The Taliban has is down to 1 last stronghold and the war in Afghanistan nearly over (At least that is what we are told). Where to go next seems to be the question our politicians are asking. What I do not understand is why haven't we asked How instead of where. Afghanistan seems to be a success for the moment but we cannot go around bombing the &*$@ out of any country that dares protect a citizen that WE claim to be terrorists. We have yet to even describe the terrorists we are talking about. There is a fine line between terrorists and revolutionists. I have heard Iraq as a possible target. I thought we were combating TERRORISM????? Shouldn't the targets be organizations? Since when did this involve countries. The only reason a war on Afghanistan was declared supposedly was their refusal to hand over Bin Laden and destroy Al Qaeda camps. Is this reasonable and consistent with the original purpose or the war???? There really is no way to combat terrorism without everyone's consent. Strangely enough there are no terrorists in countries that are friendly to the US (yea right). As a matter of fact, both terrorists come from areas with high oil interests that are not friendly to the US. Is it possible that the US will attempt to use this war to control those with the oil? The war with Afghanistan had enough reason with just the WTC but many bad things start with good intentions. Hatred and revenge tend not to leave even after the group/person has been killed. Hopefully we will be smart enough to control our feelings. How should we proceed with the fight against terrorism???? A problem also arises when you realize that most terrorists come from middle-eastern Islamic countries. The reason is simple enough: that area has been on a holy war between Islam and Christianity for hundreds of years. Not to mention it holds resources the entire world needs. The US supporting Israel is enough to make the entire area hate it. Now all they are going to see is a bully trying to commit genocide and Christianity trying to stomp out Islam. To help middle eastern opinion along, there are 0 American force casualties due to combat and 6 due to accidents. Many Northern Alliance troops have died and they are fighting for us. Not only are we committing genocide and religious cleansing but are also coercing their own people to do the dirty work for us. Don't forget the number of civilians killed either. On top of that a government is established by the US and the UN. This is looking worse and worse. I know if I were a middle-eastern or Islamic I would not be happy. How do we deal with this or is it simply a problem of selective targeting???? Input please.
Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! I suppose if Germany or France had refused to deal with Al Qaeda, or any other country, we would be different towards them. Things tend to follow logic, so maybe having Iraq and Afghhanistan as targets follows some sort of logic? Saying that something's up because we are only attacking Muslim countries (or did you say they were only the ones our government recognized as having terrorists? You're wrong there, we don't just say, "There's a terrorist in Afghanistan! Destroy the Taliban!" That's like saying "There's a murderer in France! Arrest the French. And now simply we don't do that.) makes very little relevant sense. Surely they're muslim-we all know that. What should you do-accuse the US of racism and not bother to wonder if things would be different if it were a Christian state? We attack certain countries because they fit into the cookie-cutter of our doctrine. Like you have to have a, b, and c in this order to get bombed. Give Germany a, b, and c in that order and...KABOOM! Although Germany has quite a bit of sense in her so that makes little sense happening. But if it does, then Germany becomes victim to the War on Terrorism. Better watch your back, you just might be the next target yourself. Things are tending to work themselves out from this new doctrine, as they should. Maybe we should have a thread discussing the cause; the basis behind the Bush Doctrine. Why or why not does it make sense? Then maybe arguing over these silly things will finally seem silly.
