I was pleased to read in the news that the last of the U.S. declared chemical weapons stockpile was destroyed. Some of these weapons dated back to World War I. The weapons were a horrible means to inflict harm on combatants, and indirectly on civilians as well. In addition, stored and aging munitions are subject to deterioration and instability. They can leak and/or explode. Military personnel and contractors, as well as communities near the storage areas can now breathe a sigh of relief that the horrors that these weapons deliver will not be experienced by them— even accidentally.
In my opinion, that the world’s most powerful nation took this step was a huge move towards lowering world tensions. These weapons are deadly on all life on the planet. This milestone shows that humans are capable of acting responsibly towards this planet, in a direction that bolsters our hopes for a peaceful and productive future.
The Chemical Weapons Convention called for the destruction of this horrifying category of weapons. This important step by the United States should be used to encourage the handful of countries that still manufacture and/or stockpile these weapons to also destroy their stockpiles and manufacturing facilities.
Weapons of mass destruction such as chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons are testaments to the worst in human nature. These weapons are not acceptable for use in a battlefield.
Kudos to the U S Government for erasing its chemical weapons arsenal.
It is now important to move on to rid the world of all weapons of mass destruction— let us not lose momentum! May we use our time and talents to build a world where we, our descendants, and all living creatures can survive and thrive.
Those interested in the details of the program that decommissioned the chemical weapons may want to click on this link: U.S. destroys last of its declared chemical weapons.
