Now I know that technically ICBMs can reach the lower layers of what many consider space, and I have my own problems with them. However, I am talking about putting weapons on satellites, space stations, space craft, or the moon for the purpose of hitting targets on the Earth without a chance of retribution. That is entirely the wrong kind of space race.
I was deeply bothered when the U.S. decided to show its technological might by shooting one of its own satellites out of the sky. I was in no way surprised when the Chinese shortly followed suit. Nor was I surprised when the U.S. expressed its hypocritical outrage at the fact. This kind of competition should be actively discouraged.
And yet we keep cutting our space exploration budgets. What will happen when China becomes the first country to create a settlement on the moon and then we soon after discover that they have the capability to fire warheads or rail guns from it? It is not as far off or as far-fetched of an idea as you might think. We are losing the initiative in space, and while we were able to catch up the last time that happened, the Soviet Union didn't have anything even close to the economy that China is developing.
We need to get back out there, innovating and exploring, for if we don't go out there with peaceful, scientific intentions, someone else will fill the void.