From: Charlie Stross (charlie@antipope.org)
Date: Thu Jul 27 2000 - 05:55:30 MDT
On Wed, Jul 26, 2000 at 01:10:00PM -0400, Michael S. Lorrey wrote:
> Do you have the slightest idea of how batshit the greenies would go if we
> started testing neutron bombs in space???
Yup. No testing required, though. It's known technology. Besides, the
obvious rejoinder is "which would you prefer -- neutron bombs going off
fifty miles above your head, or H-bombs going off fifty feet above your
head?"
If an ABM system ever needs to be used, there *will* be casualties
somewhere or other. Something will leak through, whoever launched the
attack is going to get fried right back, whatever. The 1960's-vintage
ABM system was intended to reduce the damage. Sure, massive EMP and a
touch of fallout is bad ju-ju to a 21st century civilization -- a lot
worse than it was in 1971, in fact. But it's not as bad as a rain of
H-bombs, which can _really_ ruin your day.
-- Charlie
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