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Show HILL TOP TIMES Fridoy, July 27, 1984 editorials Voting A precious right, freedom we must protect and save By Rene Larkin Sacramento ALC Public Affairs McClellan AFB, Calif. I hope you voted in your state's primary election -- I did. If you didn't, I hope you take the necessary steps to be sure you are eligible to vote in November's general election. Why am I concerned? Because every citizen has an obligation to vote. Much blood has been shed to earn the right and more to protect it. Let us not dilute this freedom -l- et us keep this right, this freedom, for our children and our children's children. A decade ago, I was not as conscientious about this right this privilege. Yes, voting is a privilege given to so few people in this world. We should not shirk our duty to vote as I once did. "Why waste my time voting let the 'others' elect the officials." "My vote doesn't really count." These were some of my excuses. U.S.- Since that time, though, I have "grown up" and now realize how really precious and important that "right to vote" really is. Just look at the newspapersthe stories of people in foreign countries fighting for this right -- often with just one candidate. Yes, my viewpoint has changed considerably. I now do my "duty" by voting in each and every election. I may not vote for the winner, but I do cast my ballot- -I exercise MY RIGHT! Just as I express my faith each Sunday by attending the church of my choice, another freedomprivilegeright of the people in this great country, I go to the polls on election day and exercise my right -- my choice -- for the delegates, the issues, etc. I want to do my part to keep this privilege and keep it strong -- keep it alive. That is one way I can show my appreciation to all those who have given their lives or limbs to protect this great country and defend the rights of the people in this great landl(LOGNEWS) couldpenetrate Soviet defense, general says The United States could penetrate current Soviet defense systems if necessary, says Gen. Bennie L. Davis, Strategic Air Command. Commander in Chief. During a recent interview with the Air Force News missile Service, General Davis discussed systems, the production and survivability of new missiles and the future of deterrence. The general said that chaff and decoys inside U.S. ballistic missiles would enable the missiles to penetrate a Soviet arm system. (Chaff are radar reflectors and decoys are replicas of the actual warhead. Working together the two confuse the enemy's radar and tracking devices.) General Davis said the United States is also vehicle that working toward a manueverable could penetrate Soviet missile defense systems. According to the general, the Soviets have 100 arms around Moscow. He said the systems were permitted under a 1972 arms treaty. anti-ballist- ic re-ent- ry Continues research, development The United States abandoned its effort to deploy an arms system around Grand Forks, N.D., according to General Davis, although it continued researching and developing a system. He said the Army's successful June 10 launch of an interceptor that destroyed an incoming dummy warhead 100 miles over the Pacific Ocean resulted from that program. In response to criticism that America's ABM system must be 100 percent effective at stopping incoming Soviet warheads, General Davis replied, "I don't believe we can sit still and wait for the perfect system to be developed. "I suspect well have a limited system, on the way to deploying a complete system, that will protect the nation's capitol and some of our ICBM fields," he said. "And the better we can protect our capitol and ballistic missiles -- as well as, ultimately, our population tzriiTC? F1 dimes centers the tougher it threaten us." will be for the Soviets to Addressing this country's need for the new Peacekeeper Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, the general noted that the Peacekeeper would help modernize the ICBM leg of the U.S. Strategic Triad. "About 70 percent of our (strategic nuclear) force today is on systems that are 15 or more years old. On the other hand, 70 percent of the Soviets' strategic nuclear force is on systems five years and newer." Deter the Soviets According to General Davis, the Peacekeeper would help deter the Soviets from launching an attack against the United States. "If we are going to deter the Soviets, we have to convince them that if they launch an attack, we will retaliate and the cost of that attack wouldn't be worth the risk," he said. And as to the Peacekeeper's survivability in fixed positions rather than in a mobile system, General Davis said, "I don't think any system is absolutely invulnerable. That's why we have a triad -- so no one leg can be attacked in isolation. "If we just allowed the missiles to sit in the silos while being shot at, there's a high probability that a large percentage would be damaged. But even a mobile system would be vulnerable if we did not ; retaliate." However, the missiles' vulnerability does not mean launch on warning, General Davis said. "Some people are concerned that if the silos are vulnerable, well have a response and launch on warning," he said. "Well, that's not U.S. policy. We would launch if attacked, but not on warning." General Davis also commented on the "Midgetman" missile that is to supplement the the United States would Published by MorMedia Sales, 1152 West Riverdale Road, Ogden Utah 84405, telephone 394-965- Deadlines: Editorial, 4 p.m. Monday before publication date; Announcements for "Where the Action Is," , 10 a.m. Monday before publication date; Classified ads, 4 p.m. Wednesday before publication date. - hair-trigg- er so-call- ed Peacekeeper: "The new small missile which is in development now and expected to be flight-teste- d by 1988 and developed by the 1990s will have two features. It will have a single vehicle, and it will be a U.S. effort to convince the Soviets to go re-ent- ry S to a single from 10 warheads on their vehicle. "The small missile will also be very accurate as well as mobile and, therefore, a much more difficult SS-18- target." Aging problem stopped As to the problem of aging equipment which the U.S. currently faces with its nuclear forces, General Davis said this won't happen again, if there is an research and development program. B"The -l bomber and the Peacekeeper will have operational capabilities in 1986, the D-- 5 on-goi- ng missile will come into the inventory about 1989, the advanced technology bomber around the early 1990s, and the new small missile in 1992," he said. "If we continue researching and developing future systems that we can't even imagine today, this equipment won't all age out 30 years from now." And does the SAC commander believe the future of deterrence is in space? "Yes, but not at this time," he said. "I believe technology will permit us to deploy a defense against ballistic missiles in space, probably sometime after the year 2000. "Certainly our activities in space will increase with the advent of the Air Force Space Command and the president's initiative on space defense. However, for the next 20 years, I wouldn't expect to see much of a shift in deterrence -- other than deployment of the Peacekeeper, small ICBM, B- -l advanced technology (AFNS) bomber, and the submarine-launche- d Articles may be turned in at Room 11 8, BJdg. 1102, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Hid Top Times receives Air Force News Service (AFNS), AF Logistics Command News Service (LOGNEWS), Tactical Air Command News Service. (TACNS), , and American Forces Press Service ' (AFPS). 1 re-ent- ry D-5- ." Everything advertised in the Hill Top Times must be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to the race, creed, color, national origin or sex of the purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation or rejection of this policy of equal opportunity by an advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source. |