[El Gato]

If we REALLY took this seriously, we would bomb the launch site before the missile got airborne!

Or least send the the Airborne Laser(ABL) or other boost phase intercept system, to zap it when it's most vulnerable.

But The Messaih would not do that, any more than he'd bomb the launch site. It's still somewhat ambiguous what the target might be during the boost phase, at least the early part of it.

[TLI]

Or least send the Airborne Laser(ABL) or other boost phase intercept system, to zap it when it's most vulnerable.

Unlikely...

Missile defense took a $1.4 billion, or 15%, hit in the Gates-Obama proposed 2010 budget. Several promising programs such as the airborne laser were put on the shelf.

Perhaps they have one or two prototypes they could use?