New Cue Lur

Quote of the day:
“I felt very, very strong light, very bright. Then, same time, knock me down, strong wind. I don’t know how long I was unconscious. But when I looked around I couldn’t see anything, I couldn’t hear anything, but just see red and black and grey, so dark, just like a dead country, a dead place.”
--Shikego Sasmori, a survivor of the nuclear bomb exploded over Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945. The bomb killed between 80,000 and 140,000 people.

Quote of the day No. 2:
“I wish that we remember it all--the good and the awful.”
--John Young, from the script for "Testament"

With the news of North Korea’s test of a nuclear bomb, national attention has been on the number of additional nations who have or may be developing nuclear devices. There is a lot of speculation and debate about if or when certain nations or groups may be able to develop nuclear weapons technology.

To me, it is certain that nations and groups both friendly and hostile to us will eventually develop this capability. With this proliferation, the probability of a nuclear bomb being used is increasing, and will continue to increase over the next 20 to 30 years.

After the fall of the Soviet Union 16 years ago, we went through a period where the nuclear threat seemed permanently minimal or nonexistent. Then September 11th made us very aware of the direct terrorist threat to us. Now North Korea explodes a nuclear device, and there is evidence Iran is working on one. And so we realize that nuclear capability will--in a year, 5 years or 20 years--be a part of the threat to us.

With this in mind, the 1983 movie "Testament" is definitely worth renting and viewing. It is based on a story by Carol Amen, who said she woke up after having a dream about her family’s response to a nuclear blast, and wrote the first draft before going back to bed.

The film stars Jane Alexander, William Devane, Kevin Costner (young), Rebecca DeMornay (young) and Lukas Haas (very young). There is no quick cutting or special effects. Yet the film feels very real to the experience of a sudden and unexpected explosion and its slow and real effect on an American family and the surrounding community.

The DVD’s special features include a “20 years Later” visit with the director and cast. There are also excerpts from both a recent Homeland Security video on preparing your family for an attack and the 1951 Civil Defense film “Duck and Cover.”