Posted on 02/16/2007 11:03:08 AM PST by lizol
PAC3's will still take them down. The THEL is a lightspeed laser weapon. Doesn't matter where it flies, it will die.
You must be incredibly naive if you think we'd just sit back and let a power-hungry dictator like Chavez not be subject to our nuclear deterrent. Much to the disdain of the America-hating left, the US military *actively* maintains our ability to stop nutjobs from threatening us. Whether this means invasions or simply making it clear that you'll be turned into cinders if you cross us, all options must remain open. We don't sit back and let dictators defeat our systems. I'd almost consider you a troll for suggesting that we'd ignore the threat.
In case you're not familiar with *why* short and midrange ballistic missiles are often better able to defeat such systems, by the way, it's because there's a shorter time between launch and impact -- less time to react. Also, they're cheaper, meaning you can make more of them (even if you don't fit them with CBW warheads, they're still distractions to a missile defense system). MIRV them, and even the best system will have trouble.
Yet you apparently think it's OK for them to deploy ballistic missiles in response to our deployment of defensive ABM systems.
"In case you're not familiar with *why* short and midrange ballistic missiles are often better able to defeat such systems..."
Why is it necessary to defeat an ABM system? It's like saying the Nazis should have invaded France because the French built the Maginot line. Building a defense is hardly a reason for deploying offensive weapons or military aggression. Do you think Iran is developing nukes for use in a defensive system?
The ABMs don't initiate an attack, they prevent one from suceeding. The fact our self-proclaimed adversaries build offensive systems in response to our defensive systems belies their character and intent. Iran has been attacking the West for 25 years using terrorists. Now that they have ballistic missiles and are developing nukes it's only reasonable that we deploy a defensive system to protect us. They're the ones with a consistent record of attacking the West. We're the ones who have a consistent record of responding.
Stick around.
Of course it's reasonable that we (and Israel) would deploy an ABM system when our adversaries build (or already possess missiles. It's pretty obvious to almost everyone except the Dems in congress that you keep America safe by using the latest technology to defend it.
What you seem to not be getting, and I'm not sure why, is that this doesn't just go in one direction. If someone builds missiles, of course you build an ABM that can counter them. But if someone builds an ABM that can counter your missiles, *you build more or better missiles that can counter their ABM*. If you don't, they're in a position of strength, and you're in a position of weakness. If Venezuela had some super-good ABM system and didn't have to worry about American cruise missiles and nuclear weapons, do you think they'd hesitate to, say, shut off the oil tap to us, or perhaps even attack our ships? They know that the American people would be a lot more hesitant about starting another "war in the jungle".
It's America's ability to project power that keeps us safe. The mere threat of being able to wreak utter havoc on your foes with little cost to you means that you have to fight fewer wars. It's like gun ownership. A robber is less likely to rob a house if he knows the owner has a pistol at his bedside. If the robbers start using bulletproof vests that can withstand a pistol shot, the gun owner better upgrade to an AK-47.
Of course, then the Dems step in and take that Ak-47 away.... I guess they'd be the UN in this stretched analogy...
You got to remember that it has been a very, very long time since the Soviets won a major battle or war. They are about as bad as the french in the victory category.
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