Nuclear Threat: How Safe are We? With WLKC Corespondent Dick Travis

 With all that is going on in the world how 'really' safe are we? Ten countries have arsenals of nuclear weapons. Enough firepower to blow the world seven ways to Sunday. Fortunately, we have defense systems to counter such a threat. 

 I'm here at Bunkers Hill tracking station, England, with Software Engineer, Brian Ruddles. 

  It's here from which the movements of missiles, aircraft, satellites, and such are tracked day in and day out and these guys have one hell of a job to perform. 

Brian, I'm concerned. Can a speeding nuclear missile hurtling towards Earth be tracked before it hits say, Glasgow?

''Sure, Dick, but that is irrelevant. Modern glide vehicles  are much more difficult to track and also have much more range than previous generation re-entry vehicles.''

I see. That doesn't sound so good. Can these 'glide vehicles' be destroyed in flight?

''Certainly. Nothing at sea level can really go hypersonic. They glow hot and can be targeted by long-range anti-ballistic missiles well in advance and finally during approach by short-range Surface to Air Missiles in numbers of 4+ creating a literal wall of exploding missiles in front of the approaching warhead.''

And have these 'SAMs' proven their worth, Brian?

''Yes. Some modern hypersonic platforms have recently been intercepted by short-range SAMs since the troubles in Eastern Europe began.''

And does Britain have its own hypersonic weapons?

No. Not yet. However, the UK has signed an agreement with the US and Australia to develop such weapons jointly. So any time now.

That's the 'go' news we wanted to hear Brian. Payback's a bitch. We will all sleep better tonight.

This is Dick Travis, Bunkers Hill, for WLKC. and it's over to the station.

 Can you track a missing dog, Brian, or a philandering wife living in a trailer park somewhere near Vegas with a guy named Carlo?

''No. We usually only do what's in the air, Dick.''

Of course, ''what's in the air.'' Married three weeks and she empties the account and skips town with the car. It's not your problem, Brian. We met in a lap dancing joint. She rinsed me for 200 bucks but we were in love. I knew too late I should have left her sorry ass in Reno with bar boy, flim-flam, Carlo. But I'm not bitter, no. If I only had the launch codes to just one of those missiles I'd know where to stick it. What doesn't kill you, am I right?

''Well, I guess.''

I have a photo here in my wallet...let's see...That's Brandy and that's me in the 'Aloha' shirt and the pink building behind is the Glory Vines chapel in Vegas where we married. Elvis Presley broke his leg in a bar fight so Charlie Chaplin performed the service and he was half the price.

''You both look very happy, Dick, but 'we' have to leave the complex now. 

Where does a guy get a drink 'round here?

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