Star Wars Has Started

It was reported by the Washington Post on January 19, 2007 that China had “used a ground-based missile to hit and destroy one of its aging satellites orbiting more than 500 miles in space… The test of anti-satellite technology is believed to be the first of its kind in two decades by any nation and raised concerns about the vulnerability of U.S. satellites and a possible arms race in space.”
Now, just 13 months later the United States has shot down an aging spy satellite we had put into space. The stated reason we shot down this satellite was because there was concern that there could be harm brought to people living in the area of that crashing projectile.

Honestly, I do not believe this scenario. The U.S. probably did shoot down a satellite but the reason this was done was to send a message to China. That message is we too have the capability of shooting down satellites.

The Washington Post article went on to say, “The Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) said the Chinese action makes it essential that the administration begin negotiations to stop any possible space arms race. "The Chinese anti-satellite test is terrible news for international stability and security, and could presage the dawn of a new arms race -- this time in space," Markey said. "American satellites are the soft underbelly of our national security, and it is urgent that President Bush move to guarantee their protection by initiating an international agreement to ban the development, testing, and deployment of space weapons and anti-satellite systems."

Is this an opportunity for John McCain to bring up the topic of national defense and the need to have someone of his experience in the White House? Absolutely. He just might do that. Then again may be he is wise enough to not scare the American population. In any case, star wars is here.