NMD?

[romulusnr]

What is DU's opinion on NMD? I am generally for it; I would much prefer that we spend money on real defense rather than preemptive offense (aka invasion and occupation) or homeland security (aka induction of fear through random denial of freedom). Defending the country is an eminently honorable goal; after all it is called the Department of Defense not the Department of Blowing Everyone Up.

Now I am not entirely naive, and understand that NMD seems to have some theoretical international consequences... although as far as I can tell those are based on very antiquated Cold War principles i.e. that missile defense breaks the balance of Mutually Assured Destruction... But seriously Russia is not going to nuke us, those days are gone, and those people that might consider nuking us aren't worth the trouble of using nukes against.

In my mind an NMD strategy would be coupled with a WMD stockpile drawdown. An adequate drawdown ought to counter balance any fears that an effective NMD would stoke.

I understand that O is against NMD and I suppose it is for the reason stated above. But... defense is the whole point of the existence of nation states! If states don't have the right to their own defense then I suppose there is no point to having states. And I am not obsessed with the importance or necessity of states, but as long as we're going to have them, shouldn't they at least be able to serve their purpose?

[slackmaster]

1. WTF is NMD?

TIA

[Orrex]

3. New Mexico's Doilies

It's well-known that Obama can't stand Santa Fe lace, and I for one don't blame him.

[annabanana]

4. National Missile Defense

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Missile_Defense

[annabanana]

2. What, "Star Wars"?

I have no problem with the concept, but the execution is problematic, and the expense is daunting.

[NMDemDist2]

5. I have no idea what "NMD" means n/t

[Bob Dobbs]

6. It doesn't work. No missle has ever been shot down.

It is another cynical redistribution of the wealth to the war profiteers.

[Orrex]

7. In fairness to the system, it works very well on paper.

Of course, that paper is highly classified and has only ever been seen by wargasming GOP loyalists.

[romulusnr]

9. But in a sense

it converts swords into... well, shields. It doesn't make profit off of killing people, but off the opposite. If we're gonna have profit, better that it be made from saving people rather than killing them, eh?

[Bob Dobbs]

12. Read my lips, THE TECHNOLOGY IS A FRAUD, IT DOES NOT WORK.

It is theft of billions of tax dollars. Another power elite scam to fleece the willfully ignorant rubes.

[tannybogus]

8. NMD is another way to waste a brazillion dollars.

I have doubts about how effective it would be overall. It would give a false sense of security.

In addition, I can guarantee you the cost will be at least double of whatever it is someone is

saying. If some money isn't put back into this country in the way of infrastructure repairs, job

training for the new century and other things, we will be a 3rd world country in a lot of places.

I'm tired of bullshit weapons. There is going to be nothing left to protect.:rant:

[Kitty Herder]

10. Agreed.

It's a boondoggle.

[romulusnr]

11. theoretically

an NMD system would be engineered and manufactured domestically, which means domestic economy and jobs.

At least I hope our military's equipment to date has been domestically designed and manufactured, or at least by a strong ally.

[Bob Dobbs]

13. Theoretically, IT IS FRAUDULENT.

Spend the billions on developing renewable energy and the many more sustainable jobs that would produce in perpetuity.

JEEEEZ! NMD is a power elite, military information complex RIP OFF.

[tannybogus]

14. And I'm tired of everyone saying we will have more jobs

everytime a new weapon is brought up. We spend so much damn money on defense now,

everybody in the US should have a job by now. That's just horseshit flung to try

to get a wapon built.