A missile defense system is completely useless. First, you can probably defend against a couple of missiles but if a foreign nation unleshed hundreds of them I doubt you’d get them all. Second, if you just left everyone alone then you wouldn’t have missiles flying towards you anyway. Think of Switzerlands missile defense system.
I find few things more contemptible than “anarchist” that believe freedom would merely be market imperialism.
If you think the Swiss exist as they do because they have next-to-no military? No, they’re ‘free riders’. They’re safe because other nations know the US would defend them. I agree, the US is way to interventionist, however.
No, the Swiss are safe because they leave people alone, which is my point. And they do not rely on other nations for their defense. In fact, the Swiss model of defense is one of the most complete a nation can have. Most of their male population has served in the military and those still in take their gear and their rifles home with them. Those that are no longer in the military still own guns. Most people in Switzerland enjoy shooting for recreation. Their national shooting competition alone draws over 200,000 spectators. Every office complex has bomb shelters, the mountains have enough space bored out to accommodate the whole population, every bridge is wired for explosives. They have advanced fighters, tanks, APC’s, IFV’s, communications, etc.
Switzerland can handle itself but doesn’t need a “missile defense shield” because they have no enemies. Since they do not get involved in other nations problems and since they aren’t trying to force their system of government and life style on others they don’t have to worry about someone invading because of the crimes they have committed against them. No one is mad at Switzerland and if they did try to invade them they’d have one hell of a time subduing that nation.
The Swiss follow the model our Founders wanted for us – a well armed population that trades with all nations but doesn’t get involved in their domestic problems.
kingmonkey, are we at the end of science? I hear this statement that a missile defense system will never work and it seems to be based on political partisanship rather than the probability of technological advancements. Much is made of hitting bullets with bullets but you must know that in a real war situation those missiles are nuclear tipped and will fry the MIRVs and that’s with present technology. We at the knee of a parabolic increase in scientific knowledge.
King, you actually think if you just leave bad people alone everything will be ok? They’re not gonna be good little kids and stay on their side of the street, not when they can dominate your ass. You’re right that the US should be MUCH less involved in other country’s affairs, but I can assure you, the Swiss dont enjoy their freedom because of THEIR defense.
Nothing made by man is perfect and works 100% all of the time. If Russian were to suddenly launch 100 ICBM’s towards us I doubt we’d have the ability, even with this missile defense shield to get every single one of them because the odds are that at least one part of that defense “shield” will fail.
Second, who has the capabilities to launch such an attack? Russia, China, England, Israel and India. Three of those nations are our allies and the other two don’t really pose much of a threat to us. China wouldn’t attack us because right now we are the reason they have an economy. Russia is a bit sketchy but so far Moscow hasn’t said they want to resume the Cold War. North Korea is developing one but no one seriously believes they’d pick a direct fight with the US, especially in the nuclear realm.
The truth is if we just left them alone and stay out of their business there would be no reason for them to attack us. If we opened up trade with North Korea their life would drastically improve and they’d love us because they want our crap.
I didn’t say they’d play nice and not invade. I said it is much less likely that someone would. The reason the Japanese didn’t invade the West coast is because of the sheer number of rifles we have here. Its the same reason we didn’t invade mainland Japan. The cost in human life wouldn’t have made it worth it. It is interesting that during World War II, arguably the badest of the bad guys, didn’t bother to invade Switzerland. Yes, plans were drawn up by Hitler didn’t see it necessary to waste so much time trying to take a country that would fight the very last person. The loss of German lives would have been too great. When WWII broke out in 1939 the WHOLE nation of Switzerland was mobilized in three days and the total defense stength of Switzerland swelled to over 500,000 people with a peak of over 700,000 men prepared to defend the nation.
The Swiss enjoy their freedom because of their defense and because of their neutrality. No one guarantees the freedom of Switzerland but the Swiss people.