US spends $165bn on SDI, tests rigged

CBS Pentagon correspondent David Martin reports on the $165bn renewed missile defense program dubbed "Star Wars Lite". Building on the foundations of the Reagan-era S.D.I. program (which never worked in the first place), the program is being used as a possible deterrent to a missile attack from smaller hostile nations like North Korea. The recent satellite shoot-down in the Pacific was cited as a great test of the system, but the tests have never been conducted in realistic situations. Translation: They cannot have a successful missile test without cheating.

Recently, David Martin reported on a new microwave heat weapon for "60 Minutes". The one-sided report said that the supposedly "non-lethal" heat ray could be used against Iraqi insurgents. In that report, Martin never questioned why the demonstrations resembled college campus protests instead of Iraqi insurgency actions. Martin should have seen that the heat ray is obviously intended for use against domestic protesters.

Martin's latest report is more balanced, but CBS buried the report on "CBS Sunday Morning", and they have not posted the video on their website. I am posting this to increase its exposure.