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From: amra@ihuxj.UUCP (Steven L. Aldrich)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Ronald Rayguns Strikes Again
Message-ID: <326@ihuxj.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 15-Dec-83 18:41:14 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxj.326
Posted: Thu Dec 15 18:41:14 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 17-Dec-83 02:08:30 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, Il
Lines: 87


    I read three stories in the Dec. 12,83 Chicago Sun-Times that might
   be worth discussing. One concerned the testing,later this month,of
   the FIRST U.S. anti-satellite weapon system. The second was on the
   deployment of SHOULDER LAUNCHED S.A.M. MISSILES around the White House.
   The third article covered PENTAGON CONCERNS over the breakup of A.T.&T.

    The story on A-SAT testingg stated that the weapon in question would
   be launched from an F-15 at 80,000 ft. It would then climb into space
    to impact with its target at 30,000 mph. The two stage missile has heat
    seeking capabilities and small thrusters in the nose cone to guide it
    to its intended target. It is scheduled for deployment in 1987. This
    is just the FIRST system to be deployed in Reagan's current STAR WARS
    defense program.

     According to the story Reagan will likely approve an R & D effort
    in this area that may cost $5-7 BILLION (yes BILLION) over 5 years.
    The TOTAL COST of the STAR WARS programs could reach a cost of $500
    BILLION. The R&D program is aimed at DEVELOPING LASER,PARTICLE BEAM,
    and OTHER HIGH ENERGY WEAPONS to destroy Soviet NUCLEAR WEAPONS and
    /or SATELLITES.

     According to the ever popular UN-NAMED WHITE HOUSE SOURCE, Reagan
    is committed (WHAT A LOVELY THOUGHT) to development of these weapons.
    the source also states," WE'RE NOT SO AFRAID THEY (U.S.S.R.) WILL
    DEPLOY EXOTIC DEVICES SOON THAT WILL BE EFFECTIVE. MAYBE WE'LL SEE A
    SPACE BASED LASER SYSTEM,IN A FEW YEARS, THAT WILL BE MINIMUMLLY
    CAPABLE OF DISABLING SATELLITES",he said,"BUT,IT WOULD BE FAR FROM
    CAPABLE OF DESTROYING NUCLEAR WEAPONS".

     When are the U.S. & U.S.S.R going to realize that militarizing(sp?)
    space is not going to ease tensions on Earth. A program of JOINT
    development of PEACEFULL uses of space resources might accomplish
    this however. By developing the VAST RESOURCES on the MOON,ASTERIODS,
    etc., we MIGHT begin to RESOLVE our GEO-POLITICAL problems without
    ARMING OURSELVES TO THE TEETH. Both countries could reap untold
    benfits; we must begin seeking and developing ways to PEACFULLY
    CO-EXIST with the U.S.S.R BEFORE it's too late. This may be a good
    first step towards achieving that goal.

     Now on to the deployment of SAM missiles around the White House.
    These SAM's are shoulder launched and would be under the control
    of the Secret Service. They are being deployed,supposedly, to
    defend the President from airial bombing by some crazed terrorist
    on a Kamakazi(sp?) mission. According to the article, security 
    officers would have LESS THAN ONE MINUTE to decide to FIRE on a
    plane,from the National Airport, if it deviated suspicialy from
    its course.

     This is the latest round if ever increasing protection of the
    President from terrorism. Over the Thanksgiving weekend the White
    House was blocked off and surrounded by trucks filled with sand
    to prevent any CRAZED FIEND from driving a vehicle filled with
    explosives into the White House. Since then, concrete barriers
    have been installed to replace the trucks. All but two entrances
    to the White House Gate have been sealed off. A twisting maze of
    concrete barriers MUST be traversed to gain access at the two
    entrance points still in operation.

     Two questions came to mind when I read these stories. Firstly,
    if they can DEFEND RONNIE (RAYGUNS) REAGAN FROM TRUCK BOMBS,
    why do they claim there is NO DEFENCE AGAINST SIMILIAR ACTS IN 
    LEBANON? Secondly,is this a rel threat,(remember the LIBBYIAN
    HIT SQUAD??), or is Ronnie R. over-emphasising the possibilites
    of these types of attacks?

     The story on the Pentagon raised some interesting,(scarry),points
    about communications problems faced by the MILITARY AGENCIES who have
    control over our STRATEGIC and CONVENTIONAL forces. According to the
    article, the defense/military services utilize the BELL SYSTEM for
    up to 95% of their communications needs. This includes the Washington
    /Moscow HOTLINE, S.A.C., & NORAD (North American Aerospace Defence
    Command). According to the story,S.A.C. relies TOTALLY on COMMERCIAL
    TELE-COMMUNICATIONS RESOURSES fro its communication with the bomber
    and missile forces under its control. With the BREAK-UP of the Bell
    System,on Jan. 01,1984, Pentagon officials ARE CONCERNEDWITH THE CHAOS
    THAT COULD RESULT IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATTION. Not to mention the
    added costs ($1.3 BILLION) and delays involved with the INSTALLATION
    and MAINTENANCE of COMMUNICATION LINKS. Not to worry though, they
    have formed a committie ,of company representitves and govt. officials,
    to resolve any difficulties in a NATIONAL EMERGENCY.

     Anyone wishing to comment on the above issues can either POST to this
    newsgroup or send me mail. (IHNP4!IHUXJ!AMRA)

                         PEACE & BEST WISHES
                       From the ever curious mind of:
                        Steve Aldrich (ihnp4!ihuxj!amra)