Dirty Bomb

A dirty bomb is an explosive designed to spread dangerous radioactive material over a wide area. When people hear "bomb" and "radioactive" in the ­same sentence, their minds jump to nuclear war pretty quickly. But it turns out that a dirty bomb's primary destructive power would probably be panic, not radiation damage.

A dirty bomb is much closer in power to an ordinary explosive than it is to the widespread destructive force of a nuclear bomb. But the fear of contamination could be debilitating, in the same way that 2001's anthrax scare in the United States terrorized much of the American populace, even though only a few people were infected.

How would a 'Dirty Bomb' work? Where could terrorists obtain the material to make a 'D.B.?' What is the destructive power of a 'D.B.' compared to a conventional 'A-bomb?' How can we protect against this threat?

Are terrorists the only ones to have utilized this type of weapon? The answer may surprise you.

Can you diffuse the threat before its too late?! Take the 'Dirty Bomb' Quiz!

Nuclear Summit

Play Secretary of State Clinton's Speech.

There are three main elements of our strategy to safeguard our country and allies against nuclear attack. First, we begin with our support for the basic framework of the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. The global nuclear nonproliferation regime is based on a three-sided bargain: countries without nuclear weapons agree not to acquire them; countries with nuclear weapons work toward disarmament; and every nation is afforded the right to access peaceful nuclear energy under appropriate safeguards.

Do you agree or disagree with this strategy? What should the United States be doing to stop Nuclear Proliferation?

The Prisoners Dilemma

The prisoner's dilemma is the story of two criminals who have been arrested for a heinous crime and are being interrogated separately. Each knows that if neither of them talks, the case against them is weak and they will be convicted and punished for lesser charges. If this happens, each will get only 5 years in prison. If both 'rat' on the other person, its a slam dunk case for the prosecution and they face life sentences. If only one person 'rats' and testifies against the other, the one who did not cooperate will get the death sentence while the other will get parole and go free.

What would you do? Why?

What does this have to do with Nuclear Deterrence policy?

How is this famous variation different from our class example? What was the surprising outcome?

Nuclear Proliferation

With Iran refusing to budge from its production of 20% enriched uranium, which it insists is solely to generate civilian nuclear power, efforts have been building within Washington to devise a road-map for action – including military options – should Iran get closer to nuclear capability.

At a Senate hearing last week, Pentagon officials said Iran could have sufficient bomb-grade fuel – normally about 90% enriched uranium – for one nuclear weapon within a year, although it might take up to five years actually to create a bomb.

Iran has also stepped up the rhetoric. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today boasted about the country's army. "Today, our armed forces have so much power that no enemy will harbor evil thoughts about laying its hands on Iranian territory," he said at an annual army parade.

What are the dangers of Iran becoming a nuclear power and what options does the United States have to prevent it?

PDA

The issue of Public Displays of Affection in the THS hallways has students and staff talking. Our Student Handbook defines 'kissing' and 'body contact' as 'inappropriate.' But does that include holding hands? Fist bumps? Or how about hugs?

Schools are not the only ones to define 'decent' public behavior. In Dubai (home of the world's tallest building) public kissing can land you in jail. Take for example this recent case in which British tourists face up to a month in jail for smooching in a Public restaurant.

Compare the laws of Dubai to our own school rules? Are they too harsh or not harsh enough? How would you re-write the PDA rule if you were the Principal?