Hating Missile Defense

AROUND the time an antiballistic missile failed to intercept its target in a high-profile test last year, one could hardly look at newspapers or magazines without seeing a quote from America’s leading missile-defense critic. “The whole thing is a fraud,” Theodore A. Postol told Newsweek. The New York Times rewarded his loyal trashing of missile defense with a loving profile. (“As a scientist, he brings laserlike precision to his work,” cooed Elaine Sciolino.) Postol was simply everywhere, and liberals who have hated missile defense ever since Ronald Reagan first proposed it treated him like a prophet.

This year, however, things haven’t gone so well for the MIT physicist. First there’s the stubborn reality of President Bush and his strong support of missile defense. (“I’ve resisted saying this, but I’m basically a Democrat,” admits Postol. “I voted for Al Gore.”) Then there was the inconvenience of a successful missile-defense test on July 14—Postol went missing in action afterwards. What could he say? He isn’t the kind of guy who will volunteer that he was ever wrong.

About the Author

John J. Miller

John J. Miller, a former national correspondent for National Review, is the director of the Dow Journalism Program at Hillsdale College. He is the author of A Gift of Freedom: How the John M. Olin Foundation Changed America.

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AROUND the time an antiballistic missile failed to intercept its target in a high-profile test last year, one could hardly look at newspapers or magazines without seeing a quote from America’s leading missile-defense critic. “The whole thing is a fraud,” Theodore A. Postol told Newsweek. The New York Times rewarded his loyal trashing of missile defense with a loving profile. (“As a scientist, he brings laserlike precision to his work,” cooed Elaine Sciolino.) Postol was simply everywhere, and liberals who have hated missile defense ever since Ronald Reagan first proposed it treated him like a prophet.

This year, however, things haven’t gone so well for the MIT physicist. First there’s the stubborn reality of President Bush and his strong support of missile defense. (“I’ve resisted saying this, but I’m basically a Democrat,” admits Postol. “I voted for Al Gore.”) Then there was the inconvenience of a successful missile-defense test on July 14—Postol went missing in action afterwards. What could he say? He isn’t the kind of guy who will volunteer that he was ever wrong.

About the Author

John J. Miller

John J. Miller, a former national correspondent for National Review, is the director of the Dow Journalism Program at Hillsdale College. He is the author of A Gift of Freedom: How the John M. Olin Foundation Changed America.