SDI vs Star Wars
Can America's Missile Defense Handle North Korea?
Now, don't we all wish we had listened to President Reagan when we had the chance? Face it, good or bad the man had vision. And like has happened to this country over and over and over and over....(you get my point). We surface from one global crisis or a war unscathed, or at least semi-unscathed, and become complacent.
"Hey the war is over! We won! Time to down size that anachronism we call the military. We don't need them anymore."
Ten or 15 years later we find ourselves scrambling to catch up to the times. Yes, the SDI project has been plagued with tons of over runs and a 50/50 grade in it's testing. But how much of that was due to the concept being flawed vs political infighting, under-funding, and the general letting down of our collective guard? Most citizens and politicians don't take SDI seriously. Because of this the contractors involved have slackened their products and efforts thinking no one would notice. For the most, part they have been right. Now here comes Kim Jong-IL with a new missile capable of carrying a warhead to San Diego and possibly beyond. Suddenly we're all asking, "Where the hell is SDI?"
Defense of our nation is a full-time effort. It requires 24/7 dedication of not just our armed forces but also of the private sector, the public, and those politicians who like to call themselves "our leaders".
This country grew into what it is partly through a strength that caused others to respect and often fear treading on us. If we don't' maintain that edge situations that lead up to 9/11 are just going to keep coming our way. The bin Laden's of the world see us as a large bear with great power, but afraid of our own power. Scared by our own morality to swing and hit when the situation warrants it. This will be our undoing.
Now, don't we all wish we had listened to President Reagan when we had the chance? Face it, good or bad the man had vision. And like has happened to this country over and over and over and over....(you get my point). We surface from one global crisis or a war unscathed, or at least semi-unscathed, and become complacent.
"Hey the war is over! We won! Time to down size that anachronism we call the military. We don't need them anymore."
Ten or 15 years later we find ourselves scrambling to catch up to the times. Yes, the SDI project has been plagued with tons of over runs and a 50/50 grade in it's testing. But how much of that was due to the concept being flawed vs political infighting, under-funding, and the general letting down of our collective guard? Most citizens and politicians don't take SDI seriously. Because of this the contractors involved have slackened their products and efforts thinking no one would notice. For the most, part they have been right. Now here comes Kim Jong-IL with a new missile capable of carrying a warhead to San Diego and possibly beyond. Suddenly we're all asking, "Where the hell is SDI?"
Defense of our nation is a full-time effort. It requires 24/7 dedication of not just our armed forces but also of the private sector, the public, and those politicians who like to call themselves "our leaders".
This country grew into what it is partly through a strength that caused others to respect and often fear treading on us. If we don't' maintain that edge situations that lead up to 9/11 are just going to keep coming our way. The bin Laden's of the world see us as a large bear with great power, but afraid of our own power. Scared by our own morality to swing and hit when the situation warrants it. This will be our undoing.
posted by Vasco | 4:44 AM
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