Richard Nixon's final days -- and the nuclear "button."

Let me preface this by saying that I really don't know if there's any truth in this story.

During Nixon's final days, there was much concern about his control over our nuclear arsenal. His last chief-of-staff was Alexander Haig.

The story/rumor/fact?? was that Haig had told the Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon to double check with him on any orders that came from the White House regarding the use of nuclear weapons.

According to this story/rumor/fact??, Haig was afraid that Nixon had become "unbalanced" and might order the launch of nuclear weapons against the USSR.

It was many moons ago, yet I still remember this story as though it had happened yesterday. Does anyone else out there remember hearing about this?

The reason I ask is not so much about Nixon as it is about Bush/Cheney.

the launch codes.

when the president actually had the full authority in regard to those decisions. By Nixon's first term, it was no longer that "simple." It is true, however, that General Haig took steps to limit what capability Nixon had in that area.

some sane person in either the White House or the Pentagon will have both the power and the common sense to stop any nuclear-related launch orders from being carried out.

that must be followed, by law, and it involves both the President and Sec. of Defense - maybe the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs (nobody can make the decision on their own). Of course, if one of them refuses, the President, since he's CiC can just fire everyone down the line until someone follows the order.

George Bush IS the real-life version of Gregg Stillson...