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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?

rshowalter - 04:53pm Apr 19, 2001 EST (#2401 of 2404)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Inside the dustcover of NEWS AND THE CULTURE OF LYING: How Journalism Really Works --- Free Press, 1994 . . . there's interesting stuff: rshowalter 3/22/01 8:11am
rshowalter 3/22/01 8:22am

There are weaknesses in our system that Russians should know about, and maybe find ways to avoid. rshowalter 3/22/01 8:37am

But there are big strengths, too, and Russia would be better off if she matched them -- in a public spirited but free press.

Just surrendeing to authoritarian ways isn't going to be in Russia's interest (though order must be maintained, and reasonable people understand that -- Russia needs more order.)

rshowalter - 04:58pm Apr 19, 2001 EST (#2402 of 2404)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Radical lawlessness, which is in some ways what Russia has now, is no good solution for any society -- and perhaps Russia can find useful things to learn from China, which, for all its faults, does often do reasonable things, and does often maintain order.

The radical free doctrines of the "carefree West", with Russia as she now is, may not be entirely workable, at least for a while.

But perhaps Russia can find a middle way, and do so in ways that get the best of other systems, without many disadvantages. Something to work for.

One way or another -- Russia needs to know the TRUTH about problems - so that things can be corrected. Lies are, and have long been, Russia's worst enemy -- they have kept a very able, hardworking people poor and alientated -- and stumped, when correct information about specific details would have made for actions both more practical and more humane.

rshowalter - 05:02pm Apr 19, 2001 EST (#2403 of 2404)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Here are some of the postinga about press freedom on this thread, from 2088-2089. I've labeled almarst postings as "neoPutin" because I think that is the role he's serving in this.

"For over a decade now the beacon of a free press in Russia has been the independent Television station NTV. "---2028 lunarchick 4/6/01 5:53am

2029 rshowalter 4/6/01 6:34am

2030 (with links) rshowalter 4/6/01 6:50am

2031 (with links) rshowalter 4/6/01 7:08am

2037: (from "neoPutin" ) rshowalter 4/6/01 7:08am

2045 (re 2037A - deal making) rshowalter 4/6/01 11:37am

2048 - "neoPutin" -- coverage of war crimes tribunal almarst-2001 4/6/01 11:53am

2049: re 2037B -- Press freedom mechanics rshowalter 4/6/01 12:06pm

2050: "neoPutin" ref on www.fair.org almarst-2001 4/6/01 12:10pm

2051: checkable feedback for truth rshowalter 4/6/01 12:10pm

2052: "Putin" -- democratic rights are a high price to pay for free trade + anger at Thomas Friedman almarst-2001 4/6/01 12:21pm

2055: rshowalter 4/6/01 12:57pm

2056: rshowalter 4/6/01 12:58pm

2057: Russia, as a nation, and a government, needs to stop lying rshowalter 4/6/01 1:00pm

2058: suggestions rshowalter 4/6/01 1:04pm

2062 -- links re good press for Vladimir Putin in NYT rshowalter 4/6/01 1:19pm

rshowalter - 05:04pm Apr 19, 2001 EST (#2404 of 2404)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

A question -- are Russians clear about what they want in the way of press services? Their wishes surely matter a lot. Are these wishes discussed to clarity -- understood -- and acted on?

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