"Schweickart wants to see the United Nations adopt procedures for assessing asteroid threats and deciding if and when to take action."

Hmmm, taking into account how well they have handled up to now the current task of 'assessing military threats and deciding if and when to take action' up to now, I think I'll start building my own shelter deep in a rocky mountain...


"gravity tractor"

hmmm, would need a substantial mass - which would also be attracted towards the asteroid - thus should be heavier than the asteroid to divert the asteroid by any noticeable amount - acting over a considerable length of time....

Would like to see their maths - (on the physics!) apart from the ones on the money they should get.... :-)