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Missile Defense

Russian military leaders have expressed concern about US plans for a national missile defense system. Will defense technology be limited by possibilities for a strategic imbalance? Is this just SDI all over again?

almarst-2001 - 10:04pm Apr 14, 2001 EST (#2250 of 2255)

Robert,

I think you forgot again. I do not represent Russia. I am not even Russian. I probably am as cosmopolitan as one can be. My observations are purely personal as are my feelings. And my cosmopolitism, non-conformism and obsession to ask questions and not be satisfied with a simple answers probably are as much my strength as my weakness.

Alex.

lunarchick - 01:49am Apr 15, 2001 EST (#2251 of 2255)
lunarchick@www.com

re: almarst-2001 - 06:18pm Apr 14, 2001 EST (#2245 of 2250)

Recently the interesting paradox came to my mind:

The Generosity, Forgiveness and Self-Criticizm much easier can be shown by a Strong rather then a Weak (no danger to be viewed as a weakness).

And, it is a Strong which rarely has a compelling reason to show Generosity, Forgiveness and Self-Criticizm. Unless for the reason of Morality.

Therefore, the absence of Generosity, Forgiveness and Self-Criticizm from the Strong can be interpreted as a lack of Morality.

Strength, for a nation, should relate to the development of institutions, organisations, professional bodies and the like that develop structures and frameworks that offer guidance to those working within them. The leadership may change, but, the institions will plough on strongly and continue to do those things for which they were established.

Noted the Anglo-Russio Traders had their fourth annual conference. At the nuts and bolts of trade level their meetings relate to the need for Russia to have stability and transparency to develop trade, the get to gether enables networking and lets those with capital to invest meet people from the regions and projects under discussion. Moscow was no longer seen as a central focus, the regions of Russia are out and about looking to attract trade and investors.

The header for this board contains 'Russia' .. lead by Putin. An interesting thing here are developing perceptions of Putin the leader, Putin the Man, and Putin the survivor. Wasn't Putin welcomed in with the Millenium? It seems he wants to lay the foundations to rebuild Russia and get her accepted, as a power, Internationally. To do this and survive might entail Russia looking to take on mantles and blueprints of behaviour re commerce and trade adapted from the outside world. The pressure of outer bodies, with time frames, may assist Putin in keeping any greedy, gangster, power blocks within_bounds.

From the top of this post, it might be argued that what some people see as strength, others, might view as weakness. Real strength comes from encouraging and enthusing people to take take the right steps, walk the right paths, do what they do in a right and acceptable manner. Leadership is the empowerment of others.

lunarchick - 02:42am Apr 15, 2001 EST (#2252 of 2255)
lunarchick@www.com

Noted the slither of Russia that will be edging into the Common Market had the city of Konisberg ( it has a UK namesake). Konisberg has a famous cookery dish (was it meat and veg dumplings ?) : it also has bridges The Australian solution to the problem would be to put the river in a big drain and build over it!

lunarchick - 07:52am Apr 15, 2001 EST (#2253 of 2255)
lunarchick@www.com

Musical Satire FAQ's

lunarchick - 08:00am Apr 15, 2001 EST (#2254 of 2255)
lunarchick@www.com

""They have argued that their critical reporting of the problems besetting President Vladimir Putin's government - the prolonged war in Chechnya, the Kursk nuclear submarine catastrophe, the heating disasters which left hundreds of thousands of Russians battling the cold this winter - has prompted the government to act to stamp out their dissenting voice.

Opponents have pointed out the dispute between NTV and Gazprom is more complex than simply a fight for freedom of speech in the face of government repression, not least because Gazprom is owed $200m (£140m) in unpaid loans by NTV.

The true independence of Gusinsky's media holding has been called into question by those who remember how NTV abandoned its editorial objectivity in the run-up to the 1996 presidential election campaign, making a pact with powerful Russian business figures to ensure victory for Boris Yeltsin.

But liberal politicians, like the leader of the Yabloko party, Grigory Yavlinksy, who has been campaigning on behalf of NTV's former management, insist that the complexities of the situation deflect from the single crucial point at the heart of the crisis: that once NTV falls into state hands all Russia's national television channels will be loyal to the Kremlin. http://www.observer.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,473406,00.html

rshowalter - 08:06am Apr 15, 2001 EST (#2255 of 2255)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Need another channel or two. If Russia were more prosperous, that would be easier.

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