"The Deafening Silence of Benign Neglect"

Benign neglect is commonly considered an “attitude or policy of ignoring an often delicate or undesirable situation that one is held to be responsible for dealing with.”

We would have zero tolerance for any predictable natural disaster—threatening untold thousands (possibly millions) of us—being treated with the “deafening silence of benign neglect.” Yet, regarding nuclear threats posed by the radical U.S.-hating regimes of Iran and North Korea, we bury our heads in ignorance, complacency, and apathy. Seeking refuge in a suicidal fantasy land of denial, enabled in large measure by irresponsible news/social media, politicians, and others, absorbed in the relatively petty whims of those hell-bent to be “offended” about something. Nevertheless, and at risk of interfering with the “gone viral” of the moment, the following is a much past-due historical reality-check worth pondering.

In August 1945 (during final stages of World War II), the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The (so far) first and only use of nuclear weapons in wartime. Together these two bombings killed an estimated 150,000 to 250,000 people, mostly civilians. About half the deaths occurred the day of bombing. The other half, some 75,000 to 125,000, over the following months, as a result of burns, radiation sickness, and related injuries and illness. About 132 pounds of highly-enriched uranium was used in the bomb released over Hiroshima, Japan’s seventh largest city at that time. It destroyed about 90 percent of the city. About 17 pounds of plutonium-239 was used in the explosive charge of the bomb dropped 3 days later on Nagasaki. Within about 6 years after these horrific bombings, atomic weapon devices were being tested which had explosive forces about a thousand times greater.

On January 30, 2018, U.S. CIA Director, Mike Pompeo, warned that North Korea could have a nuclear weapon capable of striking the United States within “a handful of months.” A reality that all our “sanctuary cities/states,” and “safe spaces/pet-puppies/anxiety counselors” in our colleges and universities, etc., will not make go away. A reality we had better soon, seriously, and rationally start having very public national discussion about. For, in the final analysis, the responsibility for our national security rests with “we the people.” And, it is our inescapable duty to make clear to all concerned that we will not—under any circumstances—tolerate those chanting “death to America” to have at their disposal, the means to reap indescribable death and destruction upon us. There is no longer a road to kick the can down. Within “a handful of months” North Korea must self-eliminate its nuclear arsenal. Or, “we the people”—through our elected government representatives and military—must take whatever action necessary to eliminate such threat.

And, should courage to deal with this inescapable challenge be in need of a booster shot—a source for such may likely be found in the trusting eyes of our nation’s young children and grandchildren.

                                                —William James Moore