Written By: Richard Falk, David Krieger and Robert Laney

Dear fellow citizens:

We are in the midst of hotly-contested campaigns to determine the nominees in the 2016 presidential election, yet none of the candidates have voiced concern about the nuclear dangers we face. This reflects the underlying denial and complacency that disconnects the American people from the risks of using nuclear weapons in the years ahead.

A nuclear war between the United States and Russia could destroy civilization in a single afternoon and send temperatures on Earth plummeting, catalyzing a new ice age. Such a war could destroy most complex life on the planet.

Despite the gravity of such threats, they are being ignored, which is morally reprehensible and politically irresponsible. The media has failed to challenge the candidates on nuclear weapons during the debates and has ignored the issue in their coverage. We must put these issues back on the radar screen of public awareness.

It’s appalling that none of the candidates have yet put forward any plans to end current threats of nuclear annihilation, no one has challenged the planned expenditure of $1 trillion to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal and no one has made a point about the U.S. being in breach of its nuclear disarmament obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

As the Utah Primary draws near, we ask that you question the candidates about their views on these issues so that their positions become part of the media coverage. In this way, the citizens of Utah can make informed decisions when choosing their next Presidential nominees.

The authors are affiliated with the Santa Barbara-based Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.

Richard Falk

David Krieger

Robert Laney