-Caveat Lector- -----Original Message----- From: A.C. Szul <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Granted, there are folks who believe an SDI-type defense will _not_ >work. But arguing that it's not worth spending the money on something >that _may_ not work is certainly not a valid reason against developing >the technological means to defend the U.S. against a possible missile >attack from Russia or China or any other rogue state that decides to >test America's [or its allies'] will. You've got it backwards - it's up to those proposing spending tens of billions of tax dollars on an anti-missile system to provide VERY convincing evidence that it CAN work against realistic threats. The very fact that the 'shield' is a leaky sieve, penetrable by anybody with a lo-tech delivery system, argues strongly AGAINST this system. National will is MUCH more simply 'tested' by NBC weapons in trucks or ships than on missiles. Focusing a defense ONLY against the very highest-tech threats is dimwitted, a waste of tax dollars. To decide how a defense should be structured, you first have to ask: What are the possible, credible threats? What vulnerabilities can be exploited? Where will an opponent get the most bang for their buck, do the most decisive damage with the least expenditure of resources? In other words: what weak points are worth being attacked, and by who, using what? What's the best match of weapon against target, for what gain? What kinds of attacks can we most confidently expect? Ballistic missiles are good for long range targets, but with the US's transport infrastructure, almost EVERY good target [except hardened ICBM silos] is within range of a surface-hauled warhead. So a Star Wars system could only realistically defend JUST those ICBM silos, NOT the US in toto - and an opponent who stealthily attacks civil targets won't need to neutralize those ICBMs, so your Star Wars systems just sits there, worthless. So why do you want to spend all that money? DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
