The Cold War ended about 1990, so why do the United States and Russia still maintain vast nuclear arsenals? Why are so many of these weapons on high-alert status, so that they can be unleashed on a few minutes’ notice?

Considering the many possibilities for some colossal mistake, miscalculation, computer error or malignant insanity, it seems obvious that the human race could extinguish itself in the space of a few weeks. Even if only these governments – or, God forbid, terrorists – fired one or a few of these weapons, the result would be an overwhelming calamity.

This is the greatest and most urgent danger presently facing the human race.

It calls for immediate, intense negotiations between the nuclear powers. It calls for the abandonment of any plans to build new nuclear weapons. It calls for all nations including the United States to live up to their responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including the overriding responsibility of nuclear disarmament.

Even those nations which have not signed the treaty must be made to see the vital importance of giving up their nuclear weapons.

Karl K. Norton

Bangor