Victorian police once more turned to violence in the streets of Melbourne, as thousands of peaceful anti-war demonstrators gathered to protest outside a warmongers convention where the latest killing machines, including those used to murder children in Gaza by Israelis, were on display and sale. In an attempt to shut down the protest a force of over 1,000 coppers was brought in. The police used batons, rubber bullets and lethal spray muck to attack protesters, all clearly shown on news footage. When the protesters tried to defend themselves by throwing the coppers own horse manure at them, the coppers arrested 39 people. The chief copper called the protesters violent! Disgraceful police action once more.

Hi Paul,

The protests in Melbourne are a disgrace. Protesters have
thrown bottles, rocks, tomatoes, and they behaved violently
both towards police and members of the public. They caused
deliberate chaos.

I'm all for peaceful protests. The ones in Melbourne were
anything but peaceful.

I wonder who these protesters are? I read that they call
themselves "Disrupt Land Forces," and they are an amalgamation
of several groups.

If they want their rights respected - they need to respect
the rights of others. Violence only begets more violence.

I do not think Paul is that simple.
I am sure he realises that there is a demo society that revels in a
good stoush with the police in any left wing cause.
Of course a similar exhibition by Russia and or China would be
welcomed as a peace event.

The hypocrisy is loud and clear !

Leftist traitors should be shot on sight.

When you come to protests carrying rocks, bottles,
tomatoes, balloons filled with urine - your motives
aren't peaceful.

Hi Foxy,

I thought I might ignite some debate with my comment. Now let me explain, rocks, Ed the landscaper was there, hummm, I do believe he was on his way to an rushed job and they were just some site materials. Ah, bottles hot day, ah cool drink, would you believe, tomatoes, do you believe they were for tonight's tossed salad, everyone is coming over for the birthday party. Balloons, um party time, urine ahhhh.... would you believe grandma is turning 97, and the shop was out of helium, everyone knows urine is a great sub for helium. Now I've explained all that what about those coppers! One poor (peaceful) demonstrator had his shirt sprayed with some kind of canned chunder! That wont come out in the wash, no matter how hard his mum tries, would you recommend pre-soaking?

Foxy we must have a laugh at time. Yes I didn't agree with anyone there, not the protesters, nor the coppers and certainly not the warmongers inside.

Indeed Foxy,
it was also repeatably reported that someone threw acid at the cops.

I am afraid that the article I read recently that the Greens are
no longer what they were is very true.
They are no longer an environmentally orientated movement but have
turned into a hard left socialist movement.
They seem to be aligning with the Moslem Vote to some extent, but they
should heed that warning "until they come for you".

Never mind, it will all come out in the wash !

The core issue is militarism, and the display and sale of weapons of war. I agree with the motives of the protesters. The exact nature of the violence is unknown, subject to manipulation and exaggeration. Several Zionist warmongers were in attendance peddling the very weapons used to kill thousands of innocent children in Gaza. I deplore all forms of violence, be it by protesters, or by police, worse than both of those are the paddlers of murder, showing off their murdering tools of trade!

As I understand it - the expo is about companies from
overseas coming to Australia to show our government the
best and latest in military equipment that there is available
worldwide.

Equipment that our government should know about for defence
and the national security of our country.

Realistically, nobody wants more wars. Also realistically we
do have to be prepared for defence should the need arise.
Protesting is a right that people should be able to have.
But violence should not play a part in any protests. People
can protest peacefully. And governments also have a right to
be able to have expos of the latest military equipment with
which to defend the country.

Hi Foxy,

"Protesting is a right that people should be able to have.
But violence should not play a part in any protests."

Hear, hear, I totally agree with that, and in this case I extend that to the police as well.

As a pacifist I cannot condone merchants of war putting on display their deadly wares for sale. At this so called expo was a large contingent of Zionists warmongers offering for sale the very weapons that are being used today in Gaza to murder thousands of innocent women and children.

I find the notion that you must prepare for war to prevent war an absurdity, it just don't happen that way, and history bears that out. We as human beings must find a better way, otherwise our total annihilation is assured.

In all honesty, can anyone claim that protesters are peaceful ? I mean, seriously ?

Realistically, nobody wants more wars
Foxy,
You'd be surprised !

The Woke Marxist's have also been using counter protests to silence other protesters views. The Woke Marxist's and Aboriginal proxies have been holding counter protests on Australia Day in an attempt to shut down Australia Day. I believe the police should be shutting down counter protests and keeping Anti-Australia Day protesters away from Australia Day Events. Next the Woke Marxists and their proxies will go after ANZAC Day and Christmas. Woolworths has apparently boycotted Australia Day so I have boycotted Woolworths.

