Word: mx
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...Dense Pack is defeated, however, there is no dominant sentiment in Congress for killing the missile outright. The research and development funds enjoy general support, if only as a way to keep some pressure on Soviet negotiators at the Geneva talks. "There's only one argument for the MX-the bargaining chip," says a key Republican leader. "You've got to have MX to go to the table with the Russians...
...MX stands for Missile Experimental, which hardly inspires confidence. So President Reagan let it be known he wanted to rename it. The National Security Council suggested Themis, for the Greek goddess of order and justice. Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger's choice was Guardian Missile. National Security Adviser William Clark proposed Peacemaker, after the Colt .45 that belonged to his grandfather and now hangs on a wall in his office. This caught the President's fancy, but White House aides pointed out that the name Peacemaker might violate a copyright or, even worse, be twisted into a pejorative: Pacemaker...
Putting all of America's MX eggs in one basket seems to defy common sense. But there is a certain logic to Dense Pack that can only be understood in terms of the strange and fearsome technology involved. The closer the Soviet missiles come to the 21-sq.-mi. Wyoming strip, the closer they come to each other. When the first finally explodes just above its target, its apocalyptic power is turned against fellow Soviet missiles. Its blast, and those of any succeeding warheads that manage to detonate, would cause mutual missile annihilation known in the lexicon of strategic...
...obstructing rubble. Once launched, the MXs would be traveling much slower than the incoming Soviet missiles. Thus, as they rose through the cloud of dust and debris, the buildup of heat on their exteriors would not be disabling. Says Under Secretary of Defense Richard DeLauer: "We can fly the MX out before he [the Soviets] can fly his missiles...
...making the Soviets feel more vulnerable, the MX could derail arms control