@S1-A.ARPA,@MIT-MC:BADOVINATZ@UTAH-20.ARPA (04/29/85)
From: Peter Badovinatz <BADOVINATZ@UTAH-20.ARPA> There presently is, and has been for quite some time, an extensive discussion of SDI and other assorted "space" weapons on the Arms-Control Digest. Let's keep discussions of such subjects over there. The address is: ARMS-D@MIT-MC Count this as a vote for keeping this group for PEACEFUL uses of space: colonization, exploration, planetary studies etc. Peter R Badovinatz ARPA: badovinatz@utah-20 Univ of Utah CS Dept UUCP: ...!utah-cs!badovin -------
kovner@raynal.DEC (10/22/85)
One point which I have not seen made about SDI is the (to me) impossibility of
deploying even a 100% successful system. Any such system will take sufficient
time to deploy that the other side could easily launch a pre-emptive strike
between the time a system is developed and by the time it is deployed. To me,
deploying even an imperfect system could cause a pre-emptive strike by the
other side, especially if the other side is not CONVINCED that the system is
imperfect. And, after all, why deploy such a system if it does not work?
(Except for the profits made by the companies producing it; something not
likely to be appreciated by a Communist government.)
I am thus forced to agree with those that say that SDI is of no use without
international cooperation. I do say that it would be of tremendous use in
preventing a country with few nuclear missiles from starting a war. A few
missiles could be easily handled by a system designed to defend against
thousands. However, it is probably easier to assemble (or steal) nuclear
weapons than missiles; thus terrorists planting bombs is a greater threat
than a small country obtaining nuclear missiles.
I would also like an end to the threat of nuclear war. I just do not see
how SDI alone could produce it.
Steve Kovner
UUCP: { decvax, allegra, ucbvax }!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-regina!kovner
ARPA: kovner%regina.DEC@decwrl.ARPA
Stay tuned for "32 Seconds to Cairo", the story of the first captain of a
submarine with nuclear piles.