Kelly/Mattis can't or won't prevent Trump from using nukes.

[LuckyCharms]

I think the narrative that Trump can be stopped needs to be examined further.

I would like it to be true, but I can't see them physically restraining the guy. If Trump got a wild hair up his ass and decided to attack, it would take physical restraint to stop him unless his first strike capabilities are limited beforehand.

[samnsara]

1. maybe they can yell at him from across the room...

...toss shit at him or threaten that its an impeachable offense...Surely they wouldn't just sit there and allow it.

[LuckyCharms]

4. It is ingrained in them to follow the orders of their commander unless the order is

illegal. I honestly do not think that much will be questioned when the rubber meets the road.

[MontanaMama]

2. Malcom Nance stated

(on Stephanie Miller 10/11) that the act of tackling Dotard would have "terminal results". He did not elaborate. However, if it means what is sounds like it means...then tackling the pResident could be a death sentence. Wonder if Kelly/Mattis have that level of commitment?

[LuckyCharms]

7. Yes and that is my point...

I think they will fall back on their training and follow orders.

[Girard442]

11. They will be in a situation that none of their training and experience has prepared them for.

[LuckyCharms]

20. All the more reason to default to what they know...follow orders. n/t

[woodsprite]

21. I took it to mean that Secret Service might try to off them if they tried.

I hadn't considered court martial w/ execution. Didn't figure they'd get that far.

[Girard442]

3. It isn't an actual button to be pushed.

Whatever happens, other people have to take some fairly elaborate actions. Ultimately, it will boil down to the POTUS saying to a military officer, in effect, "launch the missiles."

And then, either they do or they don't.

[FSogol]

5. Exactly, didn't the military mostly ingore Trumpy's demand to remove all transgender soldiers from

the armed forces? Of course it is easy to ignore a tweet in lieu of actual orders thru a chain of command.

[LuckyCharms]

6. It is physically probably a key to be turned...

and that key is probably monitored by 2 or more people, and they each have pistols.

Once Trump sets off the chain of events required, it's most likely a done deal.

[sarisataka]

12. No, it is a plastic card

Called the biscuit which has codes printed on it. Which code is used tells NORAD which nuclear plan to execute

[Girard442]

13. One would assume there is one code that means:

"Massive attack on North Korea which has a high probability of eliminating all nuclear capability."

[sarisataka]

14. I am not familiar

With the specifics but it is reasonable to expect such a code exists

[MontanaMama]

15. Biometric scan?

followed by entering the codes from the biscuit?

[Girard442]

16. I don't think they worry too much about being fooled by Martin Landau in a Trump mask.

I could be wrong.

[MontanaMama]

17. Scan of his hand...

like a finger print.

[PJMcK]

27. Terrific "Mission Impossible" reference!

Well done, Girard442! The original series was one of my favorite TV programs as a kid. Along with "The Man From Uncle" and "The Saint," these shows filled my desire for 007-type programs. Of course, "Get Smart" was a must-see, too!

An interesting bit of trivia is that Peter Graves joined the series as the IM Leader James Phelps at the beginning of the second season. In the first season, Steven Hill was Dan Briggs, the IM Leader. He left the show because of scheduling conflicts related to his Orthodox Jewish faith, (he would have had to film on Friday nights and Saturday mornings). Years later, he would play the role of District Attorney Adam Schiff on the original TV show, "Law And Order."

Isn't it curious that there's a Congressman named Adam Schiff who is investigating the nefarious deeds of the president? Art imitates Life imitates Art...

[LuckyCharms]

19. Yes, but I mean the actual detonation mechanism which...

would be the final step after the codes are rolled down to the people manning the detonator.

[MontanaMama]

22. I wouldn't think the folks

manning the detonator are going to stand down. That'd be a death sentence for sure.

[LuckyCharms]

24. I agree, that's why they have guns and 2 people or possibly more...

the one who does not have the stomach for it will be killed.

[sarisataka]

26. Yes at that point

It is a two key launch protocol

It is known that the system is often tested, I believe to the point of turning keys. The missile officers have no idea if it is real or a drill. They enter the given codes and turn the keys. At that point they learn if we are at war.

[HopeAgain]

8. I think we need to end this Mattis/Kelly are good guys myth...

First, they are politically aligned with Trump or they would not be there -- they want to take away healthcare and entitlements, force the right wing christian agenda down our throats and end civil rights. That is the job they signed up for.

Second, we need to stop this American general worshiping. These guys were just ego-maniacal, glorified bureaucrats.

Third, I have yet to see one word from either Mattis or Kelly that assures me that they would do the right thing in a crucial situation. If they were so smart, they would have seen Trump was an unpredictable nut long, long ago.

[LuckyCharms]

10. Agree. There is an argument floating around that

these two generals are staying in their positions for love of country and to keep control of Trump. I don't believe that.

[defacto7]

9. The real button is...

Loyalty. Does Trump have it or not?

[bpj62]

18. The Football

The bag which got its name during the Kennedy Administration contains a series of nuclear scenarios that the President can choose from. When the President reads the codes on the biscuit to the officer on the opposite end of the secure line and the code is authenticated the President can then decide which nuclear option he chooses to go with,. It could be land based ICBM, it could be bombers in the air force or from carriers, or submarines. Once the plan is entered into the computer the plan is authenticated via codewords by the Navy or Airforce and once authenticated the target is confirmed and the delivery platform locks the location in via satellite and the weapons are released for use. The President can stand down the launch prior to launch but once the weapon is in the air I am not certain if they can be self destructed. My apologies for the length but it really happens in minutes.

As for Mattis and Kelly restraining the President well that is a fantasy as both men would either be restrained or shot by the Secret Service whose sole mission is to ensure that the President is able to safely discharge his duties. Pretty bleak scenario.

[MontanaMama]

23. Dotard can't find

his substantial ass with both hands...no way can he can comprehend a series of scenarios and make an informed decision. He can't even spell Little correctly. We are in deep shit.

[bpj62]

25. That would be nice

Unfortunately the football is carried by a military officer whose sole job is to help the President with those very issues that you brought up. Unless He has a complete meltdown and curls up in the fetal position we are screwed.