Posted on 06/20/2006 7:44:04 AM PDT by Momaw Nadon
Rising tensions over North Korea's plans to test a long-range missile have spurred renewed interest in developing a system to protect the United States from a ballistic missile attack.
On Monday, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned the North that it would face consequences if it launched a missile, calling it a "very serious matter."
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan today joined the chorus of criticism, saying, "I hope that the leaders of North Korea will listen to and hear what the world is saying. We are all worried."
U.S. officials have said the missile, believed to be a Taepodong 2, has a firing range of 9,300 miles and could reach as far as the West Coast. Most analysts, however, say North Korea is still a long way from perfecting technology that would make the missile accurate and capable of carrying a nuclear payload.
For some, the threat reinforces the need for a viable missile defense system in the United States.
President Bush announced plans four years ago to build a system. At the time, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said even some protection would be better than nothing.
"We do not have a missile defense capability," Rumsfeld said. "The United States cannot defend itself, currently, against ballistic missiles coming from anywhere — from the sea or from another continent — wherever."
Today there are at least 11 ground-based interceptor missiles in Alaska and California and plans in the works for sea-based interceptors, but it is still an experimental program dependent on complex technology.
Time to Cut Spending or Boost It?
Missile defense is the biggest single item in the defense budget. So far, the government has spent $90 billion on "kinetic kill vehicles," which are designed to intercept and destroy a missile in midair.
In 11 tests, the interceptors succeeded only about half the time. A government report this spring said the program "falls short," and was over budget.
The high price tag and mixed results have fueled criticism of the program.
"With all the money spent and all the testing and all the tries, we have no idea if the system will work," said John Isaacs of the Council for a Livable World.
Others say the government should be spending much more on the program, however.
"It's a question of quality here," said Brian Kennedy of the Claremont Ballistic Missile Defense Project. "We believe that the president is very well intentioned when it comes to missile defense. It's just that we're just not putting the resources toward it quickly enough."
Oh...STFU up Annan.
Our opponents have no idea if the system would work but, are they willing to lose their lives to find out? That's part of the beauty of BMD. Russia knows they could overwhelm us but pipsqueak Mr. Ronrey can't be sure his one or two would get through. His threats aren't credible.
"In 11 tests, the interceptors succeeded only about half the time. A government report this spring said the program "falls short," and was over budget."
"half the time..."
Well at first yes, but the trend is good. Also, if we believe we bat .500, then fire 2 interceptors at one missile. no problemo.
The stuff works, whiner-- get over it.
I think the USA should do a "live test" with the shield using the North Korean launch as a test bird.
Now if you looked like little Elvis and nobody took you serious what do you do , build a missle and aim it at the USA. You know, sometimes I just wish we would accidently fall on the button of our missles aimed their way. But the ol USA will sit him down and say whatsa matter little fella,I just love that dept of state we have.One more thing he has one how many do we have aiming back!
FNC just announced the US anti-ballistic missile defense has gone live in response to the pending NK test. I cannot find anything else on the web about it, yet.
Drudge has something on it...
Thanks
What exactly does that mean?
susie
It also means KJI might be trying to pick a fight.
It's kind of interesting that no one seems to be talking much about this. I don't remember the Cuban Missile Crisis (we lived in Japan at the time, and while I'm sure my parents knew, I guess they didn't talk about it to us kids). But, I know from talking to other people that many folks were really freaked out. Nowadays, people seem very sanguine about this stuff.
susie
I would hate to think the little Stalinist bastard is picking up where Iran left off.
It's kind of sad, in a way. Some people are a little too dismissive of a person like Kim Jong-il. They see a bizzare looking little man making outrageous statements and write him off as a kook. They can question his motives and sanity, if they wish, but it's dangerous to ignore his real capabilities. We saw what a handful of deranged men with box cutters can do. People scoff at someone like KJI and his arsenal at their peril.
This week would be a very good week to bring up additional funding for the missile defense system.
I would love to see who votes against it.
Well, we'll see what happens. I guess you're right, people just think he's a crazy....but he's a crazy with nuke capabilities...
susie
BUMP!
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