I seem to have been unclear. Sorry but I was very tiered and have not posted in a while. Have to get my brain back on the right track Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! I have C/P my first post and explained in sections. That was not the message I was attempting to get across. Ill be more coherent this time. This really seems to go across each question. ME I am not saying there is something up because we are only targeting Muslim or Islamic countries. I don't even think those are part of choosing targets. I question the fact that Iraq was stated as a next possible target and NOT the terrorists themselves. As I understood things this was a fight against those specific organizations and people. This is not a war against countries. Iraq should not even be considered an enemy until a terrorist is identified that requires our attention is withheld. Things need to be done before war is considered. IOW if the fact that Iraq's Oil resources are the point and the war on terrorism is simply a good excuse. It is un-reasonable if the war on terrorism is misused to allow us to war on whomever we choose. How should we proceed with the fight against terrorism???? War cannot be the answer each time a country disagrees about a terrorist. How are we supposed to deal with future Afghanistans. ME Yes we would, but we can not have that bias. We are not fighting the Germans so there should be no problem with using the same scrutiny for a possible terrorist within its borders. This includes US soil as well. My question deals with Middle Eastern and Muslim people, not Americans. Not even weather or not it is true is not the concern here. It is how the population of the mid east will react. So what if it is not our intention to destroy Islam, if Islamic people see it that way they will react accordingly. What we have identified but seem to be completely ignoring is the ability of this war to create terrorism instead of combating it. Islamic people may turn fanatic much easier. We may find that there are more enemies than we can handle. No matter what the intentions, America MUST show it is acting as peacemaker and not threatening anything other than terrorists. I don't think any of this is silly. All of it left silly when 6000 Americans died only to bring about the deaths of a thousand others.
IN TIMES OF "WAR" OPERATION MANDATORY PATRIOTIC TATTOO HAS BEEN CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF As part of OHS's broad, discretionary power to enact any and all initiatives which may or may not prove effective in America's ongoing fight against terrorism, Governor Tom Ridge has today unilaterally passed into law legislation requiring every last man, woman, and child in the nation to obtain an exciting new breed of tattoo. Modeled on the ubiquitous Universal Product Code (UPC), the Subcutaneous Patriotic Intelligence Tattoo (SPIT) acts as both a unique identifier and a satellite-trackable global positioning device, enabling the wearer to rest easy in the knowledge that s/he is both quantifiable and qualifiable in the eyes of the government. Every American will have their choice of either of the two exciting SPIT executions applied under sterile conditions by Federally appointed tattoo technicians - beginning in February, 2002. Be vigilant! The enemy is all around. Americans observing any of the following are hereby commanded to contact the FBI immediately: - Brown-skinned persons conversing in heated jibberish - Turban-wearing persons demonstrating emotions other than all-American bliss and contentment - Sidewalk falafel vendors of ambiguous ethnicity who are unwilling to make change for a fifty - Arabic store owners or cab drivers who have not begun prominently displaying at least 3 American flags - Middle Eastern persons who become visibly uncomfortable and/or upset when confronted with your suspicious and hostile stares - Burka-clad transvestites - Any and all individuals not gushing boundless praise for the current administration
THE WAR After we clean up the Taliban and place a new gov't in Afghanistan, we will continue to hunt down whatever remnants are of al-Qaeda are in there. While the heavy miltary action switches to specialops, survalience and limited air support in Afghan., we should probably move our guns onto Iraq. Hussein will go down like he did in the first Persian Gulf War, or like we took out the Taliban in Afghanistan. Either the US and her allies will deploy tanks and other means to Iraq, from Kuwait, Turkey, maybe Saudi Arabia and take him out. If not that then we will aid northern and southern resistance groups, i.e. the Iraqi National Congress to tople the regime. Either way Naval and Air Force airpower will do the brunt of the destruction. Likely gov't targets after Iraq are Lybia, some middle eastern countries, and less likely but plausable are N. Korea, and Iran. We need to work with gov'ts and other forces to destroy the terrorist networks in Palestine, Syria, Indoniesa, the Phillipeans, S. America, Mexico, Canada, the US itself, Europe the Central Asian states, and Checnya. We've got of places to get the terrorists. If the nations don't want to help us track down these people or freeze their assets I think it would be according for the US to limit their business dealings with these countries who aid terrorism.
Iran, Iraq, and Libia should certainly be on the list. All are supporters, both openly and actively, of terrorism. I would think that Saddam most likely has the hint already. We haven't heard the bad boy mouthing off anymore since the last time right after the WTC bombing when he thought it would be hypocritic to state his true feelings in the face of the disaster. Mummar Qadafi was unusually silent also. Of course he has been since we last visited him. Could be he got the message but I would not bet on it.
