Debate Over Missile Shield

* I am admittedly not well-schooled in the ways of the world community and I am having trouble understanding the resistance of many countries to a workable missile defense system (“The Gipper Had This Defense Figured,” Commentary, June 6).

The situation seems roughly analogous to a homeowner wanting to install deadbolt locks and an alarm system at his residence and meeting stiff resistance from the criminals in the neighborhood. Who cares what the crooks think and why would an honest neighbor complain?

And by the way, in light of the move toward developing a strategic defense system and the sharing of that technology recently urged by President Clinton, is there a liberal among us who will still deny that President Reagan was a man of tremendous vision?

STEVE SWITZER

Redondo Beach

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In response to Robert S. McNamara defending his “mutually assured destruction” (MAD) defense strategy (question and answer, Commentary, June 5), I would like to point out that this is the year 2000, not 1961. Had the technology to build a foolproof strategic defense system been available then, that would have been the way to go. Anything else would have been considered MAD.

McNamara contends that if we build a strategic defense system China and Russia will build more offensive missiles. Is this really likely? They are expensive to build. Why would they build missiles if they knew that if launched they would only be shot down--possibly over their country?

The most important reason to build an antiballistic missile defense system, at this time, is to deter a rogue nation, like Iraq, or a terrorist group from even considering building nuclear missiles.

TERRANCE DOYLE

Lake Elsinore

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The flaw in McNamara’s argument that we should stick with the proven stability of mutually assured destruction, is contained in his own words, “There must be transparency among all nuclear powers so we all know each other’s intentions and capabilities.” How pray tell, Mr. McNamara, do we do this?

JOHN M. GILLIS

Manhattan Beach