How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Most of the communications went out pretty soon. [...] All we know is that the command came down to quite junior officers, in most countries." (3.73)
The first round of bombing that struck capital cities left most political and military leaders dead, which foisted responsibility onto dudes who weren't ready to get into the pressure cooker. This ultimately made the conflict even worse—and led to untold devastation.
Quote #8
The scientist said, "I should think you'd have tried to negotiate."
"With an enemy knocking hell out of the United States and killing our people? When I still had weapons in my hands?" (3.81)
After all, how would you feel if everyone you've ever known and loved was killed in the blink of an eye? Oh, yeah—and you also happen to be standing in front of a button that would instantly kill everyone responsible? Pretty tempting, right? We're not quite sure what we'd do in this situation, but we're pretty sure we'd be thinking emotionally, not logically.
Quote #9
"But don't go blaming the Russians. It wasn't the big countries that set off this thing. It was the little ones, the Irresponsibles." (3.82)
Once again, the novel suggests that one real issue with nuclear weaponry is how easily and inexpensively it can be acquired by small countries. We can't argue with that, but we wouldn't complain if there were no nuclear bombs, period.