I seem to lack the information you haver access to - what terrorist groups are these countries presently supporting? Turkey will in all probablility not allow the US to launch an invasion from Turkish soil - Kuwait and Saudi certainly not. The Arab League has already stated publicly (and Kuwait and Saudi are in full agreement) that if the US attacks Iraq they will condemn the action and withdraw from the coalition against terrorism. What opposition are you talking about? INC is simply a talking shop with about 300 active members based in London. Kurds? Shi'a Arabs from Basra province? They can't take on the Iraqi army. It looks like the US really does want to hit Iraq - bit of payback for daddy's humiliation from Jr? They risk destroying the coalition if they do though - even the UK is opposed.
Hussein has flagrantly defied all of the UN measures he agreed to after the cease fire in '91. The government has sufficent evidence linking Hussein's support of Bin Laden, al-Qaeda, and the Palestnian terrorist groups. This is a government supporting terrorism, which needs to be taken out. Obvioulsy Saudi Arabia won't allow the US to attack Saddam from Saudi soil, Kuwait, however let us place 2,000 more troops there a few weeks ago. Turkey would actually allow an attack from their soil, they wouldn't be happy about it but they would. When we present evidence to the UK and Russia, which may have been done they will probably follow us into Iraq. It seems to me that the US will do the large amount of fighting, in tandem with resistance forces, which have been protected by the N. and S. No fly zones. Remember these zones are enforced by British planes as well as American ones. The UK, US, and Russia are the three most important countries in going after Iraq. The Arabs will publically be disatisfied with an attack on Iraq, but privatley rejoice. Most of the Arab gov'ts don't like Saddam, because he is a loose cannon in the area. Iraq is almost certain to be next, if he doesn't let UN weapons inspectors back in the country in x-amount of time.
Why do you think we never killed him in the first place! THIS IS NOT A WAR ON GGOVRENMENTS OR COUNTRIES! That is where we are loosing sight and that will be our downfall. This is going to cause MORE terrorism, not help prevent it.
Lets bomb IRAQ! Iraq may manufacture chemical weapons such as nerve gas. Anyone who makes nerve gas should be nuked. 9 September 1998 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET LETHAL NERVE AGENT (VX) SECTION I - GENERAL INFORMATION DATE: 14 September 1988 REVISED: 28 February 1996 MANUFACTURER'S ADDRESS: U.S. ARMY CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL DEFENSE COMMAND EDGEWOOD RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING CENTER (ERDEC) ATTN: SCBRD-ODR-S ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD 20101-5423 Emergency telephone #' s: 0700-1630 EST: 410-671-4411/4414 After: 1630 EST: 410- 278-5201, Ask for Staff Duty Officer CAS REGISTRY NUMBERS: 50782-69-9, 51848-47-6, 53800-40-1, 70938-84-0 CHEMICAL NAME: O-ethyl-S-(2-iisopropylaminoethyl) methyl phosphonothiolate TRADE NAME AND SYNONYMS: Phosphonothioic acid, methyl-, S-(2-bis(1-methylethylamino)ethyl) 0-ethyl ester O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothiolate S-2-Diisopropylaminoethyl O-ethyl methylphosphonothioate S-2((2-Diisopropylamino)ethyl) O-ethyl methylphosphonothiolate O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothioate O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methylthiolphosphonoate S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) o-ethyl methyl phosphonothiolate Ethyl-S-dimethylaminoethyl methylphosphonothiolate VX EA 1701 TX60 CHEMICAL FAMILY: Sulfonated organophosphorous compound FORMULA/CHEMICAL STRUCTURE: C11H26NO2PS NFPA 704 HAZARD SIGNAL: Health - 4 Flammability - 1 Reactivity - 1 Special - 0 SECTION II - HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS INGREDIENTS EXPOSURE FORMULAPERCENTAGE BY WEIGHT AIRBORNE EXPOSURE LIMIT (AEL)VXC11H26NO2PS100%0.0001 mg/m3 SECTION III - PHYSICAL DATA BOILING POINT : 298 C (568 F) VAPOR PRESSURE (mm Hg): 0.0007 @ 20 C VAPOR DENSITY (AIR=1): 9.2 FREEZING/MELTING POINT : Below -51 C LIQUID DENSITY (g/cc): 1.0083 @ 20 C PERCENTAGE