[ExI] Inflation and the 2024 election

[John Clark]

On Sat, Oct 17, 2026 at 3:27 PM Keith Henson <hkeithhenson at gmail.com> wrote:

*> Me. How deep is a missile sub when it launches?*
>
> *GTP A ballistic-missile submarine typically launches its missiles from
> about 20–50 meters (65–165 feet) below the surface, though the exact depth
> depends on the submarine and missile system.*
>

*ME: How long would it take for the submarine to launch all its missiles?*

*GTP: "**One historical analysis describes intervals of roughly 20 seconds
between Trident launches, which would put 20 launches at about 6 minutes 20
seconds from the first to the last, but that is an estimate based on
reported launch intervals, not a verified specification for today's
operational procedures."*

*ME: Would a submarine be able to receive a radio communication when it was
150 feet underwater launching its missiles?*

*GPT**: "**Yes, but with an important qualification: a submarine 150 feet
underwater could receive certain types of radio communication, but ordinary
radio signals would not penetrate seawater effectively. Very-low-frequency
radio can penetrate seawater, but only to a limited depth and with low data
rates. At 150 feet, reception may be possible under suitable conditions,
depending on the frequency, equipment, and ocean conditions. So a submarine
could potentially receive a low-frequency message while submerged at 150
feet. However, that does not mean it could receive a detailed,
high-bandwidth message instantly or reliably during the launch sequence.*

*A crucial distinction is that receiving a radio signal and receiving an
actionable command are two different things. The signal must be decoded,
authenticated, and processed by the submarine's communications and command
systems. For a nuclear launch, the communications and authorization
procedures are deliberately designed to prevent an unauthorized launch. The
exact operational procedures are classified."*


*John K Clark*






> Keith
>
>
> On Sat, Oct 17, 2026 at 11:53 AM John Clark <johnkclark at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> On Sat, Oct 17, 2026 at 2:41 PM Keith Henson <hkeithhenson at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> *> >>  nobody ever gave Rajneesh the keys to a missile carrying nuclear
>>>>>> submarine like they did for the MAGA leader.*
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> *> I am fairly sure that orders to launch would not be obeyed unless
>>>>> the US was under attack*
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> *> A modern nuclear missile submarine stays 1000 feet underwater for
>>>> months at a time, so the captain of the submarine is completely cut off
>>>> from what's going on in the outside world except for a ultra low frequency
>>>> ultra low bandwidth military radio receiver that can only receive about 2
>>>> words a minute, so the only way he would know that the US was under attack
>>>> was if his Commander and Chief told him it was under attack. And then his
>>>> orders would be clear, launch all missiles.   *
>>>>
>>>
>>> *> I don't think that is the way it works. For one thing, a sub can't
>>> launch from 1000 feet down, so they have to come up to the surface anyway.
>>> At that point, the sub sticks up an antenna and gets messages from
>>> satellites with target details. I may be wrong on this, so if you have
>>> details, please post them.*
>>>
>>
>>
>> *ME**:** Can a modern nuclear missile submarine launch its missiles
>> while still staying submerged?*
>>
>> *GPT: "Yes**. Modern nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines can
>> launch their nuclear missiles while remaining submerged. In fact, this is
>> one of the most important features of these submarines: they can remain
>> hidden underwater while carrying out a strategic nuclear strike. The
>> missiles generally do not ignite their main rocket engines inside the
>> submarine. Instead, they are ejected from their launch tubes and travel
>> upward through the water before their rocket motors ignite.*
>>
>> *The U.S. Navy's Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines carry Trident II
>> D5 missiles and are designed for extended patrols while concealed
>> underwater. Their ability to launch without surfacing makes them a
>> particularly survivable part of the United States' nuclear deterrent. So,
>> yes: the submarine can remain submerged throughout the launch. The missile,
>> of course, must leave the water before its main rocket motor propels it
>> toward space." *
>>
>> *John K Clark*
>>
>>
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>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> *Why do cult preachers who predict an exact date for the end of the
>>>>>>>> world fail to lose any popularity with their slavish acolytes even after
>>>>>>>> that date recedes into the past  and their prediction clearly failed
>>>>>>>> because the world still continues? Nobody knows.  I do have strong evidence
>>>>>>>> that millions of people continue to find Donald J Trump to be charming and
>>>>>>>> charismatic even after he has told literally TENS OF THOUSANDS of lies. For
>>>>>>>> some reason his apparent charm and charisma never worked a damn with me, I
>>>>>>>> find him to be** so stupid and pompous he would be comical if he
>>>>>>>> hadn't introduced so much new misery to the world which already had quite
>>>>>>>> enough. I freely admit I can't explain how doomsday cult leaders or the
>>>>>>>> current leader of the Republican Party could possibly exist, but somehow
>>>>>>>> both can. *
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> *I also know that during the height of the Covid pandemic the
>>>>>>>> difference between a doomsday cult and the modern Republican Party started
>>>>>>>> to get very blurry.  *
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> *John K Clark*
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
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