[R-390] EMP effects:

[mlmccauley]

 >Realizing this is somewhat off-topic, but I picked up a novel at a
 >recent booksale that's based on the effects of EMP as well as a
 >"limited" nuclear war.   It's called "Warday" -

Every source that I've ever encountered has said that if there was a 
nuclear exchange within our hemisphere, even a relatively minor one, it 
would throw us back to life in the 1800's.

All the sources disagree on is for how long. Some say weeks, some say 
many years.

And, what's just as sobering, even if the exchange didn't affect us 
directly, immediately, given the high degree to which all economies on 
the planet are now linked, the "side effects" would still be nearly that 
bad. Imagine our world with no/limited trade with all Asian nations, no 
Mid-East/Russian oil, etc. We could make it through it, but it would be 
tough going for some time.

It may be nothing but a pipe dream, but it's easy to understand why 
politicians from both the right and the left have been seeking to get 
rid of nukes for some time. There's a real good reason that the acronym 
MAD (mutually assured destruction) was coined.

But, say, what I oughta do is quit philosophizing on political science 
and get started on my radio, right?     ;<)

Mike, WB5MYY