The Woke Marxist's now control many institutions including Health Care , School, Tertiary Education- they can kill people of counter revolutionary cultures.

What to do about people trying to disrupt the defense of the west from Marxist China? It's not only necessary to police the protest actions but also to "police" their insurgent activities throughout society. Maybe the police are not the best institution to do this (they are also being corrupted from Woke Marxism). Yuri Bezmenov talked about this in his Harvard Speech.

I believe that some of the protesters at the Military Expo want the west to be unprepared for a conflict with China. I believe that we should put these protesters on the front lines of a Chinese battle front so they are the first to "receive" the Chinese Marxist aggression.

Maybe we should use the similar Communist Political Commissar's against the Western Woke Marxist Communist's. Use Communism to destroy Communism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_commissar

If Woke Marxist's want to damage western morale they should pay for their disloyalty and their damage

Kudos Kid,

The Neo-Nazi's are very big on shutting down protests they don't agree with. AND you'll find them on social media calling for such action as; "they should pay for their disloyalty" The folk hero of today's NN's Adolf Hitler was also very big on making the disloyal pay, as are today's equivalents like The Dangerous Doctor Donald wanting the disloyal to pay the price.

p/s Didn't know there was a "Woolies" store down there in Alabama servicing the Good Ole' Boys like you. You should check them out, they're having a big special this week on white bed sheets, how many do you want?

Greenboy slams 'brutal' police action against 'peaceful' demonstrators. Foxy says there was nothing peaceful about the demonstration. Greenboy claims that he was just trying stimulate a discussion. What a fool.

The fool and other fools, including the scum throwing sh.t at the police, were OK with baton charges and rubber bullets against people protesting against government Covid tyranny, but when it comes to anti-West, pro-Israel yobs, it's all police bad, yobs good.

There is no enshrined 'right' to demonstrate: block roads, interfere with people going about their lawful business, no matter how much people wrongly equate thuggery with free speech.

Demonstrations achieve nothing except ill-will and costly inconvenience.

The way to deal with demonstrations is with water canon: knock the bastards over, soaked to the skin, and in shock.

The Albanese government introduces its appalling misinformation Bill today. A two-tier rulebook for what you can say, depending on who you are.

The idea is to close down free speech via social media, because Albanese has neither the guts nor the gumption to deal with individuals; and he can levy huge fines against organisations but not individuals. Albanese is an evil man. He and the also evil mainstream media will continue to peddle their own lies and misinformation.

Sydney, Sept. 12th, Reuters:

Reuters tells us that "Australia introduces a bill to
try to step up the fight against hate crimes."

We're told that the Australian government introduced
a new hate-crime legislation that would impose criminal
penalties including jail for offenders if they targeted a
person's race, gender, ethnic origin, religion, or
sexual orientation.

The bill comes in as this government responds to a rise in
hate incidents following the Israel-Gaza war. It follows
the landmark laws that were passed last year that banned
the Nazi salute and public displays of terror group symbols.

" No Australian should be targeted because of who they are
or what they they believe in," Attorney- General Mark Dreyfus
said in a statement.

"We proudly live in a vibrant, multi-cultural and diverse
community which we must protect and strengthen."

The bill proposes jail sentences of up to 5 years for anyone
threatening to use force or violence against a group or
person and if a person fears that the threat would be
carried out offenders could get 7 years in jail if the threats
pose a threat to the government.

The Labor government has also said it would also introduce a
bill to tackle "doxxing". The malicious release of anyone's
personal data online - threatening offenders with jail up to
6 years.

This comes as a result of a promise the PM made in February
when hundreds of Jewish-Australians private information
was published by anti- Israeli groups.

Most people would approve of the steps the government is
taking to protect us in this country against fundamentalists
and extremists.

cont'd ...

Regarding Labor's Misinformation Bill?

In January the federal government proposed legislation
that seeks to curb the online spread of false and
misleading information. And, since then a range of
experts and groups have accused the draft of the Bill
of being vaguely worded and encouraging censorship.

Despite its faults the Bill is well-intentioned.

Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland says:

"Misinformation and disinformation sows division within
the community, undermines trust and can threaten public
health and safety."

The Bill is yet to be debated in parliament, which means
there is still time for amendments to be made. In particular
the impression of key terminology.

