Unfortunately, this appears to be more of a "when" rather than a "what if" Q. Say terrorists smuggle a nuclear device in a cargo container into NY harbor and destory the city - what would the US's response be?

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"I die for my fatherland. I have a clear conscience." - Admiral Wilhelm Canaris

More rhetoric and bombing, I'd expect.

It is more likely that such a device would have to be brought in by some much more "low key" method than that suggested. The US currently is monitering such obvious routes as above.
As to a response: I personally think Bush missed an opportunity in the original 911 attack. He should have mobilized the entire US military for 90 days as a start. This would have sent an unequivocal message that the US was taking this attack seriously and would stop at nothing to strike back and eliminate the enemies that carried it out.
Against the back drop of a nuclear strike I would think anything less than that would be akin to capitulation / resignation that terrorism is something we must just live with and cannot eliminate from the world.

Seems like there are already easier ways to make a point than using nukes. The anthrax threat was working just as good at the time as the airliners crashing into buildings. A barge loaded with propane or chlorine opened in a river city such as Cincinnati or St Louis would work as well too.
I would like to see the CIA do more to prevent or pre-empt terrorism to begin with. They should know with all their resourses where terrorists train and get funding. That would be a good point to start in preventing something from happening to start with. Also the FBI, CIA, and other agencies need to work with each other rather than compete with each other.

I was thinking a good "politicly correct" response to such an event would be to perfect weather modification. I have read that the CIA did research into this but I don't know the results.
Being able to bring drought or floods to an area on the planet of your choosing would be a devesting weapon. You could even make it look like you are the good guy and send token relief supplies to the area.

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Work Harder ! Millions on welfare are depending on you.

Only this news is very disconcerting .... Plutonium Sting

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"I die for my fatherland. I have a clear conscience." - Admiral Wilhelm Canaris

I don't see how and don't see it happening either,of checking each and every container that comes in this country.While maybe not easy to do,knock the electricity/water out and this country will be crippled.Everything including gasoline is on computers.

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Now that's a good point FramerT !! Computers and electricity would be a perfect target. A few years ago there was a power failure in the northeast area that shut everything down. I don't think they even know now why it happened.

Also about 10 years ago I was at Wal Mart and their computer had problems and no one could buy anything at the store.

Electricity runs the pumps for water service too.

Very good thinking FramerT ! The Feds need to give you a job.

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Work Harder ! Millions on welfare are depending on you.

Just remembered on possible ways to get a nuclear device close to a big city: did the Russians ever really plant any nuclear mines in the city harbours anywhere or was this just movie world stories. Or do we not know for sure?

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Sure - crippling the grid would be great (but we don't need terrorist's help for that!) but I think you'll have to agree that one of terrorits' main objectives is to kill as many Americans as possible - not to just cause financial or infrastructure damage.

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"I die for my fatherland. I have a clear conscience." - Admiral Wilhelm Canaris

Has everyone forgotten how the economy almost went down the toilet by just 4 airliners on 9/11? Everything from Wallstreet to Detroit was shutdown.Yes, the US has an 'emergency stockpile'of gas but that would be for military use only.Anyone who's been through a power outage for a few days will know what I mean.Your food goes bad in the fridge,no stores open.No heat unless you've got wood.No gas to go to work if you can work etc etc. They could do plenty damage with-out killing anyone. I could'nt work for the Feds TA, my mugshot is in all the gov't post offices. [img]graemlins/no.gif[/img]

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