(via APS – What’s new by Robert L. Park – Friday, 18 Feb 05)
1. MISSILE DEFENSE: UNTESTED DEFENSE MEETS NON-EXISTENT THREAT.
In last Sunday’s missile defense test, an interceptor missile again refused to leave its silo. Who can blame it? It’s crazy out there. A month ago, a “minor software glitch” caused a malfunction (www.aps.org/WN/WN05/wn011405.cfm). This time it was a tiny switch in the silo. The Missile Defense Agency doesn’t seem worried; tests don’t count if they don’t get to “the end game” (www.aps.org/WN/WN02/wn121302.cfm). Does missile defense seem just a little less urgent these days? According to Defense Daily, plans for around-the-clock operation of the system have been dropped in favor of an “emergency alert status” — no point in turning it on if no one is shooting at us. Maybe North Korea will agree not to launch a surprise attack. At his Tuesday confirmation hearing, Deputy Secretary of State nominee Robert Zoellick said he thinks North Korea is lying about having nukes. President Bush thought Iraq was lying about NOT having nukes.