Visit the NASA NEO sites for real informagtion on asteroid impact detection, risk, and mitigation. EP is very loud, but frequently inaccurate as are most people who feel the need to curse and slander when making a point.

A key issue is that the real experts know there is no realistic answer to the hazard posed by comets as opposed to asteroids. Combine difficult detection, short lead time, high mass and high speed and you have a problem that is not currently within the grasp of our technology to handle. We need the technology of a truly spacefaring civilization to mitigate that threat. A civilization capable of using resources in space will also have far more tools available to divert errant objects. The biggest error that EP has made is the warped view that human exploration of space is at odds with protecting Earth. We can detect threats from asteroids at relatively low cost and increase expenditures to divert objects if needed. The space infrasructure needed to deal with comets can spin off from the higher powered rockets needed for manned spaceflight.

Regards,
Mark