[deccan]

Originally posted by Erax:
Actually, the whole point of "star wars" was to throw lots of money into defense, which the Soviets wouldn't be able to match without breaking their already overstretched economy. It wasn't necessary for the program to work as such, only to look as it might work.

A letter to The Economist published in its issue of 24th October 2003:

SIR - I had the occasion to speak confidentially with Edward Teller during Ronald Reagan's second term. As he was credited with authorship of he Strategic Defence Initiative ("Star Wars"), I asked him how it came about. He said that Reagan fashioned a bubble with his hands and said, "I wish I could put a protective shield over the country - to keep evil people from doing us harm." Teller told the president his vision was possible.

I asked Teller if it would work. "Now? No," he said and I asked why. He gave a bored shrug: "The technology doesn't exist." This was an astounding admission from the chief architect of Star Wars. Though it failed it is still credited with hastening the downfall of the Soviet Union. Teller displayed a profound lack of interest in the morality of launching a massive programme he knew would not work, and an overriding interest in the morality of defeating America's enemies.

GRANT STOCKDALE
Washington, DC

[ November 04, 2003, 10:11: Message edited by: deccan ]