Looks like bush is pushing for more secrecy and less

[alfredo]

oversight. He did say he wanted to be the dictator.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1009497,00.html


According to the leaked agenda for the Omaha meeting in early August, Pentagon and energy department officials will discuss how to test small numbers of these new weapons, and whether this will require a break from the moratorium on nuclear tests.

Critics argue that the new weapons will blur the distinction between conventional and nuclear arms, and trigger a new arms race.

"The Bush administration is considering policy changes that will alter the role of nuclear weapons in national defence," Mr Markey said. "Given the importance and sheer complexity of the issues raised ... why was the only independent contemplative body studying nuclear weapons disbanded - and disbanded in such a surreptitious fashion?"

[berry]

1. One supposes that Markey (bless him) gave a press conference

and only the Guardian showed up? I'm going off now to check the US press. HOW could this not be considered important enough to report??! Sure, there have been mentions of the tactical nukes and bunker busters in the last year or so, but no follow-up. The problem here is not our dilatory press (bad as it is), but the clear message that even devoted policy-wonks won't be able to find out what's going on. Our military planners seem capable of unbelievable folly--witness the PAM plans at DARPA, and yet they get a pass on something this important? We KNOW they can't be trusted, yet their secrecy goes unchallenged (except by Markey)? GRRRRR

Thanks for posting this, Alfredo!