Trent Franks: “since mankind took up arms against his fellow human beings, every offensive weapon has been countered by a defensive…”

“since mankind took up arms against his fellow human beings, every offensive weapon has been countered by a defensive weapon. The spear brought the shield. The sword spawned the suit of armor. Bullets brought heavier armor, and each succeeding advancement in offensive weapons has brought a defensive response wherein mankind hopes to buy a little more time. Yet, today, when we are 60 years into the nuclear age and mankind faces the most dangerous weapons in the history of humanity, there is in this moment a debate in the United States Congress as to whether or not the United States of America should fully pursue defending its citizens against nuclear missiles. Madam Speaker, the Rumsfeld Commission report stated that North Korea has developed a missile with a range of 10,000 kilometers, "placing at risk western U.S. territory in an arc extending northwest from Phoenix, Arizona, to Madison, Wisconsin." In this Defense authorization bill, the Democrats cut nearly $800 million from missile defense.”