Defense Secretary designate Donald Rumsfeld is right. We need to build a National Missile Defense system, but not so much to deter ballistic missiles, cyberspace attacks and terrorism, but to intercept asteroids, a real and present danger.

After watching “The World of National Geographic’s” program this past week on PBS, which detailed the long-range study of asteroids, I’m more fearful of a giant asteroid than of being shot at by Iraq.

These scientists predict that one collision with a giant asteroid would be equivalent in devastating power to a mega nuclear explosion. What the scientists failed to mention was the composition of such an asteroid that would cause such a blast. I haven’t a clue.

So we should get in touch with Rumsfeld right away if we want our fear level eased.

Nancy L. Blomquist

Belfast