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Validators! Mount Up!
Travis | Apr 15, 2010 |
0 Because this is Washington and it’s not what is said—it’s who says it—below are three statements from the last 24 hours worth bookmarking. Chilton, Schlesinger, and D’Agostino are not members of the Obama amen chorus, but in these comments, where they had the freedom and responsibility to speak their minds, they spoke forcefully about how New START, the Nuclear Posture Review, and the Obama administration’s budget plans will protect and strengthen U.S. national security.
Let’s not forget these key validators’ comments as U.S. nuclear weapons policy moves to the political arena, where hacks and clowns will inevitably get everything wrong...
1. General Kevin Chilton, STRATCOM Commander:
Based on [STRATCOM’s] analysis and through continued discussions with DoD leadership, my view is that [the NPR and New START] and associated budgetary investments continue to support these deterrence requirements, and that the New START agreement warhead and platform numbers provide appropriate military flexibility.
[snip]
I am confident that the NPR and New START outline an approach that continues to enable the men and women of U.S. Strategic Command to deliver global security for America today and in the future.
2. Former SecDefs William Perry and James Schlesinger, leaders of the U.S. Strategic Posture Commission:
Now that the NPR is completed, we see that it is compatible with our recommendations. The review gives a comprehensive and pragmatic plan for reducing nuclear risks to the United States. We believe it offers a bipartisan path forward — while allowing for healthy disagreements on specific issues.
[snip]
We also see that the NPR puts special emphasis, as our report recommended, on improving the nation’s complex nuclear infrastructure and enhancing programs to recruit and keep the nation’s best scientific minds. The administration’s commitment to increase investment in our national laboratories also ensures that they continue their important role in sustaining a safe, secure and effective nuclear arsenal and in solving many other problems facing the nation.
3. NNSA Administrator Thomas D'Agostino:
The Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) reaffirms President Obama’s commitment to providing the Department of Energy and its National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) the resources required to support the President’s nuclear security agenda and maintain the safety, security and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear deterrent without underground testing.
[snip]
This NPR reflects that commitment [to sustain a safe, secure, and effective nuclear arsenal] and our budget request, if approved, would provide the resources required to make that possible.
[snip]
Further, the Administration’s commitment to a clear and long-term plan for managing the stockpile ensures the scientists and engineers of tomorrow will have the opportunity to engage in challenging research and development activities that are essential to their recruitment and retention.
(Disclaimer: If Chilton or T-D’ag said anything at HASC yesterday that contradicted their written testimonies excerpted above, I reserve the right to revise and extend my remarks)
(Title lifted from, 15 years later, still one of the best jams ever)
Nukes on a Blog, Congress, Senate, New START, Posture Review (all tags)
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