Shelves of Del Monte canned peas, fruit cocktail, and Chef Boyardee Spaghetti O’s hung on a basement wall in our home in Cleveland — sustenance for a disaster.
I grew up during the Cold War. The television images of Russia’s then-premier Nikita Khrushchev proclaiming to the U.S. that “We will bury you,” triggered fears of nuclear war that sent consumers rushing out to buy bomb-shelter kits. School sirens announced duck-and-cover air raid drills. All the while my mother assured us that we could safely survive the war in our food-stocked basement.
The Cold War ended in 1991, but the threat of nuclear war looms large. I recently attended a local conference, where anti-nuclear war activist Dr. Ira Helfand gave a presentation on the after-effects of a nuclear war.
Dr. Helfand made it clear that there are no winners in a nuclear war. Even a smaller-scale attack would kill millions, and the resulting soot clogging the atmosphere and blocking the sun would dramatically decrease temperatures, shortening global growing seasons and leading to massive food shortages and worldwide famine. A larger-scale nuclear conflict would send the world into an ice age, where human survival would not be possible.
I wanted to run from the room and block my ears, anything to make his frightening words go away. My husband and I left the conference to head to Hartford, Connecticut, to see Jackson Browne and Steve Winwood perform. I could not enjoy the music. Instead, I wanted to rush the stage and shout, “Why are you all so happy? Don’t you know we’re on the verge of nuclear war?” I left the concert early, still wondering why the rest of the world wasn’t sharing my panic.
According to the Ploughshares Fund, the U.S. and Russia possess 93 percent of the nuclear arsenal of 15,000 weapons, with each country having 2,000 weapons ready for immediate launch. Seven other countries: China, India, Israel, France, North Korea, Pakistan, and the U.K. possess nuclear weapons.
Add to this the threat of terrorists developing home-grown nuclear bombs, and there is an increasing chance of an accidental nuclear war. We have grown the world’s stockpile of weapons, under the assumption that the fear of using such weapons acts as a deterrent. This game of Russian roulette makes about as much sense as believing that my mother’s stash of canned food would enable us to ride out a nuclear war in my family’s basement.
Trump’s threats to respond to North Korea with “fire and fury” and to “totally destroy” its leader, “Rocket Man,” and his nation have been met by Kim Jong Un’s description of his adversary as a “mentally deranged U.S. dotard.” The reality that the future of the planet could be dependent on the dares and double-dares of these so-called leaders is almost beyond comprehension.
We are living with the greatest threat of nuclear war since the Cuban missile crisis, but this time, we are relying on the impaired judgment of an impulsive bully, not John F. Kennedy. Strangely, however, while we rally around protecting immigrants, saving health care, and stopping white supremacists, most of us (myself included) have not rallied to prevent a nuclear holocaust.
In the days since I heard Dr. Helfand speak, I have not stopped talking about the potential for a nuclear catastrophe. My monologues are responded to with head nods and obvious discomfort. I get it. Educating others about the effects of nuclear war without giving people a strategy to prevent one is disempowering.
Learning that we and our loved one are likely to be vaporized, radiated or starved to death is more than the average psyche can handle. Fear can be paralyzing, but the consequences of denial can be disastrous.
Ultimately, we must disarm the world of its nuclear arsenal, but today our efforts should focus on removing Trump’s authority to launch a nuclear weapon. His vengefulness and volatility pose a great danger to every single person on the planet. A logical president would understand that nobody is likely to survive the aftermath of a large-scale nuclear war. Unfortunately, Trump does not listen to reason, particularly if it’s backed by scientific evidence.
The Restricting the First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act, introduced in January by U.S. Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Rep. Ted Lieu of California, would require Congress to declare war before Trump could launch a first strike with a nuclear weapon, unless the U.S. were attacked first.
The bill was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on Jan. 24, where it still sits. The American people must organize a massive nationwide campaign to prevent Trump from making a first strike against North Korea. Please call your legislators and tell them to do everything in their power to prevent nuclear war, including getting this bill passed.
The imminent threat of nuclear war with North Korea looms large. This is an issue we can no longer afford to ignore. Push through your fears and take action now. Spread the word.
Sara Weinberger, of Easthampton, is a professor emerita of social work and writes a monthly column. She can be reached at opinion@gazettenet.com.