VOLATILE BY VOLUME: 10.5 mg/m3 @ 25 C SOLUBILITY: Slightly soluble in water at room temperature. Soluble in organic solvents. APPEARANCE AND ODOR: Colorless to straw colored liquid & odorless, similar in appearance to motor oil. SECTION IV - FIRE AND EXPLOSION DATA FLASHPOINT: 159 C (McCutchan - Young) FLAMMABILITY LIMITS (% by volume): Not Available LOWER EXPLOSIVE LIMIT: Not Applicable UPPER EXPLOSIVE LIMIT: Not Applicable EXTINGUISHING MEDIA: Water mist, fog, foam, CO2. Avoid using extinguishing methods that will cause splashing or spreading of the VX. SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES: All persons not engaged in extinguishing the fire should be immediately evacuated from the area. Fires involving VX should be contained to prevent contamination to uncontrolled areas. When responding to a fire alarm in buildings or areas containing VX , fire fighting personnel should wear full firefighter protective clothing (without TAP clothing) during chemical agent firefighting and fire rescue operations. Respiratory protection is required. Positive pressure, full face piece, NIOSH-approved self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) will be worn where there is danger of oxygen deficiency and when directed by the fire chief of chemical accident/incident (CAI) operations officer. In cases where firefighters are responding to a chemical accident/incident for rescue/reconnaissance purposes they will wear appropriate levels of protective clothing (See Section VIII). Do not breathe fumes. Skin contact with nerve agents must be avoided at all times. Although the fire may destroy most of the agent, care must still be taken to assure the agent or contaminated liquids do not further contaminate other areas or sewers. Contact with liquid VX or vapors can be fatal. UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS: None known. SECTION V - HEALTH HAZARD DATA AIRBORNE EXPOSURE LIMITS (AEL): The permissible airborne exposure concentration for VX for an 8-hour workday of a 40-hour work week is an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 0.00001 mg/m3. This value can be found in "AR 40-8, Occupational Health Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Occupational Exposure to Nerve Agents GA, GB, GD, and VX." To date, however, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has not promulgated a permissible exposure concentration for VX. VX is not listed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), or National Toxicology Program (NTP) as a carcinogen. EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE: VX is a lethal cholinesterase inhibitor. Doses which are potentially life-threatening may be only slightly larger than those producing least effects. Death usually occurs within 15 minutes after absorption of a fatal dosage. VX Route ocular inhalation inhalation (15 1/min) inhalation (15 1/min) percutaneousForm vapor vapor vapor vapor liquidEffect miosis runny nose severe incapacitation death deathType ECt50 ECt50 ICt50 LCt50 LD50Dosage < 0.09 mg-min/m3 < 0.09 mg-min/m3 25 mg-min/m3 30 mg-min/m3 10 mg/70 kg manEffective dosages for vapor are estimated for exposure durations of 2-10 minutes. Symptoms of overexposure may occur within minutes or hours, depending upon the dose. They include: miosis (constriction of pupils) and visual effects, headaches and pressure sensation, runny nose and nasal congestion, salivation, tightness in the chest, nausea, vomiting, giddiness, anxiety, difficulty in thinking, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, muscle twitches, tremors, weakness, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, involuntary urination and defecation. With severe exposure symptoms progress to convulsions and respiratory failure. EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES: INHALATION: Hold breath until respiratory protective mask is donned. If severe signs of agent exposure appear (chest tightens, pupil constriction, incoordination, etc.), immediately administer, in rapid succession, all three Nerve Agent Antidote Kit(s), Mark I injectors (or atropine if directed by physician). Injections using the Mark I kit injectors may be repeated at 5 to 20 minute intervals if signs and symptoms are progressing until three series of injections have been administered. No more injections will be given unless directed by medical personnel. In addition, a record will be maintained of all injections given. If breathing has stopped, give artificial respiration. