Correct, as of today that is. In 10-20 years or less, both will be a problem.

We will always have to worry about the suitcase bombs but missile defense could negate the problem of a freighter parked a 100 miles off shore lobbing nukes at us. When the threat become real we need to be ready.

As to the effect of the 10KT bomb, how will public sentiment be when that happens. Will anyone give a damn about enemy civilian casualties? How long do you think it will take us to decide who the enemy is and how carefull will we be in making that decision. We will unleash hell on anyone remotely suspected and who would blame us.

Our response has been as measured as it gets. It only gets worse if they escalate to this level.

Those who publically criticize the prosecution of this war are enemies of the state. They should use their easy access to the executive branch to privately question to their heart's content but this is no time to air our political laundry in public.