Does the prospect of nuclear disaster still frighten anyone these days?

[abaris]

It is hard to judge the minds of the decision makers of 60 years ago. We cannot un-learn what is now common wisdom regarding nuclear winter and the long term effects of widespread high level fallout. The 1950s was a time when above ground testing was considered reasonable, high level nuclear waste disposal was a problem we would solve when necessary.

Oh, they knew enough to willingly expose their own soldiers to the nuclear fallout. To test what it did to their organisms. Both super powers did that in the 50ies.

And then there were turds like Edward Teller, who never grew tired of demanding a first strike against the Russians, even if it meant widespread destruction.