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American military Quote by Captain Hank Bracker, "Seawater One

“Nuclear weapons have only been used twice, both times in the war against Japan. In each case it was used by the United States during World War II. The first was used on August 6, 1945, over the Japanese city of Hiroshima and the second was dropped three days later over the Japanese city of…” quote by Captain Hank Bracker, "Seawater One
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““Nuclear weapons have only been used twice, both times in the war against Japan. In each case it was used by the United States during World War II. The first was used on August 6, 1945, over the Japanese city of Hiroshima and the second was dropped three days later over the Japanese city of Nagasaki. The two bombs resulted in the deaths of nearly a quarter million people! Recently I have heard it said that since we have the second largest arsenal of nuclear bombs, we should use them to teach North Korea a lesson and reduce tensions. Perhaps we are the ones that need to learn a lesson, so let me start by saying that since these first two bombs that have been used in anger, over two thousand tests have been conducted and that it was Russia that tested the largest bomb ever detonated. On 30 October 1961, Russia which was then the Soviet Union, detonated what was called the Tsar Bomb, a hydrogen bomb with a yield of 50 megatons which is more than 3,000 times as powerful as the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Are we and our leaders insane? It is only the “Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons” of which we are a member that can reduce the spread and possible the use of nuclear weapons. Now with North Korea being a player, its effectiveness has been questioned and we are on the brink of engaging in a contest that threatens to kill 2,000,000 people in the first day. Many of these people are American military personnel and their families stationed in in Seoul, South Korea. Following any initiative on our part, including the taunts we are making, all bets will be off and there is the possibility that other countries will see the United States as the enemy that has to be stopped!””

Captain Hank Bracker, "Seawater One

About This Quote

Source Speech: Public commentary by Captain Hank Bracker, Seawater One, 2023

The quote warns that nuclear escalation is irrational and highlights the catastrophic humanitarian cost of nuclear war, urging reliance on treaties to prevent disaster.

In simple terms: Nuclear war is catastrophic; treaties help prevent it.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize diplomacy over threats.

Themes

peace nuclear weapons humanitarian risk international relations deterrence

Mood

anxious urgent reflective

Type

political ethical

When to use this quote

  • policy debates
  • military planning
  • public advocacy
  • educational outreach

Key Concepts

non‑proliferation mutually assured destruction strategic stability

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can societies balance security with the risk of nuclear war?
  • What role should public opinion play in nuclear policy?
A Different Perspective

Escalation may be driven by political pressures and misperceptions of security.

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