FRONT & CENTER
An update on arms control, national security & politics from the Council for a Livable World.
WHAT’S NEW:
It’s Time to Get Out The Vote!
In the weeks leading up to the election, campaign efforts start to focus on one thing: getting voters to cast their ballots. That’s why we reached out to a number of our endorsed Senate candidates this week to see where our supporters could donate their time to help Get Out the Vote. Check out our GOTV guide to get in contact with the campaigns and find out how you can lend a hand to our candidates. [10/9]
We’re Hiring!
Know any accounting experts interested in working at a mission-oriented non-profit? Because the Center and Council are looking for a full-time financial controller to join our team. Please share the job description–applications are due by October 20!
READ:
And the Winner Is…
Just kidding, we don’t have all the answers—but we do have John Isaacs, and he’s put his polling expertise back in action with a new blog. He reports and interprets last weekend’s batch of the most recent polls to navigate the upcoming midterm election—with all its turns and twists. Political fanatics, indulge! [10/7]
Planes, Trains, and Mobile-Basing?
Cold War ideas of where to house our nuclear weapons—such as hiding missiles on trains and trucks—are beginning to re-surge. Writing on the Center blog, Scoville Fellow Greg Terryn reminds us that “mobile-basing”—like nuclear weapons themselves—is an expensive and dangerous idea that is better left in the past. [10/2]
Don’t Forget About the Other ‘Rogue State’:
For over a year, the U.S. has been all eyes on Iran, but is this distracting us from states that already have nuclear weapons—such as the ever-unpredictable North Korea? On the blog, Sarah Tully suggests that the DPRK’s nuclear program is “flying under the radar” while the U.S. spends its days engaging Iran and refusing to engage North Korea. [10/2]
Who’s Minding the Nukes?
It’s no secret our nuclear weapons enterprise has been under fire this year for a truly inexcusable culture of complacency. Katie McCarthy underlines the irony that poor management in the NNSA has arisen despite the NNSA’s initial mission: to escape poor management. However, the incoming NNSA director, Frank Klotz, may come as a ray of hope for much-needed reform. [10/3]
FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL:
A Ray of Light for Weiland and Grimes:
We woke up to some good news on October 9th! After weeks of grim prospects for Senate hopeful Rick Weiland (D-SD), a game-changer fell from the sky: the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee announced Thursday it will spend $1 million on his race, sensing he still has a shot. Weiland’s surge coupled this week with new polls predicting that Alison Lundergan Grimes (D-KY), who faces Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, has taken a small lead. Read the breakdown on our blog.. [10/9]
Attention Political Junkies
Check out our Senate Election Center! We’re officially into October, meaning November 4th is less than 4 weeks away! It’s time to read up on the Council-endorsed candidates whose tight races will decide control of the Senate.
BE SOCIAL:
Almost to 5,000 Followers!
Just last week, the National Security Council’s WMD advisor cited the Nukes of Hazard Twitter handle and blog as an “expert source” at the Military Reporters & Editors Conference. Make sure you follow Nukes_of_Hazard on Twitter for all your nuclear and national security related news. And hey, our @LivableWorld handle is getting a little jealous, so make sure you follow the Council’s Twitter to stay updated on the 2014 elections!
ICYMI: the Iran Talks on Buzzfeed
When it comes to these complex international negotiations, sometimes it helps to dumb down the wonk for a moment and just have some fun. That’s why we teamed up with our friends at Win Without War to break down the talks with quotes from the 2004 hit film, Mean Girls. If you’re ready for a laugh, check out our BuzzFeed article—and don’t forget to give it a share on Facebook and Twitter!
