Why the world still needs nuclear weapons

[KingFate]

SamuelRSmith said:

KingFate said:

SamuelRSmith said:
Well, I don't know about a nuclear-free world, but I certainly don't think the UK needs them. They're exceptionally expensive during a time where the Government needs to cut spending, and, let's face it, they're never going to be used.

The only way you ensure they aren't used is keeping many of them. The only thing that will stop people from attacking you is fear. In times of peace prepare for war.

Spare me your clichés.

I think the thing that's keeping the UK safe is that we're not in strikable distance of anybody who would be willing to use a nuclear warhead against us. Hell, thanks to the EU, we're pretty much a million miles away from anybody who would want to attack us in any sorts of means (outside of terrorism, etc. but possessing nuclear weapons hardly stopped the IRA, or any of the modern terrorist groups from attacking us).

Plus, a nuclear-free UK would still have support from a nuclear-possessing USA and/or France. Would it be wrong for the UK to free-load off of nuclear allies? Probably. But, frankly, I don't give a shit. The USA have unwittingly taken on the burden of being the protectors of Western Europe and her other allies, and France... well, that's just full of French people. :P

The thing is once you have them you are kind of stuck with them in someways. WMD's are like a bad case of herpies, you can try as hard as you can, but it's never gone. The only way you are going to get rid of them is if the nation collapses.