We can all be grateful that they didn't hit the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Clavert CO. MD, or any other nuclear plant for that matter.

While nuclear power plants can't explode, had the containment vessel been breached, it would have spread VERY radioactive stuff a great distance. All the firemen trying to put out that fire would be dead by now as well as people in the surrounding area.

The long term consequences would have been worse.

 

The G-D Damn Short term consequences are bad enough @10,000+ people dead but that not bad enough for you

 

You miss my point. I was only highlighting that there are targets all around us that are subject to attack. Attacks on some these targets could have LONG lasting negative effects. The aircraft that went down in PA may have been headed for Ft.Detrict (sp?). The is the center for US military chemical and biological research. That is a very chilling thought.

 

I don't think he insinuated that it was not bad, but that it could have been much worse. Hindsight is 20/20.

 

The containmement facility can withstand a direct plane attack.
I believe it is about 3 ft of reinforced concrete. Design specs require this. I am not sure what size plane or safety factors are used but it is at least a 727 considering when specs where written. If a plane did get through containment building it would still not mean a rupture of the containment vessel..

There are many targets but I for one am not going to publish them..


PS.. the WTC was design to withstand a 747 attack.. IMWO they did that- but the fire was the ultimate force that brought the building down.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by LewKeim
[B]

PS.. the WTC was design to withstand a 747 attack.. IMWO they did that-

 

In attacking the WTC they chose a high profile target more for what it symbolises, in terms of the American way of life and values. It was also highly visible to the media and the population.
They could indeed have chosen far more sinister targets, a fact which I am sure is not lost on those who are currently reviewing security arrangements!

 

The steel beams did have a coating on them to withstand the normal temperature of a standard office fire...like paper, office furniture, carpet, etc. burning. The steel definitely was not able to withstand the tremendous heat generated by jet fuel over a long period of time. The plane was completely full of fuel for the long trip to CA. I am amazed that the building held up as well as it did, actually. The reason for collapse is because the steel weakened after being exposed to the extreme high temperatures of the fire. When the steel beams could no longer withstand the weight of the floors above them, the floors above acted sort of like a pile driver, pushing all that weight of concrete and steel quickly down to the ground. At least at was able to hold up long enough for many folks to get out. Unfortunately, it was also long enough for the police and fire fighters to get in.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ElTianti
[B]We can all be grateful that they didn't hit the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Clavert CO. MD, or any other nuclear plant for that matter.

While nuclear power plants can't explode, had the containment vessel been breached, it would have spread VERY radioactive stuff a great distance.

 

Today our foes have only stealth and suicide. How far away are they from nuclear bombs in laundry trucks or vials of anthrax in detergent boxes?