Bush the Space Cowboy

If anything, the BDS crowd is predictable.

Forget about preventing a catastrophe, these folks have political points to score, the safety and well-being of civilians on the ground be damned.

Of course, if the president were to do nothing and this malfunctioning satellite crashed into a populated area, what do you think the reaction would be?

Bush branded 'cowboy of space' after decision to shoot down malfunctioning satellite

President Bush was branded a cowboy last night amid claims that his decision to shoot down a failed satellite could spark a confrontation with Russia and China.

The Pentagon insists the first U.S. missile to be fired into space since Cold War tests ended in the 1980s was being launched to eliminate any danger to people or property on the ground if the satellite falls to earth.

Military officials said there was a risk of a leak of deadly toxic gas if the satellite, in an orbit which takes it over Britain, was allowed to crash early next month.

But space and security experts claimed yesterday that Mr Bush's decision was more about showing Russia and China what the U.S. was capable of, rather than preventing danger to life and limb.

They warned the president could provoke a new arms race in space by brandishing America's military power.

Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer with the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics, called the move "regrettable".

And in a jibe aimed at the President he said: "Clearly someone in the administration who has the instincts of a cowboy has decided this is the perfect excuse to rattle our sabres and show the Chinese that we have the same capabilities."

And what, exactly, would be wrong with that, if it indeed was the case?

Why can't these folks realize this is being done for the reasons reported?