Rehugo: Government

Cyrus Pescasio

English 3 AP
February 17, 2011
Soeth

Rehugo: Government

A. Articles I read are “The Threat of Nuclear Terrorism is Real,” by Matthew Bunn and “The Threat of Nuclear Terrorism is Exaggerated,” by James W. Moore.

B. Articles attached (See citation)

C. Matthew Bunn argues that nuclear terrorism is something we should highly be
concerned about. He wrote, “Nuclear weapons or their essential ingredients exist in
hundreds of buildings in dozens of countries, with security measures that range from
excellent to appalling...” Bunn also notes that the security of the nuclear weapon ingredients are not regulated tightly. The ingredients for a nuclear weapon can easily be found and be created to be used against America.
James W. Moore explains in his article that nuclear terrorism is a significant problem the people should know, however the idea is exaggerated. Moore argues that the terrorists against America do not have the intelligence to build a nuclear weapon. Al-Qaeda “is likely the only network with the requisite characteristics to pursue extreme nuclear terror either by acquiring or developing a nuclear weapon.…” so the problem of nuclear terrorism is brought down to one country. The American people do not have to act paranoid since the US will only have to regulate one potential country with a nuclear weapon.

D. Evidence.
Matthew Bunn uses Rolf Mowatt-Larsen from the Nuclear Material Information Program
(NMIP), an eye-witness, to support his argument. Bunn explains that Larsen has only began to make a list of the nuclear ingredients stolen, meaning the regulation of the ingredients for a nuclear weapon isn’t too important. Which means terrorists can steal the ingredients and the security who regulate these items wouldn’t know which country would have the idea of building a nuclear weapon.
James W. Moore uses evidence from the Department of National Defense, saying that al-Qaeda is the only possible country with the funds and intelligence to develop a nuclear weapon. Unlike the other terrorist countries they may only have one of these qualities, so panicking is not needed because only one country may be a only possible threat.

E. Rhetorical Devices.
Matthew Bunn uses the allusion of the Hiroshima bombing to remind the audience the destructive amount of damage it caused in a city. The effect of using this allusion brings back the memory of all the sufferings and the fear seen from Japan, and having to imagine to experience the same situation is frightening. Because of the emotion, fear, you’re easily influenced by Bunn’s argument.
James W. Moore uses logos to help support his argument by describing how terrorists who would want to build nuclear weapons cannot because of the lack of funds and the intelligence. Their countries have a problem with poverty so how can the terrorists find the means to develop a nuclear weapon.

F. Nuclear weapons are something we should handle with full attention, especially since we have experienced a terrorist attack on September 11. Knowing the fact that the security of the nuclear ingredients isn’t very strict is frightening to hear. Even if Moore explains how one country is likely to build a nuclear weapon, one nuclear missile will still cause massive destruction. An enemy country with intentions of hurting our country holding a destructive force is a disturbing thought. Bunn is right, we should be paranoid about this predicament, this concerns the lives of many Americans.

G. Citation
-Bunn, Matthew. "The Threat of Nuclear Terrorism Is Real." Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Gale, 16 Feb. 2011. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. .

-Moore, James W. "The Threat of a Nuclear Terrorism Is Exaggerated." Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. The Jourmal of Conflict in Studies, 16 Feb. 2011. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. .