Former Clinton Defense Secretary: a Mistake for President Obama to Downgrade Importance of Missile Defense
EmailWriting the Washington Times, William Cohen, a Republican senator from Maine who served as President Bill Clinton’s defense secretary from 1997 through 2001, says that President Obama’s decision to reduce the funding commitment to the US missile-defense system by $1.4 billion "sends the signal that we do not take the threats of rogue regimes seriously, and are willing to take the risk that current technologies are sufficient to prevent devastating accidents or miscalculations."
Given North Korean actions, Cohen says, this is a big mistake.
"Given the disturbing geopolitical events that are now unfolding, it is imperative that we err on the side of safety," he says. "The consequences are too grave to allow our leadership to claim at some future time that they were taken by surprise."
Cutting this commitment will "embolden North Korea, Iran and other rogue states to pursue missiles of increasing range. It would also confuse our allies and undermine their trust in America’s security guarantees. If the United States is vulnerable to the threat of a missile attack by a rogue state, allies could lose confidence in America’s nuclear deterrent – which could lead nations such as Japan to pursue a nuclear deterrent of their own."
- jpt
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You never want a serious crisis to go to waste, and what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things that you didn’t think you could do before.
No crisis = No opportunity
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | May 28, 2009, 9:22 am 9:22 am
Yet, Gen. Jones proclaims the President’s decisions ‘have made us safer’.
The President is gambling America’s future security away by cancelling strategic missile defense.
Geoff, you claim ‘missile defense hasn’t worked’. You must be clueless.
It is operational…we have already shot down missiles in multiple tests, plus an orbiting satellite.
It will definitely work…it just won’t work against an overwhelming salvo of missiles,but it isn’t designed for that anyway.
Have you ever noticed the media says Israel’s missile defense tests are always successful, but the U.S.’s isn’t?
Bias is getting in your way, my friend.
Posted by: J House | May 28, 2009, 9:37 am 9:37 am
Who would say that N.K.’s bomb or A.Q.’s crude dirty bomb would have to be delivered by missle.. in order to be effective…
These rogues don’t have to be technically superior to make a terror statement.. they deal in the politics of fear.. and I would surmise that they already have the expertise to spread fear… and at some point, will do so….
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | May 28, 2009, 9:48 am 9:48 am
Obama will blame Bush and then go hide like Nancy Pelosi If North Korea makes a move, thats his S.O.P
the stimulus has saved 150,000 jobs..LMAO AT Obama Yep but you still can’t track the money like you said, the sheriff is deputy dawg(biden) adn YOU have lost 1.565 Million jobs
Posted by: democrats, the orginal confederate racist | May 28, 2009, 9:50 am 9:50 am
“Who would say that N.K.’s bomb or A.Q.’s crude dirty bomb would have to be delivered by missle.. in order to be effective…”
NK and Iran are pinning their delivery method on missile technology. It is the most difficult to intercept, so if your going to put your most expensive, difficult to produce weapon on deployment, its going to be using a system that is most difficult to counter and intercept, thus ballistic missiles.
BMD is for rogue states, not terror groups. It’s also a counter balance to a growing China threat and the reconstitution of the Russian nuclear fleet.
Posted by: KR | May 28, 2009, 9:53 am 9:53 am
“…and I would surmise that they already have the expertise to spread fear..”
I just wish that such a large portion of our own citizens would stop helping them.
Posted by: Skip | May 28, 2009, 9:54 am 9:54 am
…all good points…
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | May 28, 2009, 10:03 am 10:03 am
“…and I would surmise that they already have the expertise to spread fear..”
I just wish that such a large portion of our own citizens would stop helping them.
Posted by: Skip
—————————
Wishing won’t change the election. Obama won. Move on.
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | May 28, 2009, 10:23 am 10:23 am
Ignorance is Bliss….
Posted by: Parallax View | May 28, 2009, 10:25 am 10:25 am
foghorn..But…it might prevent a second term…looking forward to re-voting 2010/2012
Posted by: Parallax View | May 28, 2009, 10:28 am 10:28 am
Cohen is the Democratic answer to Colin Powell. He should not be given much attention.
Posted by: matt | May 28, 2009, 10:29 am 10:29 am
I’ll trust our current military officals & leaders who are up with all global threats
Posted by: ok | May 28, 2009, 10:42 am 10:42 am
“I’ll trust our current military officals & leaders who are up with all global threats”
Most of them are saying the same thing, as are our allies in Japan, Israel, and Poland. Recently Germany has shown interest as well as Italy and India. Iran, if they aquire nukes, will only be a few years away from being able to hit Europe. Japan is in the crosshairs of NK, and India in the crosshairs of Pakistan. Not to mention our own western sea board is in the range of the latest NK missiles. There is a need for the system.
Posted by: KR | May 28, 2009, 10:47 am 10:47 am
Part of the program is also research on directed energy weapons, which may be far superior to kinetic weapons like missiles.These systems could be used in the future to save American lives, on and off the battlefield.
America’s future security is being gambled away, but GM needs to be saved?
Posted by: J House | May 28, 2009, 11:21 am 11:21 am
“Part of the program is also research on directed energy weapons, which may be far superior to kinetic weapons like missiles”
There is no doubt that future directed energy weapon systems, born out of BMD, will drastically impact the battlefields of the future and keep the US one step ahead of the world, that is if we fund it. Competitor nations are investing in it quite heavily.
