Nuclear Officers Napped With Blast Door Left Open 238
Lasrick writes "AP's Robert Burns reports that 'Air Force officers entrusted with the launch keys to long-range nuclear missiles have been caught twice this year leaving open a blast door that is intended to help prevent a terrorist or other intruder from entering their underground command post.' Why is that signifcant? At least one of the officers was napping at the time. Airforce officials said other violations like this have undoubtedly occurred and gone undetected. Yeesh. 'The blast door violations are another sign of trouble in the handling of the nation's nuclear arsenal. The AP has discovered a series of problems within the ICBM force, including a failed safety inspection, the temporary sidelining of launch officers deemed unfit for duty and the abrupt firing last week of the two-star general in charge. The problems, including low morale, underscore the challenges of keeping safe such a deadly force that is constantly on alert but is unlikely ever to be used.'"
Is anybody surprised? (Score:5, Insightful)
Strange... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re: Is anybody surprised? (Score:5, Insightful)
Shall we play a game???
Re:Why hold them to higher standard? (Score:2, Insightful)
The term "Weapons of Mass Destruction" has lost most of its bite since they redefined it to make the Boston bombing sound more damaging than an average industrial accident.
Re:In their defense (Score:5, Insightful)
Your other choices?
Haliburton? Blackwater?
Oracle?
Re:The worst job on earth (Score:4, Insightful)
Arguably, US morale is the lowest it has been since the US Civil War:
Anything is arguable. The post Vietnam War period was worse. You also had in addition your list, widespread drug use and widespread lack of discipline.
Morale is extremely low. If this wasn't the case, there wouldn't be any Snowdens or Assanges.
Neither had anything to do with the US military.
Re:I can't decide... (Score:4, Insightful)
He also has the kill your colleague if they don't follow an order thing wrong.
All those missiles can be controlled from another launch facility, so if one of the missileers doesn't want to turn their key, control of their silos is just assumed by another launch facility and their missiles are launched anyway.
The sidearms were for defense of the facility, not to use on fellow officers is my understanding.
Re:Why hold them to higher standard? (Score:4, Insightful)
So... basically what you're saying is, the people our government puts in charge of the most deadly, destructive arsenal ever known are, essentially, the worst of the worst and laziest of laziest?
I wish I hadn't found that out.
Re:In their defense (Score:5, Insightful)
I always find it funny how people complain about the ineptitude of the government when it is a reflection of the society as a whole. You don't like it, do something about it. Or, you know, act like the people in your government act and just pass the buck while complaining. See, it works out perfectly.