U.S. should dump cold war relic
Collegian Opinion

   President Bush gave a rousing State of the Union address to Congress last week.

  As predicted, he gave an acknowledging nod to the Enron fiasco, calling for “corporate accountability” and the safeguarding of employees’ 401K retirement funds.

  He reiterated his mantra of bipartisanship, citing education reform as proof things can get done cooperatively. And, he had to mention Social Security and prescription drugs.

  But all of these issues occupied less than half the speech (less than a quarter if you discount the applause between each sentence).

  The president seemed on a mission in his speech to make sure the ongoing war on terrorism did not slip to the back of anyone’s mind. Sure, he acknowledged the need to attend to affairs at home, especially the ailing economy.

  His 77 percent approval rating, however, results from his successful handling of affairs after the terrorist attacks.

  Bush called for improved homeland security and intelligence. In addition, he endorsed a budget with the highest defense spending America has seen in 20 years.

  The budget will pay for military equipment, readiness and a much-needed pay raise for the nation’s soldiers.

  Also, there were stern warnings to North Korea, Iran and Iraq, all nations whose governmental regimes are considered hostile to the United States. These countries also are known to be seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons.

  President Bush’s shining moment, though, may have gone unnoticed by many. The president called for the development of a missile defense system to protect America and its allies from sudden attack.

  This may not seem like a big deal. It makes sense. If America is threatened, it should have defenses, right?

  But up until now, the United States has been clinging to an outdated anti-missile treaty signed with the now defunct Soviet Union. Yes, that is right. Despite the fact that the nation does not exist anymore and does not impose a serious threat, America’s previous commander-in-chief, President Clinton, honored the treaty. The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty is a Cold War relic.

  Why would he honor such a treaty? Because America gave its word. This country is known for freedom and justice. A just nation should keep its word, but justice does not mean America must honor a treaty signed with a nation that no longer exists.

  If a barber agrees to cut his neighbor’s hair for no charge every month indefinitely and that neighbor suddenly dies, should the barber posthumously keep cutting the neighbor’s hair?

  If he does, his other neighbors will call him crazy behind his back. They might even conspire to get him kicked out of the neighborhood association.

  Now is the time for America to dump the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty and take steps necessary to defend itself.

  The continued threat of attack from hostile nations and terrorist regimes is very real.

  From now on, we must take all threats seriously; it is better to defend ourselves later than never.