There has been an expectation that the administration will shortly declare that the missile defense system is operational and on alert. Military officials said they know of no specific plans for such an announcement.
Such an announcement would have political and strategic value for the administration.
To those who believe it will work, activating the system would fulfill a pledge by President Bush to have an operational missile defense system by the end of 2004. Such an announcement would also have greater value if it came before the Nov. 2 elections.
Bush has promoted the system while campaigning for re-election.
"We want to continue to perfect this system, so we say to those tyrants who believe they can blackmail America and the free world: You fire; we're going to shoot it down," he said during a stop at Ridley Park, Pa., on Aug. 17.
Arizona Daily Star articleSuch an announcement would have political and strategic value for the administration.
To those who believe it will work, activating the system would fulfill a pledge by President Bush to have an operational missile defense system by the end of 2004. Such an announcement would also have greater value if it came before the Nov. 2 elections.
Bush has promoted the system while campaigning for re-election.
"We want to continue to perfect this system, so we say to those tyrants who believe they can blackmail America and the free world: You fire; we're going to shoot it down," he said during a stop at Ridley Park, Pa., on Aug. 17.
For the love of Pete. That earlier "Bring 'em on", immediately answered by the incredible disaster with which we are now struggling, and therefore seemingly provoking it, apparently didn't affect the man's penchant for ignorant bravado. Then again, if you want perpetual war, I suppose these puerile challenges are just the ticket - particularly when your own military says your backup isn't exactly proven. (We have a saying here in Missouri about the ability of your penny ass to cover your ten-dollar mouth. It's probably a saying in Texas, too.)
Critics of the system, such as Philip Coyle, the Pentagon's former chief of testing, say Bush is wrong.
"Of course we don't have any capability to do that," he said. "For the president to sort of dare them (to fire missiles) is really misleading and even reckless."
...Many of the doubts about the system, initially designed to protect the United States from an ICBM attack from North Korea and other possible threats in the western Pacific, arise from problems during high-profile tests.
In testing, which critics deride as highly scripted, the interceptors have gone five-for-eight when launched at target missiles.
Two tests scheduled for this year have been delayed because of recently discovered technical problems.
..."In terms of political symbolism, the bottom line is that President Bush has met his commitment of four years ago to deploy an operational defense of the nation," said Loren Thompson, a military analyst at the Lexington Institute think tank in Washington.
"In terms of operational realities, it is a very rudimentary system that requires much further testing and could not stop a substantial attack against the nation," Thompson said.
"Of course we don't have any capability to do that," he said. "For the president to sort of dare them (to fire missiles) is really misleading and even reckless."
...Many of the doubts about the system, initially designed to protect the United States from an ICBM attack from North Korea and other possible threats in the western Pacific, arise from problems during high-profile tests.
In testing, which critics deride as highly scripted, the interceptors have gone five-for-eight when launched at target missiles.
Two tests scheduled for this year have been delayed because of recently discovered technical problems.
..."In terms of political symbolism, the bottom line is that President Bush has met his commitment of four years ago to deploy an operational defense of the nation," said Loren Thompson, a military analyst at the Lexington Institute think tank in Washington.
"In terms of operational realities, it is a very rudimentary system that requires much further testing and could not stop a substantial attack against the nation," Thompson said.
...but hey, say what you want...you will anyway.
No comments:
Post a Comment