Get ready for a new round of “Star Wars” stories.
Within the next couple of weeks, the Missile Defense Agency is scheduled to test its national missile defense system, again. If there’s a successful intercept, expect the Bush administration and its backers to talk it up as another sign the system is ready to go. But if they miss, there’s an out: It’s not officially an intercept test, see, so while a hit would be nice, it’s not officially what they’re trying to do. Missing, in other words, is perfectly OK.
Regardless, you can be sure the results will lead to the usual spate of “will Star Wars work?” coverage.
It’s been more than 20 years since Ronald Reagan made his so-called Star Wars speech, kicking off his grandiose plans for a global missile defense shield that came to naught. Yet we still can’t shake the Star Wars moniker for missile defense of any kind, even the shorter-range programs that bear almost no resemblance to the old Strategic Defense Initiative.
Star Wars, the name, most often crops up in attacks on the system, as in here (to use just one recent example), but it still has mainstream media cachet, too. To wit: this Aug. 15 Reuters story.
Missile defense backers have long hated the name, feeling (quite correctly) that it is a derogatory dismissal of the whole premise behind missile defense, or at least the idea that ICBMs can be shot down effectively by other missiles. It’s a science fiction movie; get it?
I also think the name’s insulting. To the Star Wars movies, that is. (And I’m not even a fan.)
Think about it: Star Wars was a smash hit from day one, and remains the most popular movie franchise ever. But Reagan’s SDI vision was roundly decried as too far-out and too costly from the start, and those criticisms proved accurate. And while reviews may be mixed on the current crop of missile defense systems, they haven’t exactly been big hits in testing.
If critics and reporters need a dismissive science fiction movie handle for missile defense, maybe they should try Star Trek. Like SDI, the original Star Trek show had an inauspicious start — canceled in just its third season and seemingly relegated to history. Only a hard-core band of supporters kept the flame alive until movies and, later, new TV shows made it a hit again.
And just like the Trekkies, a group of star warriors kept Reagan’s Star Wars dream alive throughout the administrations of George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Once George W. Bush took over the White House, he brought along with him quite a few of those diehards — Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz and Dick Cheney, to name just three — giving missile defense its best friends in power since Reagan. The next generation, if you will.
And while I don’t want to belabor the analogy — I’ll leave that kind of thing to the Trekkies at The Corner — let’s not forget the nickname Bush’s national security advisers picked for themselves during the 200 campaign: The Vulcans!
– Dan Dupont
p.s. Can’t resist: Go watch this.
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Star Wars: The Next Generation
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>If there’s a successful intercept, expect the Bush administration and its backers to talk it up
>as another sign the system is ready to go.
I’ll bet not, at least in public. Think. If success, what would Russia and China think next. You don’t want to always talk about success that could attract enemy’s eyes. We don’t need to be like French with cheap nationalism, those who consider themselves as Ultra-Power.
Reference
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Bush_Silent_On_BMD_Success.html
I don’t know about that pedestrian, the Bush administration has a demonstrated a penchant for ignoring Russia and China on missile defense issues. I think the main reason Bush has been silent on testing recently is due to the fact that the Ground-based Midcourse hasn’t been tested since for four years. Not surprisingly, that timeframe matches up pretty well with the Spacewar article you cited.
I agree that the U.S. doesn’t need to engage in nationalistic pap like the French do, but that doesn’t mean the Bush administration doesn’t do it anyways. To be fair though, most missile defense advocates in the Bush administration are motivated by a belief that stability based on mutual vulnerability is wrong/immoral, rather than notions of “hyperpower-dom.“
They still have to beat the drums of nationalism after a successful test, but only to attract Congress’s largesse. The United States is already an unassailable superpower to them ayway, acting like Mike Tyson at a weigh-in with Lennox Lewis doesn’t seem necessary.
Do you really think the Bush administration cares about what the Russians and Chinese think? They certainly didn’t when they withdrew us from the 1972 ABM treaty.
Or maybe they did, and that was justification for withdrawl, the only consequence of which could be to spur the arms race. The only remaining question: are we the only ones running?
I am curious to know if in the author’s opinion this article could not be considered a “hit piece” missile defense. My question is based on the title of the article and the following statement the article includes: “I also think the name’s insulting.“
Maybe I am being too harsh
Kelley, just to point out, the United Federation of Planets wasn’t morphing into a representative democracy. To the contrary, one can clearly observe it’s descent into Communism between the original series and the Next Generation. After all, the Federation has eliminated money and property by Picard’s time, the Federation Council is /not/ elected, and Starfleet actively seeks to suppress other cultures from advancement. Hell, Picard didn’t even understand the concept of investments!
Well what else are we suppose to try when N. Korea, Iran, Iraq and other terrorist grouped countries start tossing Necular Bombs our way?
