Originally posted by patweb
The problems with missile defense.
1. That the system MUST be 100% reliable. Mistakes=cratered cities, just like missile command.
If 40% of the missles are hit, that means (potentially) 40% fewer casualties. Therefore, like baseball, a bad average is still better than none at all.
2. That is MUST be continuously developed. By the time that we get ONE battery up, there will be cloaking, weasel, chaff and other counter measures as cheap additions to current missile technology.
We already ("we" being all countries with an army, etc) continually update & upgrade technology
3. That we MUST be prepared to sustain a war based economy to back up and fund the OTHER systems needed to support a good missile defense system. Mainly the conventional and nuclear forces. The reason is that once we get a solid missile defense, we cannot allow a conventional means to overcome it.
Ronald Reagan(whom I despise) said (and EVERYBODY failed to hear) once the Star Wars initiative is in place, we GIVE the technology to EVERYBODY-thus eliminating the need & usefulness of nukes. America has never been invaded because of an armed populace & distance to any real threat.
The end result of our refusal to maintain the ABM treaty is the unabashed proliferation of missile and warhead technology that we SHARE with the Russians and Chinese now (some above the table, most under the table).
the ABM treaty was with a government that no longer exists, thus we can't break it
There is NO way that putting up a missile shield will increase national security or peace of mind, both of which it is intended to do. Nat'l Security is enhanced, PoM-YOU ARE CORRECT
The very nations that it is intended to 'defend' against DO NOT HAVE MISSILES CAPABLE OF REACHING US ANYWAY.
I'm not scared of Nations-I'm scared of Rogue leaders & rebels with nothing to lose ie Ossama(?)BinLaden
The whole idea is bogus and smacks at a 'New World Order', which is either new or ordered.
