Military / Defense

**Papasito** · September-17-09, 10:48 AM

We have the technology to protect our country against nuclear attack.
It is the primary job of the United States Government to protect the American people, yet......

U.S. abandons missile shield in Europe
http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCan...7/idUSLH510988

...and why?

Russia saw it as a threat to its missile defenses and its overall security.

So, Obama, the great communicator, could not work things out with Russia...
The same Russia that invaded Georgia not too long ago, the same Russia that killed millions of their own people http://markhumphrys.com/soviet.html .

Today our nation's leaders chose not to protect us, even with nuclear weapons in the hands of rogue nations like North Korea, Iran, and others....

**elganned** · September-17-09, 11:00 AM

So answer me this: How are you less safe now than you were, say, 10 years ago when we didn't have the technology you're talking about?

Iran is a worry, yes, but they don't have either weapons or delivery capability--yet. And North Korea is on the wrong side of the world for this "missile shield" to affect them, plus they also don't have delivery capability--yet.

And what are the other "rogue nations" you refer to? China? Israel? India? Pakistan? Are you suggesting the Pakistanis are going to launch on us tomorrow?

**Detroitej72** · September-17-09, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by Papasito

Today our nation's leaders chose not to protect us, even with nuclear weapons in the hands of rogue nations like North Korea, Iran, and others....

That's today's lesson in right wing propaganda. Tune in for tomorrow's lesson on how Obama hates kittens and puppies.

**gazhekwe** · September-17-09, 07:45 PM

The reason the missile shield idea is out for now is because the long range missile threat has not materialized and defense can be achieved with shorter range missiles in less sensitive areas, per Robert Gates, who proposed the thing in the first place.

**Detroitej72** · September-17-09, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by gazhekwe

The reason the missile shield idea is out for now is because the long range missile threat has not materialized and defense can be achieved with shorter range missiles in less sensitive areas, per Robert Gates, who proposed the thing in the first place.

Good point.

Besides, can anyone tell me how this would have made us safe from a 9/11 style attack?

**gibran** · September-17-09, 07:53 PM

...guess Obama doesn't have the investments in antagonizing the world that Bush did.

**oladub** · September-18-09, 12:14 AM

I talked to a guy from Ossetia who claimed that most Ossetians spoke Russian and were oriented towards Russia rather than Georgia. It was Stalin, he said, who carved off a large part of Ossetia and made it part of Georgia to divide the Ossetians. Why did George Bush butt in and humiliate the US which was already militarily stretched too thin. The Russians rolled in and asked, "so what are you going to do about it?"

Europe is wealthy enough to protect itself from Russian or Iranian missiles if it chooses to do so. Polish based missiles don't do much to protect the US but have done a huge amount to destroy our relationship with Russia. Missiles in Poland aren't the answer.If anyone wants to worry about something, try this.

Is another 9/11 set to unfold?

**Gistok** · September-18-09, 02:00 AM

Originally Posted by oladub

I talked to a guy from Ossetia who claimed that most Ossetians spoke Russian and were oriented towards Russia rather than Georgia. It was Stalin, he said, who carved off a large part of Ossetia and made it part of Georgia to divide the Ossetians. Why did George Bush butt in and humiliate the US which was already militarily stretched too thin. The Russians rolled in and asked, "so what are you going to do about it?"

Europe is wealthy enough to protect itself from Russian or Iranian missiles if it chooses to do so. Polish based missiles don't do much to protect the US but have done a huge amount to destroy our relationship with Russia. Missiles in Poland aren't the answer.If anyone wants to worry about something, try this.

Is another 9/11 set to unfold?

Oladub [[and I don't say this very often

) I have to agree with you!

If we have anything to worry about it's not the Iranians... it's the North Koreans. Alaska and possibly Hawaii are within range of their long range missiles.

**ejames01** · September-18-09, 05:42 AM

Multibillion dollar contracts are at stake in the future of U.S. missile defense plans.

Boeing Co [[BA.N), the Pentagon's No.2 contractor, last month unveiled a proposal to build a mobile interceptor missile in a bid to blunt Russian fears of U.S. fixed sites in Europe. Boeing was also eyeing a 47,500-pound interceptor that could be flown to NATO bases as needed

**rb336** · September-18-09, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

Oladub [[and I don't say this very often

) I have to agree with you!

If we have anything to worry about it's not the Iranians... it's the North Koreans. Alaska and possibly Hawaii are within range of their long range missiles.

