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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.

manjumicha2001 - 09:13pm Feb 26, 2002 EST (#11879 of 11890)

Why not,

I sure seems like a nice & clean way to settle the score and go out with a big bang?

rshow55 - 09:22pm Feb 26, 2002 EST (#11880 of 11890)

The emotive slogan in "Superman" comics, and movies, is

. Truth, justice, and the American way . . .

For any workable way of life, truth has to be fundamental-- because decisions have to be made, and people have to be able to cooperate and act in good faith.

Sometimes, America needs to be more careful about living up to its slogans.

. TRUTH, RIGHT AND THE AMERICAN WAY A Nation Defined by Its Enemies By ROBERT F. WORTH http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/24/weekinreview/24WORT.html

If our objective is reducing our risk, and the world's risk, from weapons of mass destruction, we need solutions that are workable in technical and human terms.

rshow55 - 09:33pm Feb 26, 2002 EST (#11881 of 11890)

MD11654 lchic 2/20/02 6:43am ... MD11655 rshow55 2/20/02 7:15am
MD11656 rshow55 2/20/02 7:32am ... MD11657 rshow55 2/20/02 12:17pm

almarst-2001 - 10:35pm Feb 26, 2002 EST (#11882 of 11890)

"as other nations have to expect to work to convince the United States."

The US has the military and economical-market power to the extend, not many nations are willing to risk the confrontation.

How many stood up against bombing of Yugoslavia even as the majority of a population was against this action. Incredibly, the population in many Europen countries stood up even under the unprecedented propaganda and missinformation compain, not seen since Dr. Gebbels.

But Robert, could you please tell me what would stop the US to attack N.K.? Or Iraq? Or Iran? Or Cuba? Any country labeled as Evil-de-Jour by the US Commander-in-chief.

If it was done against Serbia - it can happen to anyone else. The brutal force and money seems to rule this "Wonderland". And only the fear of retaliation seems to deter the agression.

mazza9 - 10:46pm Feb 26, 2002 EST (#11883 of 11890)
Louis Mazza

almarst-2001.

What are you? American, European or just plain fool?

"..could you please tell me what would stop the US to attack N.K.? Or Iraq? Or Iran?

When Japan conquered Korea who came to their rescue? When Iran was threatened by the Soviet Union who was seeking that warm water port that was a Russian aim since the times of the Czars?

Who has a red S on their chest and stand for TRUTH JUSTICE AND..... well we all know the ending.

When Gen MacArthur proposed the use of nuclear weapons on NK and Communist Chinese forces during the Korean conflict, who got fired? I don't know what history book you refer to with all your punditry but it is about as twisted as I've ever heard.

Now it's your turn to call me a NAZI or use some other ad hominem attack to mask your ignorance.

Have a nice day.

LouMazza

almarst-2001 - 10:48pm Feb 26, 2002 EST (#11884 of 11890)

Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutly.

It is my firm believe only the credible deterrance can cool some "hot heads" and prevent it from commiting the crimes.

Unfortunatly, it seems, only the power can touch their senses. Not a considerations of morality.

almarst-2001 - 11:05pm Feb 26, 2002 EST (#11885 of 11890)

"When Japan conquered Korea who came to their rescue?"

The US exercised the naval blocade against Japan in order to prevent it to become a regional power. In order to protect the British Empire and its own colony in Philipines. That was the reason for war. And nothing else.

As for Korea, I suggest you count the number of bombs US dropped there as well as in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. The number of death. The destruction. The up-to-day comsequences.

"When Gen MacArthur proposed the use of nuclear weapons on NK and Communist Chinese forces during the Korean conflict, who got fired?"

Indeed. What a humanism! The US could kill all of them... and didn't. And what did they do to US to be attacked and bombed in a first place? Could it be the US realised that at this point, unlike Hirosima, the Russia had the N-bomb as well. That - the credible deterrance - was the only reason not to use the nuclear weapons.

manjumicha2001 - 11:19pm Feb 26, 2002 EST (#11886 of 11890)

Also that would be the only reason US is not bombing those "evil" NKs right now like they did Serbians? Just a thought.

almarst-2001 - 11:22pm Feb 26, 2002 EST (#11887 of 11890)

mazza,

It is very disturbing to see people like you who do not recognise the horror of crimes committed by US forces around the World. Call me ignorant?

kate_nyt - 12:39am Feb 27, 2002 EST (#11888 of 11890)
Senior Community Producer, NYTimes.com

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