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation should be used when approved mask-bag or oxygen delivery systems are not available. Do not use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation when facial contamination exists. If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen. Seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY. EYE CONTACT: IMMEDIATELY flush eyes with water for 10-15 minutes, then don respiratory protective mask. Although miosis (pinpointing of the pupils) may be an early sign of agent exposure, an injection will not be administered when miosis is the only sign present. Instead, the individual will be taken IMMEDIATELY to a medical treatment facility for observation. SKIN CONTACT: Don respiratory protective mask and remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with copious amounts of soap and water, 10% sodium carbonate solution, or 5% liquid household bleach. Rinse well with water to remove excess decontaminant. Administer nerve agent antidote kit, Mark I, only if local sweating and muscular twitching symptoms are observed. Seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY . INGESTION: Do not induce vomiting. First symptoms are likely to be gastrointestinal. IMMEDIATELY administer Nerve Agent Antidote Kit, Mark I. Seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY . SECTION VI - REACTIVITY DATA STABILITY: Relatively stable at room temperature. Unstabilized VX of 95% purity decomposes at a rate of 5% a month at 71 C. INCOMPATIBILITY: Negligible on brass, steel, aluminum. HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS: During a basic hydrolysis of VX up to 10% of the agent is converted to diisopropylaminoethyl methylphosphonothioic acid (EA2192). Based on the concentration of EA2192 expected to be formed during hydrolysis and its toxicity (1.4 mg/kg dermal in rabbit at 24 hours in a 10/90 wt.% ethanol/water solution), a Class B poison would result. The large scale decon procedure, which uses both HTH and NaOH, destroys VX by oxidation and hydrolysis. Typically the large scale product contains 0.2 - 0.4 wt.% EA2192 at 24 hours. At pH 12, the EA2192 in the large scale product has a half-life of about 14 days. Thus, the 90-day holding period at pH 12 results in about a 64-fold reduction of EA2192 (six half-lives). This holding period is sufficient to reduce the toxicity of the product below that of a Class B poison. Other less toxic products are ethyl methylphosphonic acid, methylphosphinic acid, diisopropyaminoethyl mercaptan, diethyl methylphosphonate, and ethanol. The small scale decontamination procedure uses sufficient HTH to oxidize all VX thus no EA2192 is formed. HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION: Does not occur. SECTION VII - SPILL, LEAK, AND DISPOSAL PROCEDURES STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN CASE MATERIAL IS RELEASED OR SPILLED: If leaks or spills occur, only personnel in full protective clothing (See Section VIII ) will remain in area. In case of personnel contamination see (Section V) for emergency and first aid instructions. RECOMMENDED FIELD PROCEDURES (For Quantities greater than 50 grams): (NOTE: These procedures can only be used with the approval of the Risk Manager or qualified safety personnel). Spills must be contained by covering with vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, clay or fine sand. An alcoholic HTH mixture is prepared by adding 100 milliliters of denatured ethanol to a 900-milliliter slurry of 10% HTH in water. This mixture should be made just before use since the HTH can react with the ethanol. Fourteen grams of alcoholic HTH solution are used for each gram of VX. Agitate the decontamination mixture as the VX is added. Continue the agitation for a minimum of one hour. This reaction is reasonablely exothermic and evolves substantial off gassing. The evolved reaction gases should be routed through a decontaminate filled scrubber before release through filtration systems. After