Preserve, Protect And Defend

Today, there is plenty of buzz about Obama working his hope and change on our nuclear weapons and defense policies. One weapons expert observes that Obama's goal appears to be "a world without American nuclear weapons."

As a patriotic American, I really need a refreshing change of pace from this disturbing, if not pathological thinking. Other presidents from the Democratic Party have maintained a far more realistic attitude in order to protect us and the beacon that is the Constitution of the United States of America. One of them was John F. Kennedy. In his thousand days in office, he delivered several memorable speeches, and more than some presidents did in three thousand days. Take these next few minutes to read - or listen to - his inaugural address where he weaves a compelling policy of idealism and realpolitik in a dangerous world. It's hard to believe that fifty years have passed since that bitterly cold day in January 1961. The time may have passed, but the dangers have not. Oh to have that kind of voice in the White House today.

For the visually inclined, video of the speech is available here on Wikimedia.

Space Stations and Mullah Missles

Last night, I went outside about an hour after sunset to watch the International Space Station (ISS) pass over my house. Atlanta was in the last grasps of an arctic dome of cold, clear air, so the pass was exceptional, rising in the northwest, reaching a height of 61 degrees, and disappearing at the horizon in the southeast after 112 seconds. Earlier in the day, I noticed that my source for the flyover time - Spaceweather - also listed the near tandem passes for the new Iranian satellite and its booster rocket. That reminded me of another story in yesterday's news: President Obama's intention to carry out his campaign promise to pursue a policy of no weapons in space, e.g., no "Star Wars" projects. There was also news of his proposal to reduce our nuclear weapons stock to something like 500 warheads, if Russia would agree to do the same. I think there was some indication of a unilateral action to give others some incentive.

With Iran working hard to develop some nuclear capability with assistance from the Russians, our defense systems should take on new meaning. It is one thing to deal with an old adversary who shares many of your Western values. It is quite another to coexist with a society bent on martyrdom as a pathway to salvation. I hope we are looking beyond Russian missiles when planning our tactical response to threats from the sky. The Iranian space program may have more in store for us than opportunities to watch their latest achievements in space drift over my house.

Granted, it has been a very rough two weeks for the new administration, undoubtedly the worst in my 50 years observing such transitions. We can afford neither the instability nor the soft leftist thinking that appears to be seeping into our defense policy. The world is watching every move, every minute. Let's not give them opportunities to see weakness. As my life unfolds, I want to be assured that the bright fast-moving "star" coming over my horizon is the ISS or another object I can enjoy watching.