The upcoming test of North Korea's long range ballistic missile is a major opportunity.

[cherokeeprogressive]

If I remember correctly, and my short term memory admittedly isn't what it used to be, our top military brass is on record as saying something to the effect of "we are pretty sure we can shoot any of their missiles down".

So, why don't we have what was known during the Apollo era of the space program, an "all-up" test? If "Dear Leader" really decides to launch his missile, why don't we use it as a "real-world" opportunity to test our anti-missile missiles and shoot it down?

It's a perfect opportunity. First, it would be something other than a controlled test, and second it would show the world that firing missiles at US soil is folly, because they'll be shot down before they reach their destination.

It's win-win, unless the test fails. I'm willing to risk it.

[bbinacan]

1. Great idea. n/t

[The_Casual_Observer]

2. I wonder what the excuse for not doing it would be, IF the question

were raised.

[cherokeeprogressive]

3. I'm guessing that it would be along the lines of "we don't want to anger Dear Leader".

Such a thing would be provocative, to be sure. I thought about that as I was typing my post.

I don't think though, in my heart of hearts, that Li'l Kim would risk the annihilation of his country by launching a missile attack on SoKo in retaliation.

[The_Casual_Observer]

6. The gov't has gone pretty still about this ABM thing lately.

I kind of expect that one of these days we'll wake up to find out that Obama has let loose a bunch of large conventional bombs onto the NK missile factory & launchers, & that will be that for a while.

[rug]

4. Why don't you write to Obama and tell him to send an ICBM into the launch pad?

[cherokeeprogressive]

5. Why in the world would I do that? n/t

[rug]

7. It's a perfect opportunity.

[cherokeeprogressive]

8. A perfect opportunity in what sense?

We don't have to move ICBM's to launch pads. They're already there.

[rug]

9. If you're that concerned about NK, write to Obama and tell him to take out their launch pads.

[cherokeeprogressive]

12. So you'd advocate PREEMPTIVELY striking NoKo launch pads

as opposed to shooting down a missile you "think" might hit Hawaii?

Who are you, George Bush?

[rug]

13. Do you advocate shooting down another country's missiles during a test, Dick?

[cherokeeprogressive]

14. My name is Chris, thank you very much.

And yes, I do, if it's Li'l Kim and the missile is an ICBM traveling in the direction of the United States.

Dick.

[rug]

15. Then it's a good thing it's as unlikely as finding WMD in Iraq.

[Joe the Revelator]

19. You serious, Clark?

Another country sends a missile towards the United States, I damn well want to see s shoot it down.

[rug]

20. Do you want to shoot it down if it's a test?

[Joe the Revelator]

21. Yes, without a doubt...if the "test" is fired toward Hawaii

or any other American state, yes unequivocally, shoot it down.

[Buzz Clik]

10. It is win-win if we hit it.

Not so much if we miss.

[cherokeeprogressive]

11. "It's win-win, unless the test fails. I'm willing to risk it." My words. n/t

[masuki bance]

16. The North Korean launch is definitely a win-win! nt

[Aloha Spirit]

17. Done unilaterally, would that not be taken as an aggressive move against many states?

[cherokeeprogressive]

18. It could be seen as such, I imagine.

I'm not sure which states you think might take it as naked aggression though. From everthing I've heard, it's 4500 nautical miles from the launch pad to the Hawaiian shores. The missile has a range of approx. 4000 miles, if you believe Li'l Kim. I, as President, would have no problem arguing at the UN that I did what I thought was necessary to defend my constituents, seeing as how the range was only 500 miles different from the distance. A simple mistake in estimating the missile's range could cause it to wind up killing American Citizens, even WITHOUT a warhead, and I would argue that point until everyone got tired of the debate, which is exactly what would happen.