What do you all think about the U.S backing out of the ABM treaty? Do you think it matters to world security? Is it wrong for the U.S to have technology that can protect it's citizens from a ballistic missile and not implement the technology because of a 30 year old treaty? Is it wrong for us to have that technology period?

Well, the effects might be another cold war, where countries "compete" in building better and better missile protections, for better and better missiles..
And besides, that treaty does exist for a reason ;)

I don't think any country can be faulted for building completely defensive measures. Might as well say building a wall and stationing troops at the border is wrong too.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Sir ReGiN:
Well, the effects might be another cold war, where countries "compete" in building better and better missile protections, for better and better missiles..
And besides, that treaty does exist for a reason ;) <hr></blockquote>

Personally I don't see another arms race happening. Russia doesn't have the capital to spend on building new missiles. They don't even have the capital to pay their soldiers, for christ sake. China might,
but I bet the generals in charge of China would rather spend the money on factories and such. The only peple that will build new weapons of mass destruction are "wanna bes" like Iraq, Iran and North Korea. None of which will ever be a super power.

Ballistic missles are bad for world.
Military spending is good for economy.
<font color=green>$$$</font>
<font color=green>$$$</font>
<font color=green>$$$</font>

I thought the treaty was absurd when I first heard of it 30 years ago and I think it's absurd today. What kind of twisted liberal thinking comes up with the idea we would be safer without any defense?

i agree blackraven (woohoo, a fellow oregonian) unfortunately, blackraven and i live in the most liberal state in America!! but to say that building ANTI-Ballistic missle DEFENSES is wrong,that is obserd!!!(spelling)
thats like saying, "no, our military doesnt need weapons, let them hug the enemy, and shake his hand." i agree that war sux. however, there will NEVER, EVER, be peace throughout the world, the middle east will make sure of that. so to say NOT to build weapons, or defenses for said weapons.........that is dumb!!!!

[img]graemlins/ninja.gif[/img]

Well, it seems that most of us Americans are for it. I personally have nothing wrong with my government initiating measures to help ensure my safety. What do you Europeans think? Would your answer be the same if your country had a device to safeguard against ballistic missiles?

hmm BG and world politics, i dont see the connection..........?
but since someone mistakenly started this thread here instead of an international news forum, i may as well add on.

absurd things about missle defence:
an icbm is an unlikely threat

more likely is chemical /biological/or "dirty" radiation leaking bomb... none of which need a missle to deliver, only suitcases and devoted individuals who hate america...

i dont think a missle defense shield can stop suit case smuggling unless someone goes to all the effort of duct taping a suitcase to an icbm...very unlikely

so why spend billions possibly a trillion bucks on something that will not protect us from the REAL dangers?

our only hope is to eliminate the real threat:

isolation

it means recognizing that our life and wellbeing is connected to the wellbeing of other peoples
it means reforming our economies to benefit all the peoples of the world so that no part
of humankind suffers from isolation or oppression.
It means recognizing that we are one Human family and must not neglect
any members.
It means examining our concepts, beliefs, insitutions, and behaviours to see if they have a uniting or isolating effect.....

I think the missile defense will ultimatly prove a complete waste of time. Money no, because what we develop can be used in other ways. But if someone wants to use a nuke whats to stop them from putting it on a freighter and sail it legally into any US harbor? Nothing thats what. No ABM treaty will stop that, and its not worth pissing off the rest of the world over it. Any nation who actually launched a nuclear missile at us or anyone else would be a)vilified by every counrty in the world, b) become a target of every country in the world. So in effect its useless