Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

angrychair

(12,205 posts)
Sun Mar 15, 2026, 07:18 PM Yesterday

Let's Nuke it!

Instead of fighting over a 21 mile bottleneck forever, we cut a new channel through friendly territory. A dozen thermonuclear detentions and you've got a waterway wider than the Panama Canal, deeper than the Suez, and safe from Iranian attacks. - Written by Newt Gingrich on Twitter


I cannot even express how completely insane this is and how it makes absolutely no sense at all.
I mean are these these the radiation free nukes I have heard nothing about? Do nuclear devices only explode in straight, predictable lines now?

I mean I'm absolutely not an expert, not a civil engineer but this seems like a very bad idea.

Reference:

Not great

Molly Jong-Fast (@mollyjongfast.bsky.social) 2026-03-15T22:17:00.201Z
14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

Aussie105

(7,851 posts)
2. Bonus!
Sun Mar 15, 2026, 07:23 PM
Yesterday

All the ships and the products that come down that new channel will glow in the dark!

Did Newt actually say that?

If he did, is he having a Senior Moment?

He is 82, which may put him in the Donald Trump Twilight Zone.

angrychair

(12,205 posts)
5. It was originally committed on
Sun Mar 15, 2026, 07:32 PM
Yesterday

By someone else and then by Molly. I don't have a Twitter account anymore so I am not sure about that. No major news services are carrying it but I posted it because Molly Jong-Fast responded to it so assuming it's legit.

dalton99a

(93,910 posts)
3. Dr Gingrich forgot to mention an important benefit: Free radiation treatment for cancer patients in the area.
Sun Mar 15, 2026, 07:26 PM
Yesterday

100% free, and fast. Kills everything

malaise

(295,482 posts)
6. Turns out that everything we have said and thought about these racist
Sun Mar 15, 2026, 07:42 PM
Yesterday

monsters who have not one shred of decency, humanity or willingness to adhere to the rule of law at home or international law underestimated the actual depth of their levels of depravity.
But they all love their Jebus. What utter farce.

Jerry2144

(3,260 posts)
11. We tested doing that in the 60s
Sun Mar 15, 2026, 08:35 PM
Yesterday

Sedan Crater in Nevada was to create a new harbor in milliseconds. Another test did a series of shots to dig a channel. They work. The dirt got moved. Radiation levels would be next to nothing once it floods with water. Just don’t eat the seafood there. And don’t build beachfront property and live there

muriel_volestrangler

(106,090 posts)
14. Planet-brain Gingrich read a satirical post, and thought it was a real suggestion
Mon Mar 16, 2026, 12:18 PM
10 hrs ago
Readers added some potentially sobering context:

**This proposal originates from a satirical article published the same day, presented as a humorous open letter with a disclaimer that its views “do not necessarily represent those of anyone with brain cells.” No such nuclear-excavated canal exists.** chinatalk.media/p/its-time

https://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2026/03/newt-gingrich-and-the-party-of-ideas

There are some hilarious follow-ups to Newt's tweet - this is my favourite:

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Let's Nuke it!