Bush approves missile defense

Washington Times ^ | 12/17/02 | Bill Gertz

[kattracks]

President Bush has decided to begin deploying by 2004 a nationwide defense system against ballistic missiles, The Washington Times has learned.

Mr. Bush is expected to announce the decision today, with Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and other defense officials then describing the details of the deployment plan.

[Badger1]

I watched a video at work today about one of the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL) tests. The laser acquired and shot down two incoming rocket propelled artillery shells (155 mm) from an unknown vector at an unknown time. This is just the first generation of these types of weapons, and other technology is in the pipeline as well.

Missile defense is coming and it will work. Pay no head to what the naysayers in the media (who know nothing about engineering) say.

[Lion's Cub]

I don't doubt that it will work. I just suspect that it's too late. (Not that we shouldn't try to get it deployed as quickly as possible, anyway.)

[Cobra64]

It also fulfills a presidential campaign promise Mr. Bush made in May 2000.

Even if you disagree with W, (which I seldom do) he keeps his flippin' promises!

[Cobra64]

American missile-defense plans have been criticized by Russia and China, most recently at a meeting earlier this month between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

And W is supposed to care?

W's playing hardball, just as Ronnie did. He's scaring the sh!t out of the agressors (Axis of Evil) and keeping the rest of the boarder-line "friends" in line.

W is definitely following the right course of Ronnie's military 'strategery'.

Unfortunately, Reagan had to ran up deficits as a result of Jimmah Carter's running down the military. W is in the same boat due to Bubbah's same mentality in running down our military, thus leading to military weakness and real risk of aggressor nations seeking to overthrow the country.

[WatchNKorea]

Great news! With North Korea now using the Clinton light water nuclear reactors to make more nuclear bombs - Bush hurried on this. (In light of N. Korea's statements last week, I now wonder if any delusional Democrats will still be voicing their opposition!)

[Badger1]

I don't doubt that it will work. I just suspect that it's too late

So far, the North Koreans do not have a missile capable of reaching the US. The Chinese, Russians, French and British do, but only the Chinese are imminent threats. We can have a missile defense in place before the North Koreans develop a missile capable of reaching the US.

My biggest concern is not missiles, but nukes smuggled into the US and planted in our cities.

But I agree with you that we should try to get a missile defense deployed as soon as possible anyway.

[LdSentinal]

My biggest concern is not missiles, but nukes smuggled into the US and planted in our cities.

Which is why we're going into Iraq, so those nukes and catastrophic weapons won't be smuggled into the United States by Al-qaida. But tell that to "60 Minutes."

[ConservativeLawyer]

begin deploying by 2004

This is great news. And all the naysayers said we don't have the technology and it would take decades before we could implement it.

Makes you wonder if the same is true of all those who say it would take decades before we could drill for oil in ANWR.

[MeekOneGOP]

Mr. Bush is expected to announce the decision today, with Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and other defense officials then describing the details of the deployment plan.

The decision comes a year after the United States withdrew from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty to allow more effective research and development of a system to shoot down long-range and short-range missiles. It also fulfills a presidential campaign promise Mr. Bush made in May 2000.

Thank, my FRiend !! Good article.

[firewalk]

Bttt

[katana]

It needs to be made clear to any and all concerned that a nuclear detonation on American soil will result in our "disarmament" of all countries the bomb could have come from. Of course, such disarmament would require depopulation by multiple megaton airbursts over their cities, but so be it. Let them be worried for a change.

[OldFriend]

And all those who continue to demand an explanation as to why we were unprepared for Pearl Harbor, and of course, the attack on 9/11 will be shrieking that the money ought to be spent on 'programs for the poor'.

Thank g-d we have a president who will do the right thing to protect this country despite the ignorant america haters of every stripe here and abroad.

[cake_crumb]

"Missile defense is coming and it will work."

Indeed it is and yes it will.

[hchutch]

FYI.

This is very good news, IMO. Ten interceptors. We've got to get the airborne laser up and running, and get some other systems as soon as possible.

[goldilucky]

From post 1: The system will provide the United States with a limited defense against long-range missile threats, primarily those posed by rogue states. Recent missile tests and U.S. intelligence reports have pinpointed North Korea, Iran and Iraq as the likeliest nations to pose such a threat.

Don't forget, Rumsfield, that it was your advisor committees who provided the money and missle technology to those same rogue states posing a threat to the U.S. And of course, the U.S. has a limited defense. We gave our missle techology away to those rogue states. As much as I am suspicious about Col. Lunev's position in exposing what the enemy states have against us, we have much to blame for dealing with them in the first place.

[RightWhale]

Let the debates about Trent Lott continue elswhere. We have an ABM system to install with radars all over the globe. Who wants in on the system? England, Russia, any body with something worth defending?

[Poohbah]

Don't forget, Rumsfield, that it was your advisor committees who provided the money and missle technology to those same rogue states posing a threat to the U.S.

Specifics of Rumsfeld's involvement in providing money and missile technology to rogue states, please.

[txrangerette]

Agree!

Now, let's hear from those who say
Bush, Gore, Clinton, Repubs & Dems
are "all exactly the same".

Eh?...

[OldFriend]

For now Rumsfeld is all that is standing between certain politicians wanting to give Tenet more power and Rumsfeld tring to wrest the safety of our nation away from that low life loser.