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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.

rshow55 - 07:24pm Feb 16, 2002 EST (#11587 of 11603)

We should be acting to reinforce ourselves, and our culture, and to destabilize the aspects of our enemies that make them our enemies.

There are basic human needs, and knowing them gives a sense of both how we are strong, and how we are fragile. And how our enemies are strong, and how they are fragile. We are MUCH stronger, and less fragile, than our enemies if we just play it straight, on issues of fact and straight dealing, and do things that make military sense. Including things needed for effective deterrance, and effective interdiction.

Here are some basic, universal relationships that we need to take into account -- and that make our opportunities clear.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs by William G. Huitt
Image: http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/regsys/maslow.gif
Essay: http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/regsys/maslow.html
also listed, with comments, in rshowalter 9/24/01 11:05am

Berle's Laws of Power from Power by Adolf A. Berle . . . 1969 ... Harcourt, Brace and World, N.Y. set out in
MD1066 rshowalter 3/16/01 5:36am

We have to use the force we have - - but ideas also matter. Berle's laws of power include this

Three: Power is invariably based on a system of ideas of philosophy. Absent such a system or philosophy, the institutions essential to power cease to be reliable, power ceases to be effective, and the power holder is eventually displaced.

Our ideas and ideals, when we live up to them, are vigorous. The system of "ideas" that the terrorists have are contradictory and fragile.

The United States depends on technical competence and straight dealing -- Enronation works against us.

We need to force the terrorists, and the cultures that support to them, to confront the lies and evasions that support terror, and keep them poor. Peace and stability in the long term require that we destabilize these cultures in this way -- enough for our own safety, and for human decency.

For us to be able to do that, we have to be competent and honest ourselves.

If we were, we'd have almost the whole world behind us -- and terrorism would shrivel.

We waste more than resources when we squander our treasure on MD programs that can't work, and cold war weapons that don't matter. We should spend those resources in the national interest. And build our credibility by competent actions, not stupid actions.

mazza9 - 11:05pm Feb 16, 2002 EST (#11588 of 11603)
Louis Mazza

RShow55

"A distraction?" I was pointing out that the North Korean regime is a hereditary dictatorship. The rule of law has NO meaning in that society and it is foolhardy to make personal deals with tyrants.

It appears that the COIL is also slated for use in tactical applications as well.

Son of Spectre

Maybe Saddam can dress in an aluminum suit and deflect the COIL's energy. He'd fit the part of the Tin Man since he doesn't have a heart!

LouMazza

lchic - 04:00am Feb 17, 2002 EST (#11589 of 11603)

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lchic - 04:05am Feb 17, 2002 EST (#11590 of 11603)

RuleOfLaw
US InstituteOfPeace

rshow55 - 09:13am Feb 17, 2002 EST (#11591 of 11603)

This is hopeful, and with some good faith and work, might be momentous. Some things get better. When people are willing to acknowledge the truth , and have a sense of proportion, much is possible. If a few initiatives such as this, in a few areas, could come to fruition -- how much better the world would be!

An Intriguing Signal From the Saudi Crown Prince By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/17/opinion/17FRIE.html

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