Astroid Threat of the 21st Century

Just 2 months into the new year of 2007 presented some dangerous issues to the world. This time an astroid which astronomers have named Apophis has been spotted on course heading straight towards the earth and for some have been coming in a bit too close for comfort. Apophis which measures to 436 feet long has a 1 in 45,000 chance of striking the earth and has the power and velocity to eliminate an entire city or reigon off the map. This asteroid if unattended is expected to strike on April 13, 2036. The U.N. is strongley adviced to begin a space program to thwart the threart and one of the proposals that is put under consideration is to gently tug the asteroid for 12 days and steer it away from the earth. This mission and other space missions to deflect the astroid are at a minimum estimate of 300 million dollars.In my opinion as like others this asteroid is coming too close for comfort and I strongley advise to speed up the planning of the asteroid deflection.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/02/09/asteroid.deflector.reut/index.html