[redsniper]

Besides, Texans are all fat, useless walrus-things. Like my brother.

no

[Snail]

Besides, Texans are all fat, useless walrus-things. Like my brother.

no

Most people would expand that to most Americans.

[karajorma]

It is possible - depending on the amount of warning given - that Texan forces would be able to get their hands on chemical and nuclear munitions. The chemical ones would be the biggest potential threat initially, as the nuke warheads would probably be harder to set off.

Given that the launch codes would still be in the presidents hands they might be impossible to set off. Exactly how secure is a nuke without the codes?

[Nuclear1]

AFAIK Texas doesn't have any nuclear weapons on its soil.  It certainly has nuclear power plants, but no weapons itself.  It is, however, a short distance away from the headquarters of the USAF's Global Strike Command at Barksdale AFB, which has authority over all of the USAF's nuclear weapons.  I don't know if Barksdale has nukes itself though.  Most of the US's nuclear armament is in the Dakotas (Minot AFB), Wyoming (FE Warren AFB) and Montana. All well out of Texas's reach.
Canada has a better chance of getting a hold of our nukes than Texas

[NGTM-1R]

Given that the launch codes would still be in the presidents hands they might be impossible to set off. Exactly how secure is a nuke without the codes?

Not very, to be honest. The strength of the system lies in the two-man rule and similar conventions. It's designed to prevent any single person from being able to order or intitate a strike to protect against the rogue looney. An organized rebellion could probably find a way.

[General Battuta]

'Ware the Neo-Texan Front!

[Uchuujinsan]

Given that the launch codes would still be in the presidents hands they might be impossible to set off. Exactly how secure is a nuke without the codes?

Not very, to be honest. The strength of the system lies in the two-man rule and similar conventions. It's designed to prevent any single person from being able to order or intitate a strike to protect against the rogue looney. An organized rebellion could probably find a way.

I thought the exact timed sequence for the explosives that will detonate the nuke are encoded in the launch codes, and any attempt to launch it without the codes will result in just a dirty bomb? (given that you bypass any electronic security first)
It's apparently possible, so I would be surprised if they don't do it that way..

[NGTM-1R]

The possiblity had to be allowed for that a second strike would be necessary with the SSBNs. (Second strike capablity is something land based installations simply don't do; they're all already dead.) In such a situation the world's communication apparatus is shot, there is no way to communicate the launch codes, only a go order; maybe not even that, just the knowledge that the exchange is underway or has happened. The sea-based systems at least depend solely on the fact it requires more than one man to initate or order a launch.

[Kosh]

AFAIK Texas doesn't have any nuclear weapons on its soil.  It certainly has nuclear power plants, but no weapons itself.  It is, however, a short distance away from the headquarters of the USAF's Global Strike Command at Barksdale AFB, which has authority over all of the USAF's nuclear weapons.  I don't know if Barksdale has nukes itself though.  Most of the US's nuclear armament is in the Dakotas (Minot AFB), Wyoming (FE Warren AFB) and Montana. All well out of Texas's reach.
Canada has a better chance of getting a hold of our nukes than Texas

No but better yet we can take those nukes and turn them around to smack Texas......and we might as well nuke Detroit while we're at it.

[Blue Lion]

Why? There is nothing in Detroit. I've been there. You'd be wasting a good weapon.

[karajorma]

.and we might as well nuke Detroit while we're at it.

Some would argue that's already happened.

[iamzack]

Sorry this is late, but I only just found it:

[karajorma]

that's pretty good actually.

[uk_john]

I am from London and am in London at the moment,but from 1991 to 1997 I lived and worked in Houston, Texas, as it was, I was running a games company!

Anyway, I found the Texan people to be extremely friendly and generous of nature. More so than other States I had lived in from Indiana, Minnesota to NY State. I have no doubt in a referendum 80% would vote to stay in the union.

Of course the reason for this is the fact that in the next 20 years Hispanic Americans will constitute the majority of voters in Texas! They will also represent around 30% of voters in the whole country!

Within that same 20 years is it likely the USA will be bilingual, with English/Spanish road signs,etc. Like they do, but in French, in Canada and in Welsh in Wales, etc.

[iamzack]

Of course the reason for this is the fact that in the next 20 years Hispanic Americans will constitute the majority of voters in Texas! They will also represent around 30% of voters in the whole country!

I doubt it:



Hispanics aren't that crazy.

[McCall]

Given that the launch codes would still be in the presidents hands they might be impossible to set off. Exactly how secure is a nuke without the codes?

Not very, to be honest. The strength of the system lies in the two-man rule and similar conventions. It's designed to prevent any single person from being able to order or intitate a strike to protect against the rogue looney. An organized rebellion could probably find a way.

I thought the exact timed sequence for the explosives that will detonate the nuke are encoded in the launch codes, and any attempt to launch it without the codes will result in just a dirty bomb? (given that you bypass any electronic security first)
It's apparently possible, so I would be surprised if they don't do it that way..

This is why I figured the nerve gas would be easier to make use of. That said, if someone - anyone - got their hands on a 1980s-era bomb, would you want to take a chance on them not working out how to use it?

Nice of UK_John to drop in and defend our Texan friends. You US guys give 'em a ribbing worse than we take the piss out of scousers.

They did give us the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, don't forget.

[StarSlayer]

If its anything like the silos in Europe, domestic silos will have air support on hand ramping up steadily from helicopter gunships to having fighter bombers bomb the **** out of the entire facility if it becomes apparent its going to be breached.

[Mongoose]

They did give us the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, don't forget.

Yes, but they also gave us the Dallas Cowboys.

But seriously, from what I've heard, most areas of Texas are generally very nice places to visit, probably more than the average in this country.  I wouldn't take the words of a whackjob governor probably pandering for some fringe votes to heart too seriously.

[redsniper]

Admittedly, it's too fraking hot here.

[iamzack]

Texas is a southern state. As long as you are a straight-looking white guy, people will be respectful and nice to you. But, the more rural the town, the less different-ness is tolerated.