I have noticed many newer threads regarding the threat of Nuclear War on American shores. I have also seen the panic that the topic generates. Many people respond predictably spouting the many myths and fallacies that permeate American awareness of the issue.
Russia is the only country (other that the US) with the nuclear ability to inflict mass destruction on a country as large as America. However, the most probable plan of attack in an atomic foray would be to paralise the effectiveness of a retaliation. The probable first attack targets would be such facilities as missle silos, military bases, airports and the primary infrastructure (ie: power generating stations, governmental facilities, and the like) The civilian population, whilst not totally immune to a first volley, will have sufficient time to react and find a place of relative safety in case of further forays.
Nuclear weapons aren't as powerful as most Americans (or Europeans) are led to believe by TPTB. The Krakatoa (sp?) volcano unleashed a destructive power more than five times the compiled stockpiles of Nuclear weapons around the globe. Even Mount St. Helens exploded with the fury equal to many megatons of nuclear force.
I have found an excellent site on the web with a manual posted for free useage regarding Nuclear survival. This book contains everything needed to have at least a good chance of surviving a Nuclear first strike. It includes everything from distances of radiated blasts per kiloton (or megaton) for ground and air bursts. Radiated ditances of possible nuclear fallout and much more. Here is the link. Read it and have a little more peace of mind on one subject at least.
Nuclear War Survival, Skills
I hope this helps.

-- Wild Celt (celtictgr@yahoo.com), November 19, 1999

Answers

Okay, boys and girl, lets duck-and-cover.

Bang-glop-screeeeeem!

There that is better.

It's dark, but we won't need lights anymore -- we glow!

-- One scared Gringo (noway@jose.net), November 19, 1999.

It's not nukes I'd spend much time worrying about. They are perhaps less likely to be used for serious terrorism than biological weapons. 10 kilos of ground and powdered weaponized smallpox virus released during a drive down the Santa Monica Freeway in L.A. would probably be more devestating than a suitcase nuke could ever be. Not overly concerned about nukes here....though we should have some concern about them (the feds certainly are).

(Living 60-70 miles north of S.F. way out in the boonies, direct blast effects aren't a concern....unless one of the MIRV'ed warheads goes a little off course)

-- Don Kulha (dkulha@vom.com), November 19, 1999.