Warfare Engineering Station. An entire freeway system has been constructed to service these linked installations. As a concept, Trident seems evil, overpowering, dangerous. Yet in its As a concept, Trident seems evil, overpowering, dangerous. Yet in its midst one feels what Hannah Arendt described as "the banality o f evil." Death made plastic. midst one feels what Hannah Arendt described as “ the banality of evil.” Death made plastic. I arrive at the Bangor gate, drive to the admission building, and wait for 15 minutes to gain clearance. Everything is spanking new and shiny. The attendants, all women, talk of their dates and mates. I finally make the right connection, fill out an endless admission form, and drive less than 500 yards onto the base, to a beautifully landscaped parking lot and the Administration Building. XII Lt. Commander John Woodhouse shortly will be transferred to the Pentagon. - A schematic of that eminent building winks from his office wall. In his current job as a public information officer at Bangor, The Ground Zero Dojo, after it was reduced to ashes by unknown arsons he’s the military version of “ a nice guy,” full of statistics, quotables and explanations. “ The base employs 3200 military and 4000 civilians, mostly connected to Pan Am World Services. You’re dealing with a large, reputable firm. It’s a $35 million contract, 5 years with 4 one year options.” He then goes into intricate detail on all the different “ classes” of subs, adding that when the Ohio came into service, two Polaris subs were rendered nonnuclear. That is, they became tactical or attack subs, not strategic. In doing so, he says the U.S. is living up to the expired Salt I treaty, which requires the number of submarine born missiles to remain the same, despite the change in number or type of vessel carrying them. John is happy to have been at Bangor, located in “ a beautiful part of the country.” Relationships with the community are “ outstanding, just incredible. We have a close and smooth running relationship between the military and the community. They’re wonderfully receptive and tremendously supportive. People who live here try to make this a home for a little while. I’m active in a square dance club. I’m president of a Lions group.” He proudly mentions that “ the big celebration in Kitsap County is Armed Forces Week.” He is also proud of the years of planning and thought that went into Bangor’s construction. “ Initially the concerns about the base were environmental. An incredible amount of environmental care has been put into the construction of the base. The piers are situated 400 feet offshore to protect the fingerling salmon which run there. We’ve improved the environment over what it was 10 years ago.” I ask about the Trident protests. “We recognize the right to protest, to demonstrate. The Navy exists to protect that right, if done in a lawful manner. We’re concerned if they break federal laws. “We perceive the demonstrators as former anti-Vietnam guys looking for a new target. I can’t say where they come from. They’re not Kitsap County residents. They come from Canada, Seattle, California and Olympia . . . There have been two sizable demonstrations at Bangor, one in 1978, with 4000-6000 demonstrators and over 200 arrests, a second in October, '79, 2000-4000 people, 120 arrests.” “ Any weapon can be called a first strike weapon, it all depends on context. We are here to protect the country, we threaten no one.” XIII It is dusk on this last day of my investigation when I reach Gerald Partain, the minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, in Poulsbo. 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