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from the its-my-ball-and-I'm-taking-it-home dept.
Axios: Kelly, Secret Service agent scuffled with Chinese officials over nuclear 'football'
White House chief of staff John Kelly and a Secret Service agent scuffled with Chinese security officials over the U.S. nuclear "football" during a trip to China in November, Axios reported Sunday.
[...] The interaction reportedly took place during President Trump's trip to Beijing's Great Hall of the People. The aide carrying the briefcase was blocked from entering the hall, and another official quickly told Kelly, five sources told Axios.
Kelly then came over and told the officials to continue walking in, after which a Chinese security official grabbed at Kelly, and the chief of staff pushed him off, according to Axios. A Secret Service agent then tackled the Chinese security official, the publication reported.
U.S. officials were asked to not discuss the interaction, according to Axios. Chinese officials were never in possession of the bag containing the launch codes, and a top Chinese security official apologized to the Trump team afterward.
The nuclear football (also known as the atomic football, the President's emergency satchel, the Presidential Emergency Satchel, the button, the black box, or just the football) is a briefcase, the contents of which are to be used by the President of the United States to authorize a nuclear attack while away from fixed command centers, such as the White House Situation Room. It functions as a mobile hub in the strategic defense system of the United States. It is held by an aide-de-camp.
(Score: 1) by anubi on Wednesday February 21 2018, @05:08AM
Good! It scares the shit out of me to have to trust something I can't fix on the spot should it break.
Or at least have workarounds in order.
I already have enough trouble with my technology. I know full good and well not to use my old-school shaver when the TV is on. It renders it inoperable. Reason: It has a brushed motor with no EMI suppression at all. Same with Mom's kitchen mixer and our TV back in the 50's. I often find the highest tech stuff we have is rendered useless if an old tech device is operating nearby. In my house, I discovered both my cellphone and TV were inoperative if a particular fluorescent light bulb was turned on. It brings to light to me just how "nice" things have to be these days to all get along together. One skunk in the crowd and all hell breaks loose.
I was sure hoping our President was not relying on technology out of a controlled environment. It scares me because all too often, I see management types, devoid of any technical expertise, do the damndest things.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]