Missile Defense -- Who needs it?

[allthumbs]

Tactically, the countries that have the capability to hit us (e.g., Russia, China, etc.) have enough missiles with enough multiple warheads to get past a defensive missile shield (remember, only a handful of missiles need to get through and these countries have several times more missles than we would have defensive missiles).

 

The "renegade" countries with nuke missile technology cannot deliver on ICBM's. So, they would have to deliver a nuke by low-tech (e.g., plane, ship, truck).

 

Thus, I cannot see the tactical advantage of a missile shield.

 

But, I think there are 2 main "unspoken" reasons why our gov wants 'em:

 

1 - Plain and simply, intimidation. We will have something they (THEM) do not, another ace-in-the-hole, "We've out-teched your sorry butts and there's nothing you can do about it - WE RULE! Fear us, you Commie bastards!"

 

2 - I think there's a more nefarious side to all this. I strongly suspect the so-called "Missile Shield" will also have other capabilities (including "first strike") our gov will not disclose. I think there's going to be a way to tie in the Missile Shield with a satellite, computer-controlled, targeting system that will have the ability to precisely deliver nuke and non-nuke missiles any where we choose. Buried among all the $$$ being spent on this project will be increased surveillance and targeting capabilities. This Missile Shield will be the ONE SYSTEM to finally pull it all together.

 

But, heck - what do I know?

 

trask

[Jim]

And shovels of cash to some some well-heeled industries. Why do folks yelp so much when money is wasted on the low end of the scale (health and human services) but not when billions are involved for the military? I'm for a strong military to protect us, but this is one big boondoggle.

[mattp]

I have also read that it is thought complimentary with the Rumsfeld doctrine of complete dominance over both friends and foes alike. As you put it, we will have something they don't and this may be intended to threaten our friends in Europe just as much as it is intended to threaten our not-so-friends in other parts of the world.

[Greg_W]

My personal opinion is that we have fewer friends in Europe than we think. Besides, they all talk funny.

[Dr_Flash_Amazing]

Speak for yourself, whitey. What're you, some kind of racist? You making fun of DFA's heritage, that it?

 

 

And hey Trask, don't forget raison trois, i.e. boo-coo moolah in the pockets of Bell, McDonnell-Douglas, Raytheon, Lockheed-Martin, et. al. The pigs are certainly lining up at the trough as we speak!

Edited December 18, 2002 by Dr_Flash_Amazing

[glen]

 

Some interesting facts on military spending

 

So, is it larger because we have one of the largest economies in the world, becasue we need it, or some other reason?

[ScottP]

My personal opinion is that we have fewer friends in Europe than we think. Besides, they all talk funny.

 

4.5 percent of the worlds population (the US) uses 25% of the oil resources and about one-third of all the raw materials consumed each year. Think of it: less than 1/15th of the population of the world requires about five times its "fair share" to maintain its inflated position.... there's bound to be some hard feelings.

[Greg_W]

Fuck you DFA. I said nothing racist. I piss on your family tree - too bad there's no branches. Bwahahaha

[iain]

Don't they realize the real weapon of choice for total dominance? Infiltrate Iraq and install satellite television, broadcasting american tv 24/7. Works in other countries trying to keep their traditional ways, just look at Bhutan. Cable television, man, it's all about cable. You'll be installing McDonalds on the Tigris in no time flat...or are they already there?

[Dru]

They need Icarus giant laser mirror, like in the James Bond film.

[iain]

are you referring to "Diamonds are Forever" where they sent all those diamonds up into space for some reason? Forgot the details, thank goodness

[allthumbs]

How about an EM pulse from another country? No casualties except for our beloved modern day convieninces (electricty, electronic gadgets, microwaves, televisions, computers, internet, cars, etc.).

 

I could see how this might be a serious threat, something that a terrorist might strive for. It would cause economic disruption on an unimaginable scale. North Korea could easily have US by the shorthairs. How does the US retaliate for this type of attack?? No one was killed, and reciprocating with the same kind of attack on a country that is still in the stone age as compared to the US would not achieve anything politcally or militarily for us. I think this is a big issue, and a big reason to have an ABM system that works.

[iain]

wouldn't the missile system also be disabled? Wasn't this also a James Bond screenplay?

[allthumbs]

I'm not a scientist, I can't answer that...but I bet jb & mtn goat will be happy to bore you with speculation.

[iain]

nice! I dropped a star after that last post. Cheers folks!

[allthumbs]

you're finally one of us

 

stars are for geeks

[Dru]

Die Another Day

[iain]

is that the one with that hot french girl from braveheart, but was perhaps the worst bond film ever? (which is up against some pretty stiff competition)

[Dru]

No its the current one with Halle Berry shaking her tits in a bikini, and a whole lot of CGI "stunts".

[iain]

Nice work Leonard Malkin

[MntnrMichael]

EMP's (Electro Magnetic Pulse) are still very experimental. The test bed is a portable and it has a range of only about 30ft. It is possible to shield against EMP's, Air force One is shielded. Did any one see the movie "Escape from LA," part of the story line was about EMP's.

[iain]

hmm...any wagers on how much effect a polar reversal will have on society? there will be a couple of confused orienteers to say the least I would think.

[allthumbs]

Isn't this a bizarre time we're going through? I pray every night for a decent world for my kids. It's looking sketchy at best.

[Dr_Flash_Amazing]

Ha ha, just ribbing you, jerknutz. It was a joke, see? Bein' that we're mostly all of European descent and all ...

 

Ah, forget it. Another choice nugget of sophisticated humor squandered on a republican.

[Dr_Flash_Amazing]

As the Descendents said, "everything sucks today." True indeed, fellows.