Embarrassment.

This is coolbert:

The international terrorist OBTAINING A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION in the form of the dirty bomb "high explosives coated with radioactive material" and the threat as posed  is alleviated to a degree after reading this article from Strategy Page

"The Embarrassing Secret Of Dirty Bombs"

"For decades politicians and mass media have relied on the threat of dirty bombs (high explosives coated with radioactive material) to scare people. This was mostly about money as the politicians wanted more cash for their favorite counter-terror programs and the media needs attention to sell advertising. But now more people are asking why this ideal weapon for terrorists, made from widely available materials has not yet been used at all, anywhere."

. . . .

IT SEEMS TO BE THAT THE DIRTY BOMB IF AND WHEN ACTUALLY USE WOULD BE FAR LESS EFFECTIVE THAN WHAT IS PERCEIVED! FAR LESS!! THE ENTIRE CONCEPT REPRESENTS ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS A MUCH GREATLY EXAGGERATED THREAT!

. . . .

A mitigation of public fears in advance however WILL go a long way?

"However, to deal with public fears over dirty bombs, there is a case to be made about being more forthright in explaining exactly what they are, what they can do and how the cleanup will proceed."

And YES, I am embarrassed. I too thought that the dirty bomb as understood would have been the terrorist weapon of mass destruction of choice, that danger most acute!

coolbert.