by Oui
Sun Nov 23rd, 2025 at 09:05:18 AM EST
During the Cold War, the Dutch had an active civil defence corps of volunteers ... a suggestion for the coming hot war with Russia?
Heritage of Cold War - Bescherming Burgerbevolking (BB)
The Civil Protection [Bescherming Burgerbevolking (BB)] organization was established in 1952 as a voluntary rescue service. Surrounding European countries adopted a similar measure during the Cold War. The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) is investigating which distinctive or important BB heritage can be preserved.
Compulsory Volunteers
In the Netherlands, the goal was to use 200,000 volunteers (men and women) to prepare citizens for the next war. The Netherlands specifically wanted the BB to be non-military, so it had to appear as an independent volunteer organization, unrelated to the armed forces or the government. Ultimately, the number of volunteers was not reached, and in July 1958, it was decided that everyone who qualified for the "Brother Service" scheme and those who were declared unfit for military service were required to join the BB.
Built BB Heritage
The BB was administered by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, but had its own national command post in Utrecht. Due to the increased threat of a nuclear attack, the ABC service (Atomic, Biological and Chemical Service) was established in 1958. In 1964-65, 300 permanent measuring points, the S-posts, were established, which were more or less operational. The BB measuring team could shelter in small shelters. Based on these measurements, the power and location of a nuclear explosion could be determined. These S-posts were used by the government (Ministry of the Interior) to gather information about the surrounding area at the local level. Within the framework of the Cold War heritage designation list, the RCE is investigating which distinctive or important BB heritage can be preserved.
An Impossible Mission
Was the population misled? Given the reactions to the "Wenken" (Notes), that's doubtful. Citizens saw through the contradiction in the argument that the BB could do anything if a Third World War were to break out. After all, the deterrent strategy states: Because a Third World War is devastating, it won't happen. The message of the BB was: a Third World War might happen, and it won't be devastating.
Coming soon in a personal letter from your Government ...
Why does it feel like we're being dragged into a war and is there anything that can be done about it? | De Volkskrant |
Preparation
The caretaker government is asking you, through this booklet, to carefully consider the impact of a disaster. Thinking about the first 72 hours of the disaster is generally sufficient. If it hasn't been resolved after that, we all have, to use popular phrases, a completely different problem. Your children can also start thinking about the disaster. This way, they can get used to the idea. If this booklet frightens you or them, don't worry, the opposite is intended.
[...]
One of my very best …
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Stephen F. Hayes's new biography Cheney: The Untold Story of America's Most Powerful and Controversial Vice President recounts a discussion in 1980 at the American Enterprise Institute between two new congressmen, Dick Cheney and Newt Gingrich.
"Congress has been a big part of the problem," declared Cheney, a veteran of the Ford administration. "A fundamental problem has been the extent to which we have restrained presidential authority over the last several years. ... We have been concerned with the so-called myth of the imperial presidency.
"We must restore some balance" between Congress and the White House, Cheney insisted.
Gingrich vehemently disagreed.
[History will bear witness Separation of Powers will falter as both arms of the Union will become far-right extremist, gained traction by 9/11 attacks. After Trump 1.0 nominations, SCOTUS joined the extremists]
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Archive diaries ...
Nuclear Armageddon In A Blink of the Eye | 7 Oct 2022 |
Corporate media playing the propaganda game ...
SOS Central - I am well prepared, are You?
Today's motto ...
"... war and military preparedness is good for economic growth ... the New Generation of complete BS." Mindfulnless
