All Hank, all the time.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Why is it a deterrent? So there's a 50% chance of success instead of a 100% chance of success? If they want to blow us up, wouldn't they still be willing to roll the dice? The deterrent is 1000 warheads ready to turn north korea into a radioactive desert.

What it does, if anything, is possibly take a bargaining chip off the table.

NK "We have a missile; give us food and oil"
US "We have Star Wars; your puny missile doesn't bother us. No soup for you."

here's how i define deterrent:

• NK "We have a missile; give us food and oil"
  US "We have Star Wars; your puny missile doesn't bother us. No soup for you."