Hey y’all! As my first blog post for Indivisible Austin I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Billie Green, I’m a UT Alumni, and I really don’t want Trump to start a nuclear war.
I’ve been working directly with Global Zero and William Perry on current nuclear weapons issues. Our primary concern is Trump’s ability to order a unilateral launch against any country at any time, and how his dangerous rhetoric with North Korea is inching us closer to a military confrontation. This incredible piece by nuclear weapons historian Alex Wellerstein dives into the question: “Can the President use nuclear weapons when he wants, and can anyone stop him?” The short answer is No. No one can stop Trump once the order is given. Generals Mattis or Kelly will do all they can to discourage him, but if Trump validates the decision, chain of command will be initiated.
It is incredibly important for us to be vocal about this issue. If we can manage to take Trump’s finger off the literal “Apocalypse” button, then maybe we won’t feel like every ridiculous decision his administration makes is the end of the world. We have to get our representatives on board saying they will only support diplomacy, deterrence, and no preventative (nuclear 1st strike) military options. There’s already been indication that the GOP is sincerely concerned about Trump’s instability (e.g. Corker saying Trump could start World War III) but we need them to take tangible action. This is where we, the masses, step in.
I’ve recently created Global Zero – Austin TX. The focus of this group will be to educate the public about the relevant dangers of nuclear weapons and what we can do to stop/limit said dangers. Currently, Global Zero has planned a Week of Action for the first week of November, but has encouraged their remote activists across the nation to reach out to their communities and start recruiting members for local chapters. As an immediate action, we can call on Cruz and Cornyn to support legislation introduced by Ted Lieu and Ed Markey, that would constrain Trump’s authority to use nuclear weapons.
I know we live in Texas. I’m aware that Cruz and Cornyn are hardliners. But this issue should be bipartisan. Here are two scripts from the Indivisible Project to use when you call:
- Donald Trump has frighteningly few checks on his authority to launch a nuclear weapon. That’s why Senator Markey and Congressman Lieu have introduced bipartisan legislation that would make explicit that the President cannot launch a nuclear first strike without a declaration of war by Congress. Will you help constrain Trump’s authority to use nuclear weapons by co-sponsoring the bipartisan “Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act”? (H.R. 669 in the House and S. 200 in the Senate)
- Trump’s dangerous rhetoric is fanning the flames with North Korea. His words could provoke the unstable Kim Jong Un and further escalate tensions when our top priority should be de-escalation and diplomacy. Will you denounce Trump’s dangerous rhetoric that puts our national security at risk? Will you demand he come to Congress first before engaging in any sort of military operation against North Korea?
And remember to sign up for the new Global Zero – Austin, TX Facebook Group.