The government being consultative in everything it's done
to date - I'm sure will consult with and listen to experts
and sort this Bill out so that it doesn't
endanger the very democracy that it purports to defend.

Time will tell.

The mad bit about the bill is that the government is exempt from
any action against it for misinformation.
I guess it is necessary because otherwise it would clog up the courts.

The real ttbn comes to the fore! Claims to be a supporter of freedoms, but what do we get from this extremists; "The way to deal with demonstrations is with water canon: knock the bastards over, soaked to the skin, and in shock." Oh! yes, a demo I attended a few years back, mostly old folk protesting about the closure of their local post office, peaceful, with speeches from the local pollies, concerned citizens etc. All was well until this Old Fart atop a Sherman tank/water cannon, opened up with a mega blast, he knocked the bastards over, soaked them to the skin, rendered them senseless in shock! He was last seen trundling off down the road, giving the local rednecks and bovver boys the customary "Sieg Heil" salute of victory! Yelling as he went, "See boys, that's how we deal with these bloody demonstrators!"

The irony is that a move to either extreme leads to a mindset of hatred, much like a distribution with the tails joined.

The ‘Advance’ organisation has claimed that this violent protest, which entailed the throwing of rocks and acid at police, as well as excreta, included Green MPs and supporters, adding violence to their repertoire of decriminalising hard drugs, punting for mass immigration, and massive taxation on our mining industry and businesses, as well as inheritance taxes.

Advance has made no secret about their pre-election campaign against the Greens, and included in their release about the Greens part in the recent violent protest, are accusations against the Greens as “a party of sexual harassment, bullying, rape and assault.

Leading with, “This week they got violent, but the Greens have been abusive for years”, Advance reveals that since they began their Greens Truth campaign they have heard from “hundreds of former Green members, volunteers and voters, all saying that the Greens are not what they used to be. It is alleged that:

. 318 members of the Greens signed an open letter demanding an end to their party's abusive culture
. There are at least 44 complaints of misconduct
. 26 complaints of sexual assault
. 1 criminal conviction with 2 pending

Advance intends to report more on the party that wants to influence the Labor party if they enough votes.

Don't be fooled by this so called 'Advance' they are a radical far right movement, with political connections to the extreme side of politics. A Sandra Bourke is the supposed moderate face of this radical secret society. Who is behind the mask, how is it funded, what is its political connections. These reasonable type questions go unanswered.

The Greens party is a radical far Left movement with political connections to the extreme side of politics. Adam Bandt is the not so moderate face of this radical secret society. Who is behind the mask, how is it funded, what are its political connections. Well, that question has been answered: global communism, of course.

It remains to be seen if the ultra-Left Greens will deny or admit the allegations of abusive culture, misconduct, 26 allegations of sexual assault, and criminal activity: one case already decided with a conviction, and two more to be heard.

Advance will continue to carry out its investigations and disclose its findings/warnings right up to the next election. In the meantime, Greens politicians are attending violent demonstrations and backing the vicious protestors on Australian taxpayers' dollar. They are undermining the society
that pays their wages. They no longer even try to fool the public that are just a batty bunch of tree huggers. They are so arrogant that they don't even try to hide the fact that they are pure evil.

Unlike the Greens, a registered political party which fully discloses all that is required under Australian law, the secret society Advance describes itself as a "lobby group" has no elected leadership, makes no discloses. Advance simply operates as a secret organisation on the political fringe.

Of course ttbn would support Radical Advance, he is known on this forum for his previous support of an extreme far right political party (now defunct). Unfortunately for the poor sod that particular flirtation finished somewhat badly, out of pocket, and high and dry!

Personally I think an anti-war protest is about the most legitimate worthy protest I've seen in some time.
Beyond that leadership in this country is so pathetic on both sides which are both pro-war, that I have no problems with the average Joe going down to the protest and venting their frustrations.

I have no problems with the average Joe in Victoria venting that the police are scum and that the federal government Albo and Dutton (Dumb and Dumber) can go and get stuffed.

These freakin idiots in charge are going to get us all killed anyway.
http://x.com/thesiriusreport/status/1834478890233794758

Hear hear AC,

But don't forget to die with the upmost decorum, and of course wearing clean underpants.

Nuremberg Dan,

"Leftist traitors should be shot on sight." is that a personal opinion, or are you quoting your folk hero Adolf Hitler? maybe its both.