Duck and Run??? Our compassion for others is what makes us the strongest country in the world…
The Clinton Administration cut our Military down to this small amount we have now. He paid High Bonuses to certain Officers and Enlisted Personnel to leave early or forced out after 20 yrs service.
I for one am hoping Star Wars works for your sake as well as the rest of America.
ReCheck your information. We are suffering Militararly because of the Clintons.….
Prior Service Vetern E-5
i think this “star wars” program can work. If you think about how it work in Pres. Reagan administration, the cold war ended sooner than we thought! We plan it out better than the soviet union did and they gave up on theirs. Now when threats from the “Axis of evil” pops up they would want to rethink hard in attacking us. Thus, counter their movement!
We surrender. Not going to fight back anymore. Hey don
I don’t understand the debate. “Star Wars” anti-ballistic technology works. We (and the Soviets) have been testing it since the ‘60s. A XLIM-49A Spartan made it’s first intercept in 1970 as part of the Safeguard Project (1969–1975) and we had a deployed system up to 1975 when Congress shut it down.
If you have the time I would recommend “The Secret Weapons of the Cold War” by Bill Yenne published by Berkey Books and available from Penguin.
On a personal note, it seems odd that an editorial would be pushed as a news story. Maybe I don’t understand the concept of “journalist“
Anyway, yall have a great day.
‘Well what else are we suppose to try when N. Korea, Iran, Iraq and other terrorist grouped countries start tossing Necular Bombs our way?
Duck and Run??? ‘
we throw back much bigger ones until they can throw no more!
Let’s be honest here — Mr. Dupont possesses a very small mind, not his fault, sometimes nature makes a mistake. Mr. Dupont, like most liberals cannot get their collective, pea sized-brains around anything logical or technical, let alone something that is both. Missile Defense is highly technical (strike one for Mr. Dupont), it is also logical — knock down enemy missile’s so as to protect innocent American’s (allow me to belabor the point: terrorist’s don’t care who they kill)- (strike two for Mr. Dupont). So where does that leave Mr. Dupont? It leave’s him in the unenviable position of making a very stupid argument; that it (MD) “won’t” work cause it “doesn’t” work now. (strike three for Mr. Dupont — his arguement is neither technical or logical). Mr. Dupont — you are OUT!
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We could update our syste.Update our missiles but of course our sattelites are most important to keep udated1 a.bauwens
We need to do something to defend us, even if it isn’t perfect. I’d rather have a slim chance of keeping Americans alive than none if someone were to throw an ICBM at us
Any Executive Staff of this Great Country should fully fund Defense Technology always, and our Troops and their families who are sacraficing and serving their Country during War.
I happen to agree with Mr. Dupont, why should we field a system that doesn’t work well? And don’t give me all that bullshit about how since I agree with this ‘pea-sized brain liberal’ as one nameless person called him, that I am acting like the French. I say that if we are going to field any type of weapon system, we had better take the time to make sure that we get it right. I’m not saying make it perfect, I’m just saying make a system with at least a 70% chance of intercepting missiles.
I am a liberal American, I am a Democrat and I loath George Bush (both of them). If you want to give me any intelligent comments then go ahead.
But just how well will it track and intercept a suitcase weapon coming across the border in a bag?
Suit case bombs aren
Kinetic ICBM kills have always been an engineering problem not a technological gap but more accuracy comes with more money. Lasers, as some one has suggested, is not technologically mature enough yet to field in an operational system. The ABL is incredibly large from its power requirements to burn through ICBM skins (with some hardened against such attacks).
What some BMD proponents fail to realize is that we know who is “capable” of launching a ICBM nuclear first strike (China and Russia). Neither of these countries will execute such a plan in the near future for MAD doctrine that managed to endure the Cold War. Let me also state that the current arsenal China has to deliver nuclear munitions to the Contiental US number in the range of 25 or so. Besides that, there is also the Axis of Evil: Iran and North Korea. There is a HUGE difference in developing a nuclear device and developing a nuclear warhead. Neither of these countries has been able to develop a nuclear WARHEAD. What country, then, would launch a nuclear ICBM without “warning”? None. What is stopping a country/organization from selling/delivering a nuclear device for a terrorist to deliver by very unconventional means (semi-truck from Mexico, small vessel in NY harbor, shipping container)? Nothing. There is a need for theater BMD (THEL, Patriot, Arrow) but not a global or national BMD. I would rather have that money spent in comprehensive human intelligence and detection capabilities (which we do not even have for commericial air travel). Yeah it’s awesome we can shoot missiles down but it is not like we don’t know who fired it or when they are going to fire it (North Korea’s ICBM that can reach CONUS takes 2 hours to fuel before launch). Show me a realistic threat assessment that requires a national BMD and I’ll sign on. Until a viable threat and be confidentally projected to need a BMD, spend the money elsewhere and more wisely.
