Minnesota Meeting: James Abrahamson on Reagan's "Star Wars" defense plan

August 6, 1984 - Lieutenant General James Abrahamson, the director of the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization, speaking at Minnesota Meeting. SDI is a group which is conducting research on the possible use of lasers, particle beams, and other high technology methods of defending against a Soviet missile attack. The plan was proposed last March by President Reagan, and quickly became known as the "star wars" defense plan. After speech, Abrahamson answers listener questions. General Abrahamson is a former test pilot. He trained as an astronaut. He directed NASA's space shuttle project until this past April, when the president appointed him to direct the strategic defense project. Minnesota Meeting is a non-profit corporation which hosts a wide range of public speakers. It is managed by the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.