Arms dealers don't want war, yep and drug dealers don't want addicts!

p/s Can anyone help? I don't like my neighbour, so I put me 5" Howitzer in the front yard (yes must be prepared) pointing at his bedroom as a deterrent, loaded of course. Do you know what that bastard done, he put a cruise missile in his front yard pointed at my joint, an act of provocation if ever I've seen one. Naturally I got the first shot off, there goes ugly old Mrs Fags, that brat of a kid of theirs, their mangy dog, and that pathetic excuse for a cat! The bastard fired back, there goes my darling wife, my little sunshine, Popes the dog and Tiddles our cat, not to mention the house, garage, and me back shed! Can trust no one these days!

Not being a political party is an assett. People think for themselves; they are not bullied and browbeaten, used and abused. They are not supported by taxpayers who have to pay for politicians they loathe.

Apart from a few hicks, nobody joins political parties now.

As for AC's "anti war" demonstration. The scum in Melbourne were not anti-war: they were, and always will be, anti-West, traitors to their own country and culture. They don't want Australia to be able to defend itself against the Communism they want to see spread world-wide. They don't want Australia to have a viable defence industry. The Greens want anarchy. The Greens are definitely the enemy within, and they no longer bother to hide their evil intentions.

Labor is bad enough. Imagine Labor having to rely on the Greens to cling to power next year! No sane person will put the Greens anywhere but last on the ballot paper at the next election.

The treasonous Green scum protest against our pathetic little collection of military equipment, but say nothing about Communist China’s massive, and growing, war machine.

That's all you need to know about the Greens.

Even Victoria's to-the-Left- of-Dan Premier supports the arms expo.

Out of around 18 million voters in Australia, only around 40,000 are members of the Liberal, 60,000 for Labor, and 15,000 in the Greens.

Disinterest and/or disgust seems to be the default of Australians when it comes to politics: the most disinteresting and disgusting being the Greens.

Like the majority of Australians, I have never been, and will never be, a member of any political party. There is a big difference between making the odd donation to a cause, and selling your soul to a political party - none of which can be trusted.

"I (ttbn) have never been, and will never be, a member of any political party"

Well blow me down, isn't this the bloke who in 2019 was claiming membership of the Corny Banana Fascists Party. I suppose a mob that scores only half a percent of the popular vote, and then disappears up its own a-hole, leaving the old fella in the lurch can't really be called a political party.

"Apart from a few hicks, nobody joins political parties now."
- Can you blame them?

I like to imagine Albo and Dutton hanging by a rope tied to one leg each in the public square.
- Close enough that if they can swing a little they can slap each other.

Dutton: 'This is all your fault Albo, now they're all out to get us, you always had to push things one step too far'
Albo: 'You can't blame me for this Peter, it's your lot that lost touch with the Australian people.'

"As for AC's 'anti war' demonstration. The scum in Melbourne were not anti-war: they were, and always will be, anti-West traitors to their own country and culture."
Well I can't blame them for that either.
We currently seem to have more to think about than we have to gloat about, I have plenty of criticisms against the West too, but people like yourself don't want to listen.
What specific criteria are you using for this 'traitor' criteria.
I think you Israel-firsters are somewhat traitors on account of the fact one can't serve two masters.
Finally, if my government is in my opinion doing the wrong thing, then I won't support what the government does,
- but does that automatically make me a traitor?
Over in America there's this trial of the Uhuru 3, Black nationalists.
Now the judge in the case ruled these people were guilty of spreading disinformation, but get this - it wasn't deemed disinformation because it was untrue, it was deemed disinformation because it went against the official government narrative.
So much for free speech.

"They don't want Australia to be able to defend itself against the Communism they want to see spread world-wide."
- What you want is for Australia - a non-nuclear state to help take on a nuclear armed state, China.
Are you freaking mad?

[Cont.]
We don't need to worry about communists abroad.
Take Albo and his Ministry of Truth.
What about these age restrictions for social media?
- Access via digital ID? Identify all VPN's
Why do they go after twitter?
The don't want people having access to truths that go against the official government narratives.
The communists are already here within us, in the 'democracy' you foolishly champion.

"They don't want Australia to have a viable defence industry."
- I don't either at this point.
If we are not a sovereign nation but instead a subordinate vassal state, then we will just get used like Ukraine, and everywhere else, the US likes to pit others against each other for their own interests.

I could care less about the US and it's rules based order and unipolarity.
I herald it's end, and the way I see nations lining up to join BRICS, its already a done deal.
The Rubicon has already been crossed.
The world has had enough of the U.S and it's bs.
They are the declining empire, and like it or not, capitalism goes where the money is, and it won't be the U.S when they sanction and steal central bank funds.
We wont have to worry about the immigrants for long they will move back to their own countries which will soon have far better opportunities than here.

