Kevin posted a video from an aviation enthusiast in Seattle who suggests that mystery missile was an LAX contrail. That's the first thing that popped into my mind, too, having seen so many of those over the years. Plus, when a missile does launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, there's always this glittery, oily-looking ring in the sky, much more UFO-ish than the pink plume that's causing such a stir right now.

So here's a contrail from our archives (lit from beneath at dawn so the contrail is casting a shadow of itself on the clouds) to add to this life-and-death debate.

Up next -- is the Tea Party stuffing the Bristol Palin ballot box on DWTS? Stay tuned!