A Chequer-Board of Nights and Days

Those who argue that missile defense will never work and that therefore, we ought never even try to develop the technology should perhaps take note of this:

A ground-based missile successfully intercepted a target missile Friday in a test of the nation's defense system, the Missile Defense Agency said.

An intercontinental ballistic missile interceptor blasted out of an underground silo at Vandenberg Air Force Base shortly after 1:15 p.m., and tracked a target missile that had lifted off from the Kodiak Launch Complex in Alaska, the Boeing Co. said in a statement.

The Missile Defense Agency said initial results show the interceptor's rocket motor system and kill vehicle performed as planned. Boeing said the warhead was tracked, intercepted and destroyed.

I really do wonder whether we would have ever gotten to the moon if we had listened to all of the people who said that it would be impossible to do so.