3/11/03

HOW BIBLICAL: The connections between this coming war and the bible-belters of America are many and pervasive. Even the weapons designers are close to god. For example, the inventer of the "Big Blue" BLU-82 slurry explosives bonb -- a.k.a., "the daisy-cuitter" -- boasts of his authorship of books on creationism, especially as it relates to science and Mormonism.

Dynetics, maker of the BLU-82, offers on its web site this tidbit about Big Blue's creator:
Melvin A. Cook's life is intimately connected with the history of explosives, he is a scientist,, inventor, teacher, businessman, theorist, consultant, expert witness, entrepreneur, and author. Cook's personal involvement in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the field of explosives spans more than fifty years. Cook's greatest commercial explosives invention was formulated in December of 1956, when he created a new blasting agent using an unusual mixture of ammonium nitrate, aluminum powder, and water. The safety and efficiency of this new explosive were apparent, and the use of water was revolutionary. Tests that followed resulted in the development of a new field of explosives: slurry explosives. This invention converted the commercial explosives industry from "dangerous dynamite" to "safe slurry" and dry blasting agents [ANFO]. In 1972 Cook developed the BLU-82, the largest and most powerful chemical bomb, using aluminized slurry. Cook, a professor of metallurgy at the University of Utah, was a businessman and author of works on explosives. He also published works on creationism, particularly on the relationship between science and Mormonism.

He and George W. Bush must get along swell. One to make the bombs. One to buy them. Two to pray publicly and repeatedly over the moral clarity and sanctity of their mission from god.
Paul Rogers at OpenDemocracy tells the full story.

BUSINESS PRIORITIES: Canadian pizza courier canned for Good Samaritan act. Boss says she abandoned pizza delivery duties.

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