We should field a system that hopefully will work initially, and can be improved over time, to prevent the “liberal American democrat Bush loather” and the rest of us simple minded ignorant conservatives being turned into glass. You Bush haters need to get a grip on reality and focus your attention on the very real threats, nuclear and otherwise that would have all of us dead…even liberals and ACLU attorneys
Try turning your obstuctionist behavior and snobbish attitude into creativity to defend all of us, and YOU become the hero that figures out how to defend against a suitcase bomb. Should be no problem, since you are obviously much smarter than the general population.
“We should field a system that hopefully will work initially, and can be improved over time“
So just start righting checks for $53 billion and hope something works? just build missiles and hope for the best? if demanding accountabuility for how my tax money is spent on my defense, then i guess i am liberal. there is more to life than liberals and conservatives. if you manage to break free from only seeing a dichotomy then maybe you will be taken more seriously.
“YOU become the hero that figures out how to defend against a suitcase bomb.“
Easy: just buy it before someone else does. I just saved us billions upon billions of dollars. human intelligence will pay more dividends with regards to non-state terrorist organizations than any technologically advanced defense system. it would have saved us even more than the BMD’s cost if someone checked their facts before OIF. why is it unacceptable to demand my government know what is being shipped to my country? why is it unacceptable to demand my government competently screen commericial air passengers in a timely manner? Why when i am footing the bill?
Tell me then what is the real threat? an ICBM attack? you are missing a nuclear warhead and reliable ICBMs. Formulate a coherent response without degrading into name calling and we might be able to discuss something without a “snobberish” attitude. You provide no details on what you say is “the very real threat”. What “they” are you referring to? Terrorists in general? Iran? China?
Don’t reduce everything to black and white because thats not reality either.
So, we can’t build antimissle systems because our enemies might use suitcase nukes?
This is just stupid.
Suitcase nukes are extremely easy to detect.
In fact, ALL entry points into the US are equipped with nuclear isotope detectors. It is simply a matter of building a better fence to prevent unauthorized individuals (Illegal Immigrants?) from entering this country.
The cost for such a wall are about the same as the missle defense system.
I vote for doing both.
The nuclear detectors being used will find suitcase nukes, even if they constitute a 1 cubic foot space within a 50 foot by 50 foot by 50 foot cube of solid lead.
http://www.berkeleynucleonics.com/
Oh, and MAD only works if the enemy doesn’t care about dying.
Funny, we got a few of those out there.
last time i checked it was damn near impossible to fit a nuke in a suitcase so we really don’t have to worry about it… think i saw it happen in a hollywoodised movie once? but yeah, basically to get plutonium in the ammount needed to start a reaction, you’re gonna have to find one huge suitcase. i’m just glad the government actually pulled through one of its projects this decade after seeing so many important defense investments like the comanche get shot down just before production started…
“as for the suitcase bombs, there are not nuclear but atomic suitcase bombs” last time i checked nuclear and atomic implied the same thing… and i want to see these “suitcase bombs” because i still have a hard time believing you can fit a nuke in a box. everyone knows our borders suck and i do think we should really crack down on um, but after the billions of dollars and 20 years it took to develop the 4 batteries that are arleady in place, whats the purpose in dumping this missile system in which we already worked our butts of to build? i don’t care if missiles aren’t raining down,it doesn’t mean one WON’T, and since it’s already built and seems to work I say why not use it? it’s like spending 20 years of your life saving up for a brand new Mustang, buying it, and then taking it to the scrapyard because in the end you don’t have the need for speed any more. think of this as a multibillion dollar Mustang… and you wanna throw it away just cuz it doesn’t apply to your immediate needs? stupid. besides, i know a few countries who would probably be interested in buying a missile intercept system *caugh israel caugh*
I believe BMD research needs to be persued but the funds spent on it need to be balanced with the more immediate needs of our national defense and what we are trying to acomplish in the most dangerous part of the world, bringing more stability to the middle east, if possible.
Another point to consider, no one would even have a home computer, CD player, or access to an internet if wasn’t for the tremendous military spending during the cold war. Military advancements since world war II have always lead and spured new advancements not only technologically, but other venues of our daily lives we take for granted. So in my humble opinion the technology needs to be researched by us first, or someone else will leaving us behind the curve on the next unexpected dicodomy to move the world, undermining our leadership in the world. Who knows it could lead to hand held “ray guns”, meteor defense system, new power generation technology, or cars that can drive themselves in 20 years. That’s one of the wonderful (and dangerous) things about researching new technologies.
