But it is. A first strike policy is mindless,

Except I just explained how it isn't in context of the argument Harris is making.

Harris isn't fantasizing, and he admits the insanity of his argument. I don't agree with him 100% on all things, but I do believe in honest debate about what game theory dictates, given certain assumptions about the disposition of an enemy with long range nuclear weapons.

I don't know what you're advocating. Just surrender when someone threatens to destroy population centers? How would you talk down the religious fanatic holding a knife to your love one? Would you try to reason with him, or would you shoot him like a dog? Christian, Muslim, Baha'i, Pastafarian?

We have experienced one cold war. Maybe it's possible to avoid another one, with a crazier enemy. I know what the crazies are capable of. I know how sure they are of their beliefs. I don't know what it would take to convince you.

Perhaps due to your background, you don't know this, but there are plenty of Christian groups out there who do acknowledge that the old testament is barbaric, that preach tolerance and social justice

There are. And like every other Christian sect they are choosing to ignore parts of scripture and focus on others. My upbringing focused on hellfire, sin, the iniquities of man (And especially women) and our overwhelming need for an all knowing, all powerful, all loving creator God who was active in our lives to save us from our well deserved damnation. All Christians are eating from the same buffet. (Mormons get an extra salad bar or something) The ones that you are citing are choosing the healthy options. Many choose not to, and their fear and self-righteousness is used to fuel a lot of evil in this world.

Feel free to say something about it, but I would rather have Harris and people like him in charge than the people who are his most vocal opponents.