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Missile Defense

Technology has always found its greatest consumer in a nation's war and defense efforts. Since the last attempts at a "Star Wars" defense system, has technology changed considerably enough to make the latest Missile Defense initiatives more successful? Can such an application of science be successful? Is a militarized space inevitable, necessary or impossible?

Read Debates, a new Web-only feature culled from Readers' Opinions, published every Thursday.

rshowalter - 11:12pm Mar 22, 2001 EST (#1354 of 11890)
Robert Showalter mrshowalter@thedawn.com

I made a suggestion, that if Russia was to understand how complex negotiations happened in American in ONE tough case, she'd learn much of what she needed to know to interact with us, and to catch us when we were playing unfairly, too.

An example that might be interesting to look at, that I'm involved with, is the subject of this message, on the NYT Mysteries of the Universe forum How the Brain Works

Jan 21, 2001 EST (#2203 of 2285)

I make some promises there that I'm lamentably late in keeping, becasue of my concerns with nuclear survival. But the case would be a good example - it shows almost every kind of complex negotiation that Americans do. rshowalter "How the Brain Works" 1/21/01 5:10pm starts:

In rshowalter 1/9/01 8:06am I said that I owed people, especially people at the NYT, and readers of these forums, explanations and apologies. I spent some days of uninterrupted time, trying to figure out how to adequately apologize and thank people on these forums, and at THE NEW YORK TIMES for the kindness and forbearance that they've shown me.

I’m finding that my situation is humanly complicated enough so that, if I am to avoid injustice to myself and others, I have to move very carefully, and in some cases, wait for events, and hope for grace, and the chance to be graceful.

I would be very honored, if this were used as a test case. With some observers watching, a good many problems in military negotiation might be clarified. And all concened, in the interaction involved here, are able, articulate, basically honest, and working, within their social rules, in good faith.

rshowalter - 11:49pm Mar 22, 2001 EST (#1355 of 11890)
Robert Showalter mrshowalter@thedawn.com

I'm signing off for tonight. Gotten tired. Feel some progress has been made.

lunarchick - 03:14am Mar 23, 2001 EST (#1356 of 11890)
lunarchick@www.com

"Any campaign of spy mania and searching for enemies brings deep regret... this is a fallback to the Cold War era."

On culture it's amazing that these EastEuropeans should give a damn. Who cares?

It's the old ONEforONE dance again ..too much irrational drama ... why didn't the EastEuros just coolly express concerns re a need to have awareness of the actions and antics of 'rogue super states' ... to ensure their national security. Presumably they have to expell one for one to get re-instated in USA via 'an exchange of numbers later' ... games... patterns ... ettiquettes ... and of interest to no-one.

lunarchick - 03:19am Mar 23, 2001 EST (#1357 of 11890)
lunarchick@www.com

Referring to America's planned missile defence programme, the US official said Mr Bush had reassured his guest that American would do nothing aimed against China.

"Nothing we do is a threat to you, and I want you to tell that to your leadership," President Bush was quoted as saying.

On the ultra-sensitive issue of US arms sales to Taiwan, Mr Bush had said no decision had been made yet.

lunarchick - 03:32am Mar 23, 2001 EST (#1358 of 11890)
lunarchick@www.com

US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Qian Qichen stressed positive aspects of US–Chinese relations as they met for wide–ranging discussions.

lunarchick - 03:37am Mar 23, 2001 EST (#1359 of 11890)
lunarchick@www.com

Perhaps Mr Putin et al discovered that there had been a lack of investment in this crucial public service, same author

lunarchick - 03:40am Mar 23, 2001 EST (#1360 of 11890)
lunarchick@www.com

Perhaps Mr Putin et al discovered that there had been a lack of investment in this crucial public service, But I am not in favour of the agencies creeping round the world at our expense listening to each other go to the toilet.

As Al Gore put it 18 months ago, silly games go on because "old attitudes in both countries fade away slowly. Sometimes agencies want to use old attitudes as an excuse for old budgets and old personnel rosters. And then the other side has to spend the same amount." Or expel the same number.

David.Aaronovitch@btinternet.com

same author

(10530 following messages)

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