On a side note others have touched upon here, M.A.D. can work against the terrorist I believe, but not as most people view the philosophy. We know who the terrorist are after their attacks, it vital to their movement. And how much money their families get after such an attack, a vital recuitment tool. If we let all future terrorist know in no uncertain terms, if they proceed with an attack we will send a surgical strike team to their home and kill every member of their immediate family in response, they will think twice. Now I know most sheep are saying this is crazy, unjust, and horrific. I agree, but after a few times of following thru on this course of action the terrorist groups recruitment levels should plumment and they will have no choice but to change their tactics. Suicide bombers may not care about their own lives, but they do about their families. God and family, it is the basis of the twisted teachings of the cults that infect Islam. By the way let’s call them cults, they are no different than Jim Jones or David Koresh. The words “fundalmentalist or extremist” gives them too much cedibility in my opinion.
If the Christian faith was forced to be as uneducated as the muslem faith is we would have the same problem as the middle east. Oh wait, my bad we did, we call it the “Dark Ages”. Well, that’s my opinion, I could be wrong.
To the guy who keeps pushing the idea that no one has a ballistic delivery system married to a bomb. I
Dan, Regarding your “so called” article on “Star Wars” missile defense. Your disrespectful remark embedded story was a pour read. The advent of the missile defense system by President Ronald Reagan was a far sighted inspired move. These type of technologies do not just “POP” into existance overnight without extensive research and development, which we are engaged in. Admitedly, much time has passed since the beginning but you decry failure when in fact one step, even a baby step, in the direction of a successful strategic defense system is yards ahead of the enemy. The program is not an insult to “Star Wars” but rather a testiment of American fortitude and inginuity. Can you do better , sir ? I think not. You are probably one who thinks that we do not have an enemy threat out there in the world capable of bringing the battle to our shores. What a moron. How is it that they allow such a pansy to write for the Military.com website, you display no confident American traits ?
They aren’t Vulcans. They’re a bunch of Klingons and Ferengi.
And contiinuing to attempt to build a system that continues to NOT work is stupid on the face of it, and is NOT a sign of perseverance or fortitude. Especially when the ONLY country left on the planet who conceivabley even might launch ICMB’s at the US is China, and that is nearly as likely as that they will simultaneously release all their political enemies from prison, and that is slim to NONE.
Too many people can only see the immediate future and not the long term field of view. In today’s world we have to be one step ahead of our enemies. The events of 9–11 was the results of their being one step ahead of us. In comparison, I would rather prevent my auto accident death by wearing my seat belt. If implimenting a Star Wars Defense system is putting on a seat belt, then boys.….strap me in. I want to live to see the terrorists demise and not become the ravaged pieces of war in their victory. Remember when we were kids and we could go blocks away from home in the neighborhood all alone without fear? Those days, sadly, are gone. Now as Americans in foreign lands we have to fear for our safety do to terrorists. Were on the edge of fearing for our lives in this land we call home. By not following through with the Star Wars defense system, it will be like leaving the back door to our home open. I don’t know about you, but when I go to bed at night, the back door gets locked shut. Since a missile attack comes through the night lit skies, our back door needs a lock on it with the Star Wars Defense System. Believe me, we’ll all sleep better with that kind of lock on the back door of our homeland. Let’s beat them at their own game.
We have to continue to put every reasonable resource to work on an interceptor system to protect us and civilization.
MY COMMENT IS THIS HAVE NO FEAR THERE WILL BE A SAVING LIGHT SABER PIERCING THE SKY AND FRYING THE INNARDS OF FOREIGN BALLISTICS LAUNCHED AT THE US AND ALLIES. THE BOEING 747 PLATFORMED ABL(ANTI-BALLIISTIC LASER) FROM THE REPORTS I’VE READ ALBEIT ON THE BOEING WEBSITE AS WELL AS SOME OTHER MIL-TEC SITES SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT THE FIVE (5) AIRBORNE UNITS ARE PERFORMING WELL… GUESS SOME OF WHAT WE READ MAY JUST BE SLIGHT OF HAND..i.e PAY FULL ATTENTION TO THE FAILED SYSTEM BEFORE YOU AND PLEASE PAY NOATTENTION TO AND FORGET ABOUT THE BIG BAD MOBILE DEFENSIVE/OFFENSIVE DEPLOYED LASER ORBITING BEYOND THE REACH OF YOUR RADAR…
What you guys need is not SDI — the current enemy doesn’t use ICBMs. They sneak around the globe until they find a soft spot, sneak in under your very noses and — in the worst case — assemble their dirty bomb just where it’s supposed to blow up.
That kind of opponent needs a top class intelligence service (well funded and trained) to be met with.
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Thanks in advance. Kalman.
I am from Norway and now teach English, give true I wrote the following sentence: “”