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terryclothSlate had an article about the UK's supposed letter of last resort, ordering submarine commanders to fire their missiles, or not, in the case where the UK has been vaporized. They seemed to think that it was a really stupid idea, because:
(a) the commander could do whatever they wanted and burn the letter
(b) the chance that the letter would say 'no, don't' would embolden terrorists
(c) the correct thing to do after your country is annihilated is surrender
It seems obvious to me that it's a legal and moral fiction -- the sub commander gets his orders, and therefore has proof that he wasn't a loose cannon killing everyone for his own amusement. Of *course* the letter says 'blow up everything'.
Not that 'I was following orders' is much defense in international court, I guess. But it'd probably help the sub captains actually follow through on the retaliation.
So it doesn't matter that they could forge the letter -- it's for their benefit anyway.
...
The correct thing to do after your country is annihilated *is* surrender, though. Not that I would, if there was any chance I could win. This is why the world is such a fucked up place.
(a) the commander could do whatever they wanted and burn the letter
(b) the chance that the letter would say 'no, don't' would embolden terrorists
(c) the correct thing to do after your country is annihilated is surrender
It seems obvious to me that it's a legal and moral fiction -- the sub commander gets his orders, and therefore has proof that he wasn't a loose cannon killing everyone for his own amusement. Of *course* the letter says 'blow up everything'.
Not that 'I was following orders' is much defense in international court, I guess. But it'd probably help the sub captains actually follow through on the retaliation.
So it doesn't matter that they could forge the letter -- it's for their benefit anyway.
...
The correct thing to do after your country is annihilated *is* surrender, though. Not that I would, if there was any chance I could win. This is why the world is such a fucked up place.