Posted by: KR | May 28, 2009, 11:34 am 11:34 am
Mad-libs Obama style…
“I know some have argued that brutal methods like waterboarding were necessary to keep us safe. I could not disagree more. … I reject the assertion that these are the most effective means of interrogation.”
translated for situational purposes:
“I know some have argued that brutal methods like A MISSLIE DEFENSE SYSTEM are necessary to keep us safe. I could not disagree more. … I reject the assertion that these are the most effective means of DEFENDING AGAINST MISSILES.”
Sadly, it’s apparent he will disagree with everything necessary to keep us safe – and we will be blown to smithereens as an anti-recruitment tool for terrorists and wing-nut dictators.
Posted by: BH | May 28, 2009, 11:59 am 11:59 am
Take a look at the Cohen Group’s client! It’s a no brainer that Cohen would support missile defense. Many of the clients of his lobbying/consulting firm have strong interests in it.
Posted by: Cohen Group | May 28, 2009, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm
Democrats in COngress must be sitting on their hands in an attempt not to show how tightly they have their fingers crossed that we don’t get attacked.
Golf anyone?
Posted by: Plumber | May 28, 2009, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
“Take a look at the Cohen Group’s client! It’s a no brainer that Cohen would support missile defense. Many of the clients of his lobbying/consulting firm have strong interests in it.”
Now now, don’t let facts get in the way of a bunch frightened right wingers looking to make others as pathetically afraid as they are.
Posted by: Ryan C | May 28, 2009, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm
“Democrats in COngress must be sitting on their hands in an attempt not to show how tightly they have their fingers crossed that we don’t get attacked.”
And right wingers like yourself and Cheney hope America is attacked and Americans are killed.
Just for the opportunity to say I told you so.
Posted by: Ryan C | May 28, 2009, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm
Gee RyanC, I don’t think anyone is ‘hoping’ we get attacked just to prove a point (at least I hope not)
I do agree the issue shouldn’t be hyped.
We had enough ‘crying wolf’ before and after 9/11. Ask Richard Clark how helpful it was.
Still, it is fair to point out that missile defense research/deployment can be defended, especially when we have threats like N Korea and Iran still present.
Otherwise, it seems foolish and short-sighted to give it away….for what, when we don’t mind lending billions to save auto company 1,2,etc.
Posted by: J House | May 28, 2009, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm
“America’s future security is being gambled away, but GM needs to be saved?”
If you want to frame it in gambling terms: What do you think the odds are that the spending will be successful and save the auto industry compared to spending mega-tons of cash researching and deploying a missile defense shield that will actually work reliably? My money would be on saving the auto industry.
Posted by: Skip | May 28, 2009, 3:54 pm 3:54 pm
Maybe GM can build a missle defense system.. probably won’t work very well, but it would keep them busy.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | May 28, 2009, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
…and would carry a full government backed warranty.. for 48 months or 50,000 downed missles… whichever comes first…
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | May 28, 2009, 5:30 pm 5:30 pm
Foghorn Leghorn: “Wishing won’t change the election. Obama won. Move on.”
Don’t let liberals like Foghorn talk you out of your 1st amendment rights and your responsibility to your country to be involved in electing and holding accountable your representatives. Despite what liberals say, they have no problem denying your constitutional right to free speech by telling you to essentially “shut up,” when they disagree. I guess the truth is too painful for some to even debate.
Whatever happened to dissent being patriotic? I guess that’s only the case when we have a Republican President in office. The double-standards are pathetic and transparent.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 29, 2009, 2:06 pm 2:06 pm
Ryan C: “frightened right wingers looking to make others as pathetically afraid as they are. ”
I get it. If you disagree with conservatives on a national security matter, just say they’re afraid. That isn’t going to work for you. Don’t naively and dishonestly mistake prudence for fear. A prudence, I might add, that has kept you, me, and everyone else safe in America for the last 7 years. A prudence that Obama and the rest of you liberals have traded in for a kinder, gentler war on “man-made disasters” and “overseas contingencies.” Unfortunately, at this point, I fear Obama’s negligence and ignorance far more than I fear our enemies. After all, when unhindered and under responsible, our military and defense agencies have a proven track record of keeping us safe.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 29, 2009, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm
J House: “Still, it is fair to point out that missile defense research/deployment can be defended . . .”
Not to liberals. They have been railing against missile defense for years. First, they said it wouldn’t work. Then, they said it was just a waste of taxpayer money going to defense contractors. Then, after they got it working, they continued to deny it’s functionality and as evidence of comments here, the denials continue to this day. They are politically married to the idea of being against missile defense no matter how well it works or how bad we need it. Just add this to the long list of legitimate defense initiatives opposed by Democrats further exposing their negligence with our national security.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 29, 2009, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
Skip: “If you want to frame it in gambling terms: What do you think the odds are that the spending will be successful and save the auto industry . . .”
I’d say pretty low. If the auto industry had a viable product and business model, they wouldn’t need a bail out. Unless they start offering cars consumers want at a competitive price, they are doomed to the same failure. If it were possible they could remain in-demand and competitive, don’t you think they would have. It’s simple Capitalism 101.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 29, 2009, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
DontGet818OnMeNow: “Maybe GM can build a missle defense system”
Only if the missiles are “green” — made from recyclable materials, adherent to CAFE standards, use renewable fuels, and if it can make a gigantic peace-sign in the air when the missile makes it’s intercept spreading peace and diplomacy across the land.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 29, 2009, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
PRESIDENT OBAMA DOES NOT MAKE DECISION ON HIS OWN BIDEN WAS LONG TERM SENATOR OBAMA BELIEVE IN HIS EXPERIENCE AND OTHER SENIOR EXPERIENCE AND ADVISE
THANKS
SAMUEL(ACTIVIST)
Posted by: SAMUEL | October 4, 2009, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm