From: utzoo!decvax!decwrl!sun!megatest!fortune!hpda!hplabs!hao!seismo!harpo!eagle!mhtsa!alice!rabbit!jj
Newsgroups: net.space
Title: Re: ABM-Star Wars
Article-I.D.: rabbit.1359
Posted: Thu Apr 21 20:15:31 1983
Received: Fri Apr 29 01:31:37 1983
References: <1348@rabbit.UUCP>


	Well, I'm a bit annoyed by this arguement, even though
I agree completely with the thoughts about being held hostage
by world leaders. (The elected ones worry me the least, by the
way, it's the ones that have nothing at all to lose that bother me.)

	So, what am I disgusted about???

	Several people have, quite jeeringly, and with little justification
apparaant, pointed out that the "Star Wars" defense plan is totally unworkable,
ridiculous, stupid, hopless, etc.  While I don't make any technical arguements
about the current plans, or even have any technical knowlege of them,
(which is the same state my opponents occupy, it seems to me) I am
reminded of a few other "unworkable" technical plans, such
as a national phone system (which, it was argued in the 1930's, could
never exist, since it would "consume" 35% of the population as operators),
electric power (which was just FAR too expensive),  space travel
(There's nothing to PUSH against.), and so on.
	While I don't particularly like weapons, I like the idea of covering
my own with a shield a lot better than that of covering theirs with plutonium.
I am really annoyed at the utterly defeatest reaction of
"It won't work!, It just can't!" and the jeering attitude that
comes along with it.  I've read the same articles that most other
people have, and I can't see any fundamental limits, just some huge technical
ones.  Technical limits, as the phone system, computers, automobiles,
and bumblebees show, have a way of disappearing in good time.

In the future, I request that authors who feel the systems are impossible
show us their reasoning, complete with a PROOF that a physical law is
being VIOLATED.  I do not accept engineering or technical difficulties
as proof.  Just consider the results of convincing Bell, Edison, Gottard,
Columbus, and Fermi that their particular quest was "impractical."

I think it's about time that we considered our defense, rather than our
offense.  If they (generic "they", please) can't hit us, then
we're not threatened.  If we aren't threatened, then I doubt very much
that we will remain so utterly paranoid.

	"Give peace a chance"
<and yes, I know that that's a misquote.>
rabbit!<don't bother, I use raid on my mailbox>jj