The world is full of shite.

They say China uses unsustainable loans to gain influence.

Well why are ALL the African leaders meeting in China.
http://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/06/china/china-africa-us-xi-jinping-intl-hnk/index.html
You don't see this in America, who wants to dictate everything on the continent.

France and the US have recently been kicked out.
They're all going to join BRICS - I hear we're looking at some 156 countries now.

China, Russia, India, South America, Africa, M/E, Eurasia, S/E Asia
Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Venezeula, Azerbaijan Turkey (NATO member) Palestine
Everyone except the west.
Actually I think one of the EU countries has even considered it, Slovakia or Slovenia...

The US has sanctions on 1/3 of the planet.
Well soon those countries might all be sanctioning the West.

http://infobrics.org/

Right now there's a lot of forums and meeting going on in Russia.
They're building the internal framework so that BRICS has all the internal policies and framework like the G7.

The world changes in October.

When you come to protests carrying rocks, bottles,
tomatoes, balloons filled with urine - your motives
aren't peaceful.
Foxy,
Wow ! Cheers !

27 police officers from Victoria and interstate required
medical treatment following the protests. The behaviour of
protesters was criticized by both the Police Chief Commissioner
Shane Patton and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan. More than
1,000 protesters lit fires, blocked traffic and clashed with
police.

Disgraceful behaviour

If you're genuine in protesting against
violence, against arms, against war, -
you don't go out and arm yourself and attack and behave
violently against those whose
job it is to defend and keep us safe from violence and harm -
the police.

Hi Foxy,

Been a good evening at our place, with a few muso friends around for a little get together, a glass or two of vino, eaties, been good fun as everyone joined in, lovely evening outside, all out the back now "chewing the fat". Watched a friends and his groups latest short ammeter film production 7 minutes, about a grandfather 79, and his 17 year old granddaughter trapped together in a doomsday room, after a nuclear attack, a powerful production, in the final 8 for an award. Reminded me that my wife joined "Playing For Change" some years back, a world wide group of muso's who want to promote peace and harmony all over the world through music, they also produce some terrific stuff, here's a couple that gets 10 out of 10 from me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xjPODksI08

Dear Paul,

Thanks for sharing your happy get-together and for the
music links. Get togethers can brings us so much joy.
They re-vitalize us. And music has such a deep impact.
I remember the impact that Lennon's "Imagine," had on
me. As did Farnham's "The Voice," Paul Simon's "The
Sound of Silence," to name just a few.

I took part in the anti-Vietnam War Protests. I protested
against the Soviet occupation OF Sovereign states. Against
the Soviet Regime. "Ruskie Go Home!" I've donated money to
help Ukraine in its fight for freedom. I've donated to
Indigenous causes, and the list goes on.

I believe in legitimate peaceful right of protest. However,
the recent protests here in Melbourne ended up being
totally unacceptable. The behaviour was wrong - and did
not win support or empathy

“Nothing better epitomises the Greens’ contribution to the national debate than protesters who support its causes by hurling horse manure and garbage bins around the streets of Melbourne” one commentator says. (Paywalled).

But it was much worse than that. The sh.t was specifically brought to the event - dog and human sh.t, with urine and other ‘unknown’ liquids in balloons.

25,000 idiots were expected to behave like animals, but only between one and two thousand managed to turn up, according to police.

As usual, a small minority of seriously disturbed people get the publicity they crave, knowing there is no way an ultra-Left Victorian government will do much, if anything, about their behaviour.

I'm sure that all of us should be able to agree
that bad behaviour is bad behaviour no matter
which side of politics behaves badly.
We should not try to condone bad behaviour by saying
"Ah well, it was "them" not "us," behaving badly.

There should not be any excuses and no "Them" and
"Us." in doing what's plainly wrong.

Hi Foxy,

I've been told that there were hot heads on both sides at that protest, some radical protesters went too far, and some police retaliation was excessive against several people who were non-violent. As I wasn't there I can't say what the haps really is. I have experienced agent provocateurs (Neo-Nazi trouble makers at anti-war demos) just out to make trouble, and I've experienced seeing police over react. However I wont justify violence by any means.

I'm sure ttbn, like other extremists from his side of politics will exaggerate the facts where it suits.

p/s Glad you enjoyed the music, you hit the nail on the head with those 3 songs.

I wont justify violence by any means.