North Korean missiles couldn't hit the ocean if it weren't for gravity

**jiminnm** · September-18-09, 10:26 AM

Perhaps this story from 6 months ago is an explanation.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/firs...operates-iran/

Even though it pisses off one of our strongest allies in Europe.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009...jects-clinton/

**Det_ard** · September-18-09, 12:41 PM

Changing the missile defense plan probably makes sense but there'd better be a quid pro quo with Russia, as Jiminnm's first article discusses. Even if the change in missile basing makes sense for us it's a benefit to Russia and with those bastards you're foolish if you give anything away for free. No "good will" gestures are necessary for scumbags like Russia, Iran, N. Korea and China. They understand and respect only hard-nosed negotiation.

I'm waiting to hear about some unofficial Russian help vis-a-vis Iran that would make this whole thing more palatable. It better be forthcoming.

**gibran** · September-18-09, 01:30 PM

I heard today Russia is scaling back the rhetoric and deployment of some missiles [[as a direct response to Obama's gesture) and the result is a thaw in the frosty relations as late..

Let's see Obama and his work to date with our world citizens:

a. dismantle an antagonistic missile system: result Russian scaling down their rhetoric and missile placement.
b. Actually hitting Al Qaeda in Somalia and Pakistan....
c. Holding Israel Accountable [[sort of) to stop settlement [[illegal ones and not falling for the "natural growth lies: when the greatest number of settlers are coming from Russia)
d. Not bending over for "fellow" [[false labeling) socialist in South America.
e. Pushing Dialog between India and Pakistan
f. dealing with pirates in the Indian Ocean...

pretty darn good for a weak inexperienced socialist from Chicago

**rb336** · September-18-09, 02:04 PM

The missile defense shield was nothing but a sop to the MIC. a huge waste of taxpayer dollars.

forget what the damn PM of Poland says, the people there [[and in the Czech Rep.) were, and are, solidly against it

http://www.huliq.com/27512/poland-pr...defense-system

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL26811020070526

**gibran** · September-18-09, 02:37 PM

I know [[heard this on NPR)...funny we actually have a leader whose vision is not rooted in hubris

**Detroitej72** · September-18-09, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by rb336

The missile defense shield was nothing but a sop to the MIC. a huge waste of taxpayer dollars.

Which is why the tea bagger's, talking heads on Fox News, and the comedians on AM radio have joined the cheers that our president has stopped a program that was a drain on our economy.

All of America is elated that the White House has cut wasteful government spending on an archaic system that would never stop a 9/11 style attack.............................

Yeah right, now back to reality!!!

ccbatson · September-18-09, 04:19 PM

Missile threats have not materialized? North Korea, Iran and Syria are actively developing the capabilities RIGHT now.

**Detroitej72** · September-18-09, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by ccbatson

Missile threats have not materialized? North Korea, Iran and Syria are actively developing the capabilities RIGHT now.

And we can successfully intercept and down any of their missiles with our current weaponry.

ccbatson · September-18-09, 04:45 PM

Yep, however we need to have installations closer to the site of origin. Which Obama just cancelled.

**elganned** · September-18-09, 04:52 PM

Obama cancelled a land based system which the Sec. of Defense--who proposed the land-based system in the first place--has deemed not effective and plans to replace it with a sea-based system.

So the Pacific is not close to the site of origin of anything coming out of Korea? And the Mediterranean isn't close to the site of anything coming from Iran or Syria?

Stretch your horizons, CC. Land isn't the only place missles can be placed, and we pretty much own the oceans. Or do you think you are more conversant with military threats than the Sec. of Defense?

ccbatson · September-18-09, 04:54 PM

Depends on the targets, and hardened installations are far superior to sea based for reliability.

**elganned** · September-18-09, 05:10 PM

So you do consider yourself better versed in military policy than the Sec. of Defense...interesting.

**Bobl** · September-18-09, 08:09 PM

I agree with the poster, who stated:
"...Obama cancelled a land based system which the Sec. of Defense--who proposed the land-based system in the first place--has deemed not effective and plans to replace it with a sea-based system..."
It is hard to understand the depths of the mistrust of President Obama. He has already kept the U.S. free of attacks for a week longer than the former president. He has brought a renewed respect for us from people in other countries. He has only served for nine months. Let him be judged in the years to come, based on his performance. Stop the prejudging, which is, of course, a definition of prejudice.