - an aside as I’m typing). If it moves beyond that point into policy and action I expect a different means for disclosing that and I assume it would be taken. If not then I’d start to bitch and complain. But not at this stage. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2016, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411/100 "2016-12-24T14:34:17Z")
> [@HeweyLogan](#): > > Taking to Twitter seems to be effective though. Would you ever listen to yourself for gods sake. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tweets-apparent-call-for-more-u-s-nuclear-weapons/775411.md?page=6)