noel@cubsvax.UUCP (08/18/83)
Some reasons for NOT building MX: 1) cost: nearly $15 billion over the next five years could be better spent or saved. 2) sitting ducks: 10 accurate warheads in fixed, vulnerable Minuteman silo are very attractive targets. 3) destabilizing: 10 highly accurate warheads capable of silo-busting threaten our adversaries with devastating first strike. 4) escalation: U.S. ahead with this level of accuracy and "counterforce" "nuclear war-fighting" capability. 5) move toward launch-on-warning: as a result of 2) and 3) above, MX will push both U.S. and U.S.S.R. towards hair-trigger (computer-activated?) launch mode. The argument which my Representative gave FOR MX was that we need it as a bargaining chip. Do people see this as persuasive? Do you think Reagan and Co. really want to reach arms control agreements? I welcome discussion with anyone who thinks we should buy MX. If you don't want your money spent on MX, how about telling your elected officials so? The House and Senate will be voting this fall on $2.5 billion for building the first 27 MX's. What do people think of the Cohen-Nunn "build-down" proposal? Speak up! -- - Noel Kropf {cmcl2,harpo}!rocky2!cubsvax!noel 212-280-5517 - 1002 Fairchild; Columbia University; New York NY 10027
swatt@ittvax.UUCP (Alan S. Watt) (08/19/83)
For a discussion on disarmament in general and the MX in particular, I recommend a letter from Andrei Sacharov (sp?) in the July issue of "Foreign Affairs". - Alan S. Watt