Russel Honore -- the colorful leader of the military's response to Hurricane Katrina -- said that the joint task force mission was nearing its end stage, barring any further destruction from Hurricane Rita.

CNN: Military's Katrina mission nears end

In the second stage, consolidation, structural changes such as the formation and destruction of connections between nerve cells take place.

ECONOMIST: Memory and emotion: Thanks for no memory | The

He asserts that even if a missile interceptor succeeded in effecting a boost-phase "kill" on an incoming missile (that is during the early stage of its trajectory when it is moving relatively slowly, easily identified and vulnerable to destruction), its warhead might continue on and land in friendly territory with devastating effect.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Strategy of a Thousand Cuts