U.S. to weaponize space?

This is the worst idea in human history.

From the New York Times:

The Air Force, saying it must secure space to protect the nation from attack, is seeking President Bush's approval of a national-security directive that could move the United States closer to fielding offensive and defensive space weapons (emphasis added), according to White House and Air Force officials.

The proposed change would be a substantial shift in American policy. It would almost certainly be opposed by many American allies and potential enemies, who have said it may create an arms race in space.

A senior administration official said that a new presidential directive would replace a 1996 Clinton administration policy that emphasized a more pacific use of space, including spy satellites' support for military operations, arms control and nonproliferation pacts.

It is a profound understatement to say that this would be "opposed by many American allies and potential enemies."

Our friends' and enemies' opposition, however, is the least of our problems. What we should fear is that they will really like the idea and begin working on space-based weapons of their own. And, really, unless they are stupid and suicidal, they will begin to do so immediately, whether we develop such a program or not. The idea has been formally presented. Do you imagine that anybody in the international community trusts George W. Bush to do the moral thing?

The Air Force reportedly wants to "secure space." Have they noticed how big space is? The Bush Administration hasn't managed to secure the road to the Baghdad airport. They think they can lock down the heavens?

I suppose we can take some comfort in the fact that Missile Defense is at least 900 years away from ever having a successful test. Hopefully, that puts functional, space-based weapons out of reach for a good, long while.