Reply #180: That mistaken belief is predicated on

[Mike K]

your own comparatively rational (non-suicidal) orientation. Which is to say that prior to the 9/11 attack, which dramatically familiarized the complacent Western world with the fact that the most dangerous enemy is the one who is ready to sacrifice his own life to strike at you, most Americans would have agreed with you. But we know better now.

So if you think that self preservation will inhibit a fanatical Islamic power from attacking us with a nuclear weapon I respectfully suggest that you research the more profound implications of the jihadist mentality. These fanatics will happily earn a trip to heaven by making the sacrifice needed to send us to hell -- and they don't care who among the non-believers in their own population they take with them.