U.S. seeks to make stolen nukes useless(& ignores more important uranium theft /smuggling bomb)

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-nukes5dec05,0,300445.story?track=tottext

U.S. seeks to make stolen nukes useless(& ignores more important uranium theft /smuggling complete nuclear bomb in)

Bush has told weapons labs to render bombs terrorist-proof. But critics say theft risk is low and more urgent issues are being ignored.

By Ralph Vartabedian
Times Staff Writer

December 5, 2006

LIVERMORE, CALIF. — In response to a secret order from President Bush, the nation's nuclear weapons laboratories are developing technology to make the weapons virtually impossible to use if they fall into the wrong hands.

The security system will be part of a new generation of nuclear weapons, approved formally last week by a special panel of the Defense and Energy departments.

A nuclear bomb equipped with such safeguards could theoretically be left on the streets of Los Angeles or Manhattan and terrorists would be unable, even given months of tinkering, to detonate it. Scientists say they are working on technology that would destroy every component inside — including the plutonium and uranium — if anyone tampered with it.<snip>

"The real threat is the uranium and plutonium materials that are spread across the country in totally inappropriate places and inadequate facilities," said Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight, a Washington group that has long criticized security at Energy Department sites. "So, rather than fixing the problem they have, they are trying to fix a problem they don't have." <snip>

The Energy Department stores weapons-grade materials at many sites, including Livermore, Los Alamos, the Y-12 plant in Tennessee, the Nevada Test Site north of Las Vegas and the Pantex plant in Amarillo, Texas. The department is trying to upgrade protection, but some of its sites fail to meet post-Sept. 11 security standards.

Arr you insane Mr Persindet

...dismantle the bombs.

Just a thought. :shrug:

Making our own bombs "terrorist-proof" won't do a whole lot of good if they buy a Russian nuke on the black market.

you get the picture.

The most secretive Administration in our history let this out? Hmmm...:tinfoilhat:

This would have been useful for the GOP before the election so as to show that they were doing something, no matter that it should be a lower priority than securing our fissionable material and protecting out borders from smuggling bombs in.

So why now?

These kind of thoughts are what keep rational people awake at night.

then why do we need a nuke waste suppository in yucca mountain...?

n/t

And this is "good"?

Yep, I can believe that this one originated in the White House ...

Better, but not great. It's like a pedestrian being hit by a speeding moped instead of semi. Yeah, it's not as bad, but it still sucks!

So, if I walk out of a silo with an ICBM under my coat this little bag with red color splashes over it so that everybody on the black market can INSTANTLY see it's a stolen ICBM and turn me in!!

Great plan!!

How does one prevent uranium or plutonium from being uranium or plutonium and therfor inherently dangerous?

... make them EXPLODE when anybody tries to steal one!!

That would certainly make sure they won't cause any further uncontrolled harm.

although ignoring uranium theft does not.