China, as well as Russia and North Korea, is building ballistic missiles to use space as a free ride for a ballistic-missile attack. Our first priority in space should be to deploy a ballistic-missile defense, taking advantage of the high altitude of space. A space-based missile defense would enable us to intercept ballistic missiles during their boost phase. A space-based defense also would provide global coverage and multiple opportunities to intercept a missile. A comprehensive space program recognizing our long-term commercial and scientific interests would include the development of a lunar base, taking advantage of the discovery of water at the moon s poles.
Mankind can t stay in the cradle forever.
We need to step into space. In my old neighborhood in Boston, newcomers used to drive the streets with their left hands clenched in a power to the people fist, or otherwise the other drivers would swerve at them and do all other sorts of road rage things to them. The same thing happens in Florida to outsiders arriving as snowbirds and tourists. In other words, road rage is a communist response to outsiders, not some kind of individual choice in the face of personal problems. I have a bridge in Brooklyn that I would like to sell him.