A doomsday switch is a stupid idea

Reader comment on item: Might the Saudis Blow Up Their Oil Infrastructure?

Submitted by LTEC (Canada), May 12, 2005 at 21:58

Since "Dr. Strangelove" has already been discussed, I thought I'd mention the movie "Time After Time". We are told that H. G. Wells has invented a time machine, and that he has installed a doomsday switch on it so that it can be easily destroyed. It seemed to me like a stupid idea at the time, and it still does (although it worked for Wells).

The Saudis have enemies who have been known to dabble in terrorism. Is it believable that the government would give them a doomsday switch?

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".