Reply #4: Deterrence is a powerful tool to prevent other moonbases

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

and yes, Cheney has said that we need to eliminate the enemy satellites, although it sounds like they just want to do a general orbital housekeeping.

I used to sit alert with SAC, and we counted on that 40 minutes from launch detection to impact that it took an ICBM to get from the USSR to the USA. Knowing that we could retaliate (MAD) kept the Cold War cold. BTW, that's one reason missile-equipped subs are so worrisome.

Now, think about putting a nuke missile in low orbit -- 250 miles -- and launch it at someone who pisses you off. What's the flight time? Ninety seconds?

We've got an administration who has radically changed our military doctrine to one of "we'll attack anyone, anywhere, at anytime, for any reason -- or no reason at all."

Space is the High Frontier.