completion of the one hour minimum agitation, 10% sodium hydroxide is added in a quantity equal to that necessary to assure that a pH of 12.5 is maintained for a period not less than 24 hours. Hold the material at a pH between 10 and 12 for a period not less than 90 days to ensure that a hazardous intermediate material is not formed (See Section VI). Scoop up all material and clothing and place in a DOT approved container. Cover the contents with decontaminating solution as above. After sealing, the exterior of the container will be decontaminated and labeled according to EPA and DOT regulations. All leaking containers will be over packed with vermiculite placed between the interior and exterior containers. Decontaminate and label according to EPA and DOT regulations. Dispose of the material according to waste disposal methods provided below. Dispose of decontaminate according to Federal, State, and local regulations. Conduct general area monitoring to confirm that the atmospheric concentrations do not exceed the airborne exposure limits (See Sections II and VIII). If the alcoholic HTH mixture is not available then the following decontaminants may be used instead and are listed in the order of preference: Decontaminating Agent D2 (DS2), Supertropical Bleach Slurry (STB), and Sodium Hypochlorite. RECOMMENDED LABORATORY PROCEDURES (For Quantities less than 50 grams): If the active chlorine of the Calcium Hypochlorite (HTH) is at least 55%, then 80 grams of a 10% slurry are required for each gram of VX. Proportionally more HTH is required if the chlorine activity of the HTH is lower than 55%. The mixture is agitated as the VX is added and the agitation is maintained for a minimum of one hour. If phasing of the VX/decon solution continues after 5 minutes, an amount of denatured ethanol equal to a 10 wt.% of the total agent/decon will be added to help miscibility. Scoop up all material and clothing and place in a DOT approved container. Cover the contents with decontaminating solution as above. After sealing, the exterior of the container will be decontaminated and labeled according to EPA and DOT regulations. All leaking containers will be over packed with vermiculite placed between the interior and exteriorcontainers. Decontaminate and label according to EPA and DOT regulations. Dispose of the material according to waste disposal methods provided below. Dispose of decontaminate according to Federal, State, and local regulations. Conduct general area monitoring to confirm that the atmospheric concentrations do not exceed the airborne exposure limits (See Sections II and VIII). NOTE: ETHANOL SHOULD BE REDUCED TO PREVENT THE FORMATION OF A HAZARDOUS WASTE. Upon completion of the one hour agitation the decon mixture will be adjusted to a pH between 10 and 11. Conduct general area monitoring to confirm that the atmospheric concentrations do not exceed the airborne exposure limits (See Sections II and VIII). WASTE DISPOSAL METHOD: Open pit burning or burying of VX or items containing or contaminated with VX in any quantity is prohibited. The detoxified VX (using procedures above) can be thermally destroyed by in a EPA approved incinerator in accordance with appropriate provisions of Federal, State and local Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations. NOTE: Some states define decontaminated surety material as a RCRA Hazardous Waste. SECTION VIII - SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: CONCENTRATIONRESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT< 0.00001 mg/m3A full face piece, chemical canister, air-purifying protective mask will be on hand for escape. (The M9-, M17-, or M40-series masks are acceptable for this purpose. Other masks certified as equivalent may be used).