ABM Treaty

Bruce Herschensohn (“U.S. Should Opt Out of ’72 Missile Pact,” Commentary, April 8) is being disingenuous in suggesting that the development of an antimissile system would save lives. What it would do is fuel the arms race driving countries with ICBMs to try to keep ahead of competing nations. This will provide a fantastic windfall for the defense industry.

Much like the expansion of NATO, scrapping antimissile treaties will burden the American taxpayer and destabilize the hard-won peace. As my grandson says when confronted with the craziness of life, “This idea sucks.”

LARRY SHAPIRO

Rancho Mirage