Paul1405,
And, then you say this ?

extremists from his side of politics will exaggerate the facts where it suits.

Reads rather provocative & inciting to me !

Indy,

Racists and bigots will lie and exaggerate to gain a perceived advantage. YOU should know that.

Paul1405,
Cheers for proving me right every time !

I think that Paul1405 hates white people even though they have improved the lives of Aboriginal people immeasurably. Good luck when China or India controls Australia. They will live to regret getting into bed with the Marxists. Some people just want the world to burn.

Armchair Critic said that Australia can't compete with China being a nuclear power- yes we need our own nuclear weapons. As a last resort we need to be able to use a nuclear scorched earth tactic.

Most Traditionalist people acknowledge that The West isn't perfect. The thing is Marxists believe they are perfect despite 100 million murders indicating otherwise.

People living in Marxist nations want to escape. Sadly The West can only help to a point, the people in these Marxist nations will need to stand up for themselves, sadly this will mean many deaths, but hopefully they will be able to preserve their unique culture from pervasive Woke Marxist Communism.

Those that promote multiculturalism are racist anti-white anglophobic haters.

Many Traditionalists are instinctually against lawfare as being contemptible but sadly our enemies readily operate within this domain. Traditionalists need cohorts of lawyers to defend our way of life.

Many Traditionalists see the law profession as a costly burden on society. I see a multilayered structure of advocacy and legal professionals to address this need within the Traditionalist Movement/ Diaspora.

During my four decades of residing & working in remote Australian indigenous communities I have encountered quite a number of Paul1405's. The more insipid were (& still are) from a University background. They all have that self convincing belief of knowing everything better without actually comprehending anything involving common sense.
They arrive & immediately declare that all white people are bad. They don't understand body language & cultural & social differences. They usually last about a month or two. I once asked one of them (a rather light skinned) "indigenous" why he was leaving already after just a short time & his reply was; There's nothing here, it's boring ! I would not be at all surprised if he ended up getting a good position due to his "experience & expertise" from being in a remote community !

Now Indy you are claiming; "four decades of residing & working in remote Australian indigenous communities" 40 years you say, that's a new one from you, what as a PUBLIC SERVANT! Don't tell me you were running the local "grog shop". You once said Gough a-holded you from the PS in 72. By my calculation you must now be at lest 110 years old. Doing a quick calculation I've worked out your debt to us poor suffering tax payers now stands at $31,475,962.47.....Once the Seniors National Service is up and running you'll work off that debt in no time, about 2,000 years.

99% of protesters are actually students & other unemployed who depend on the benefits that are possible because of much of the war machinery that protects us from the Paul1405's of this World.
imagine if the rest of us decided to treat them like they treat us ? Imagine the uproar, imagine the terror when they have to rely on their merit etc etc. Imagine Paul1405 having to justify his Public Service position salary ? This nation gets more benefits from three old age pensioners than 50 Paul1405 bureaudroids !

Hi Canem Malum,

"Armchair Critic said that Australia can't compete with China being a nuclear power- yes we need our own nuclear weapons. As a last resort we need to be able to use a nuclear scorched earth tactic."

Nuclear War Expert: 72 Minutes To Wipe Out 60% Of Humans, In The Hands Of 1 Person! - Annie Jacobsen
http://youtu.be/asmaLnhaFiY

I wouldn't support us having a nuclear deterrent just for the sake of it.
I'd support it because it would give us more freedom to be non-aligned geopolitically, and chart our own course rather than be drawn into other nations conflicts.

I don't think that being unconditionally joined to America's hip where their foreign policy is concerned is a good thing.

If you want to get a good understanding of the current nuclear situation between USA and Russia, (and it's really important stuff and serious issues that the world is largely ignoring) I suggest watching the following 2 videos.

This first one will explain the serious side of Russia's nuclear 'sabre rattling', i.e. - 'why is it so?'.
Scott Ritter: Russia’s GLOVES ARE OFF as NATO Does Unthinkable, WWIII is Next
http://youtu.be/_R4Tlol8PvM

Pay attention to the info regarding the U.S. change on Ohio class nuclear submarines with Trident ICBMs from W76-1 warhead to W76-2.
There's more about this including diagrams etc in the following video below.
- Helga's discussion at the beginning is well worth watching but skip to 15 mins in to go straight to Ted Postol explaining the new warheads increased capabilities.

America’s New Nuclear War Plan: Time to Panic? | Amb. Jack Matlock, Col. Larry Wilkerson, Ted Postol
http://youtu.be/fsRmxK_LDxo