>0.00001 or = 0.02 mg/m3A NIOSH/MSHA approved pressure demand full face piece SCBA or supplied air respirators with escape air cylinder may be used. Alternatively, a full face piece, chemical canister air-purifying protective mask is acceptable for this purpose (See DA PAM 385-61for determination of appropriate level)>0.02 mg/m3 or unknownNIOSH/MSHA approved pressure demand full f ace piece SCBA suitable for use in high agent concentrations with protective ensemble (See DA PAM 385-61 for examples).VENTILATION: Local exhaust: Mandatory. Must be filtered or scrubbed to limit exit concentration to <0.00001 mg/m3. Air emissions will meet local, state and federal regulations. Special: Chemical laboratory hoods will have an average inward face velocity of 100 linear feet per minute (lfpm) +/- 10% with the velocity at any point not deviating from the average face velocity by more than 20%. Existing laboratory hoods will have an inward face velocity of 150 lfpm +/- 20%. Laboratory hoods will be located such that cross-drafts do not exceed 20% of the inward face velocity. A visual performance test using smoke-producing devices will be performed in assessing the ability of the hood to contain agent VX. Other: Recirculation or exhaust air from chemical areas is prohibited. No connection between chemical areas and other areas through ventilation system is permitted. Emergency backup power is necessary. Hoods should be tested at least semiannually or after modification or maintenance operations. Operations should be performed 20 centimeters inside hood face. PROTECTIVE GLOVES: Butyl Rubber Glove M3 and M4 Norton, Chemical Protective Glove Set EYE PROTECTION: At a minimum chemical goggles will be worn. For splash hazards use goggles and face shield. OTHER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: For laboratory operations, wear lab coats, gloves and have mask readily accessible. In addition, daily clean smocks, foot covers, and head covers will be required when handling contaminated lab animals. MONITORING: Available monitoring equipment for agent VX is the M8/M9 detector paper, detector ticket, M256/M256A1 kits, bubbler, Depot Area Air Monitoring System (DAMMS), Automated Continuous Air Monitoring System (ACAMS), Real-Time Monitor (RTM), Demilitarization Chemical Agent Concentrator (DCAC), M8/M43, M8A1/M43A1, CAM-M1, Hydrogen Flame Photometric Emission Detector (HYFED), the Miniature Chemical Agent Monitor (MINICAM), and the Real Time Analytical Platform (RTAP). Real-time, low-level monitors (with alarm) are required for VX operations. In their absence, an Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) atmosphere must be presumed. Laboratory operations conducted in appropriately maintained and alarmed engineering controls require only periodic low-level monitoring. SECTION IX - SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN HANDLING AND STORING: When handling agents the buddy system will be incorporated. No smoking, eating, and drinking in areas containing chemicals is permitted. Containers should be periodically inspected for leaks (either visually or by a detector kit). Stringent control over all personnel practices must be exercised. Decontamination equipment will be conveniently located. Exits must be designed to permit rapid evacuation.Chemical showers, eyewash stations and personal cleanliness facilities must be provided. Wash hands before meals, each worker will shower thoroughly with special attention given to hair, face, neck, and hands, using plenty of soap and water before leaving at the end of the workday. OTHER PRECAUTIONS: VX must be double contained in liquid and vapor tight containers when in storage or outside a ventilation hood. For additional information see "AR 385-61, The Army Toxic Chemical Agent Safety Program," "DA PAM 385-61, Toxic Chemical Agent Safety Standards," and "AR 40-8, Occupational Health Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Occupational Exposure to Nerve Agents GA, GB, GD, and VX." SECTION X - TRANSPORTATION DATA PROPER SHIPPING NAME: Poisonous liquids, n.o.s. DOT HAZARD CLASS: 6.1 Packing Group I, Zone A DOT LABEL: Poison DOT MARKING: Poisonous liquids, n.o.s. (O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl)methyl phosphonothiolate) UN 2810, Inhalation Hazard DOT PLACARD: Poison EMERGENCY ACCIDENT PRECAUTIONS AND PROCEDURES: See Sections IV, VII and VIII. PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN TRANSPORTATION: Motor vehicles will be placarded, regardless of quantity. Drivers will be given full information regarding shipment and conditions in case of an emergency. AR 50-6 deals specifically with the shipment of chemical agents. Shipments of agent will be escorted in accordance with AR 740-32.
