How the hell could the Americans make this mistake?!

[brizzledrizzle]

They announced an incoming missile alert for Hawaii which is in range for North Korean missiles. The mistake wasn't corrected for nearly 20 minutes according to the BBC.

Not that surprised, tobe honest. I heard all sorts of tales of things about the US military - I remember being gobsmacked to hear that some of their ships had 'black' areas and areas where officers weren't safe. This would have been back in the 1980s and 1970s when I was young and fit. I do remember the time when a US ship managed to have an accident during a NATO exercise and put a gun turret round or missile straight into the Turkish flag ship's bridge, killing their admiral amongst others. That did make the papers, unlike the other stories passed along military unofficial communication routes.

@doris, it wasn't the Brits though was it? You've missed the point.

VladmirsPoutine I do know a British person has never made a mistake. Only Americans fuck things up. British people never do

@doris talking of mistakes, which country elected Trump? Britain didn't do a great job at times but at least our PM isn't a senile, misogynistic moron who is showing signs of dementia according to some.

As for Hawaii, the people were obviously terrified. Apparently the alert process was only a one step process 😮

brizzledrizzle The recent history of elections results in the UK show that the country is full of geniuses. Tory government and Brexit are of course fucking brilliant. And no one makes sweeping statements about other countries at all.

I said to DH that I reckon a spy in N.K had got wind of a missle launch happening and passed this on to U.S who then issued the text.

Kim Jong was then persuaded not to hit the button.

Does anyone know if the UK is set up to receive texts like that from our government?

I know the US get state wide texts for missing child, info re wild fires etc. Just wondered if we would ever receive similar.

Seam The UK is not set up to receive similar messages.

Pressed send too soon!
The government are apparently looking into setting something up for terrorist attacks.

Does anyone know if the UK is set up to receive texts like that from our government?

Everyone with a UK mobile number will receive a text message if there is a shortage of tea bags. Or if Eastenders if off air for more then three days in a row

Doris petal, what’s going on?

I really doubt there is a single available “button” with “send statewide this is not a drill emergency alert to all mobiles” written on it. There are likely to be multiple redundancies built into such a warning system, including dual authorisation and prompts to confirm. It won’t just be a big red button or pressing enter on a keypad once by accident. Only once a real threat has been established would such a note ever be sent without a note that it was a test. I smell a rat.

We have a similar alert system in Australia but for when bushfires are close. But hardly the same as a statewide incoming missile warning which is likely to cause great panic itself or even loss of life.

doris - you are posting all the right things x I've heard brits don't have a sense of irony so maybe passing over the heads of other posters...

I'm fucking sick of this shit. Can someone please just "remove" Trump and Kim already? Jesus fucking christ they must be the only two people on the planet who actually want nuclear war. I'll happily donate a few bob towards buying them some Lego instead

reportedly alerts went out on tv too, but the sirens didn't go off.

Doris petal, what’s going on?

What is it that you don't understand about the very apparent reasonable point that Doris is making? The OP incredulously asked how the hell "the Americans" made such a mistake. Do you not think that's a bit of a stupid way of putting it? A bit simplistic, a bit ignorant of complexities, a bit superior in tone?

What does a British person have to feel so superior about, anyway? The election of Trump is equaled if not surpassed by Brexit in the 'stupid, self-defeating electoral decisions driven primarily by xenophobia and racism' stakes.

"How the hell could someone make this mistake?" is one thread. "Let's bash the stupid Americans" is another.

Well I get that I just don’t get their method.

MmmmmmBop I'm glad at least one person understands sarcasm.

Although Hanson were a crap band

As an American I apologise for making this happen.

This is the first I've heard of it, but again, I apologise.

Skowvegas Apology accepted. Could you please now apologise for Twinkies, McDonalds and Budweiser

It’s weird alright. I don’t suppose we will ever know the truth. It mus5 have been terrifying for them. I hope there aren’t too many serious issues arising from it.

Yes, Hanson were crap. It was on the car radio when I set up my account. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Except there hasn't been any American bashing besides the wording of the title. If one were so inclined one could give the op the benefit of the doubt that she meant the American authorities/ military intelligence/Pentagon and not the every individual person of U.S nationality.

Or you can take umbridge and keep posting ever increasingly ridiculous ironic posts about how the British never make mistakes in attempt to make your point whilst simultaneously having nothing to say that demonstrates any empathy for the actual people caught up in this. The op has managed to show empathy - as have all the people who didn't feel the most important thing to discuss was the wording of the title.

But its up to you which is most important.

OP -I suppose your wording was perhaps a little thoughtless (I assume you were too busy thinking about the event, and empathising with the people of Hawaii that you just typed what came into your head) however this thread was the first I heard about it, so thanks for bringing it to my attention.

I can't even imagine what the people in Hawaii must have been feeling. They must be so angry right now (if the trauma and subsequent relief has worn off yet). Such a terrifying scenario.