Weaponising Space

I'm for it.

I say this first because everyone else seems to be against it, so let me first acknowledge what I believe are the problems with weaponising space and causing a new arms race.

Valid Problems

1. It'll be expensive
2. It may cause WWIII
3. Could be very bad for diplomacy/international reputation
4. It could divert attention away from more productive developments.
   

Erm that's about it that I can think of, granted the second problem is a big worry, but MAD has worked so far...

Invalid Problems

1. Ideas about keeping space as a pristine wilderness
2. Space should be only for research and peaceful use
   

Well first off anyone who thinks the first really just does not realise how big space is, nore the concept of light speed. There will always be more wilderness.
As for the second, that's a symptom of watching too much star trek; if the singularity ever occurs then maybe, just maybe we'll be rid of wars. Until that day man will always be at war with each other.

So what do I see as the advantages of weaponising space.

1. I believe that getting the military into space is probably the quickest way to get humanity into space.
2. Space development has been lacking recently mostly because the general population asks why spend money in space. Protecting yourself or conquering others would be a good reason to.
3. Compare the merits of being the first and the last to develop a military technology.

Let's take 1 first:
I think the most important thing for humanity as a species is survival. Second I think comes quality of life. getting humanity into space will achieve both of these; maybe not in the short term, but certainly in the long term.The military is well known for throwing all resources available at an endeavour and being somewhat careless about individual human lives for the greater cause. This may be what is needed to get early space technology working.
Hopefully 2 should be obvious.
As for point 3: From machine guns, to rifle factories to atomic weapons; wouldn't you want to be among the first to do this

A final point was that for the first few countries to do it, weaponising space might be expensive, but look at how lucrative the arms trade is to Britain, France, USA, Russia...