I was not aware that you had access to the US government's vast evidence on Iraqi/Libyan/Iranian terrorist links. I honestly can't see where Iraq is involved. Links to al-Qaida? Probably, but not in a financial, planning or operational capacity. Bin Laden is no friend of Hussein's. There has been extensive US investigation of the 1993 WTC attack, al-Khobar 1998 bomb and the embassy bombings in Africa (1998). In the various trials conducted in the US Iraq's name did appear once in relation to WTC, but there was no evidence to support this, and Iraq's name did not appear at all in the embassy bomb trials. Not because the US didn't look, or was trying to protect Iraq - but because Iraq has little or no involvement with al-Qaida operations. Iraq's regime is a lot of things - brutal, violent, pragmatic and with little concern for human life. But I've yet to find links between terrorist attacks and Iraq. You have some proof - fill us all in so we can launch the attack! Iraq - funding for Palestinain groups? Maybe, but nothing like Iran, and Syria. But then those aren't such easy targets. Weapons of mass destruction? Quite possibly despite the UN programme, but then so do Israel, India, Pakistan, China.... What's the criteria for hitting Iraq? If you were making a list of who to hit, how high up would Iraq be on the criteria laid down by the US if not for the history of animosity? Genuinely. There are many others out there with much stronger connections. A US strike on Iraq would truly show the US is unconcernmed with its war on terrorism and is simply looking to justify retribution.
If the Israeli situation goes out of hand, as it is about to in the Palestinan territories, would the more radical arab countries start a fifth war against Israel? How likely is this to happen, and what would be the response(s)? I'm afraid that this could backfire, turning this into a WWIII situation in which the US, and at least Israel are fighting the middle east. If that happened all hell would break loose.
I am afraid I have to agree. The thought had been there but Israeli actions and Americas open discrimination has made it all to realistic a scenario. Then we should have been there all the time. Going to war under the guise of terrorism when it is not is not going to help anything. Hell, war is not going to help anything. Iraq is not a viable target. I hope the nuke is an exaggeration Another problem. What is all this evidence in the first place and why is it hidden from the public. There is no harm in showing this 'sufficient evidence' if it is truly sufficient. Americans are taking whatever target the government feeds them.
Curly: I happen to think still unlikely, but of course the potential for escalation mounts. Despite the luster and rhetoric, most Arab governments are pretty concerned about their own skins - a lot of the rehtoric about Palestinians is simply an effort generate popular support. Look there, not here. They know that a military defeat would be a serious challenge to the leadership - and Israel is one of the toughest nuts to crack. Arab fraternity? Died, in truth, in the 1970s along with Nasser. Syria, Saudi, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan teaming up? I can't see it, even against Israel. What I do find troubling is the potential for more hatred, more terror, more injustice. That the Palestinians are pawns in a Middle Eastern real-politik does not change the legitimacy of their cause. It's hard to past it sometimes though when your firends are called Saddam, Bashar and Hosni. And they are only using you for domestic politics. It's a shame because of the issue could be settled, these regimes would need to make some serious changes. The US could start backing reform and playing an even role and the region is on the way back to its position as an important cultural area. The US can throw its lot in with Israel and pick off Arab states one at a time, but doing so will lead to more violence and hatred. How do you defeat Saddam and his ilk? Lift sanctions and be even-handed in Israel. Deny him his role as victim.
Well I pretty much agree with you Capt. Canada, except on how to fix the Iraqi situation. For starters we need to get weapons inspectors back in the country, if Saddam would allow that and be much better to the world and his own people I'm sure we could easy or completely life sanctions against him. Are they hurting the Iraqi people, yes, but indirectly, the true problem is Saddam himself. If he is indeed linked to terrorism of any sort, al-Qaeda, or any other group tagged for destruction, then he should be given an ultimatum: Allow unrestricted UN weapons inspectors inside Iraq to investigate WMDs and production. The complete abolishment of weapons of mass destruction and any related items to them. Get rid of all support of terrorism. If he doesn't apply by a similar ultimatium, then we take him out. Wage a war of political annihilation, getting rid of him and his croonies, rebuild the country with a democratic government.
