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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 - 04:18pm May 7, 2001 EST (#3426 of 3480)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

1345: almarst-2001 3/22/01 10:20pm ..and 1349: almarst-2001 3/22/01 10:46pm ... showed a reaction to bombing:

"In my view, the 72 days and nights of bombing of Serbia had the very dramatic and negative effect on international relations, arms race and the American image. For me, this one episode was sufficient to completely chenge my oppinion on Clinton's presidency.

"Little did I care about his personal affairs, even I think it was very wrong, but for the different reason - he put the president of the greatest superpower in a danger to be blackmailed. This is absolutly recless and in my view, deserve impeachement.

"But to bomb and destroy the civilian infrustructure of a country, killing at least 500 civilians and causing the direct damage of about $60bn, dropping more bombs then this country received during WWII was plainly criminal.

"This was a turning point when a Post-Cold War good will was lost. And not just of Russia.

"That event clearly illustrated the need to ensure that aggression has to have consequences for agressor. That realisation makes nuclear disarmament at current disballance of conventional power unrealistic.

"Not incidently, just after coming to power (again for the same reason), Putin modified the Russian military doctrine to permit the first use of a tactical nuclear wearpons.

" If not for this war, may be even American NMD would be seen much more favorably, rather then an attempt to neutralise the deterrent one may have against overhelming US conventional military. (emphasis supplied.)

rshowalter - 04:21pm May 7, 2001 EST (#3427 of 3480)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Now, whether "almarst" has anything to do with the Russian government, I can only judge from context -- and others might judge differently.

But he's expressed a reaction that, I believe, corresponds to some Russian reactions.

And a higher level of good will than that expressed needs to be worked out before "missile defense" will be looked on as benign.

rshowalter - 04:25pm May 7, 2001 EST (#3428 of 3480)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

If Americans could see how they look to some other people, they could deal with situations they are now blind to, and there would be new possibilities for progress toward stability and peace.

possumdag - 05:30pm May 7, 2001 EST (#3429 of 3480)
Possumdag@excite.com

RS: I'm an alternative energy person - green and clean - and have put a few venture dollars into one such venture that isn't up and running - quite!

On Nuclear Power Stations .. a nephew (aged 10) returning from a coastal holiday close to the UK's most imfamous had pain in his leg, this had to be amputated, below the knee. The thought was there was nuclear discharge in the water he'd been playing in.

possumdag - 05:34pm May 7, 2001 EST (#3430 of 3480)
Possumdag@excite.com

Noting this GU posting, it's a wonder that the crew from the spy plane were released so swiftly :)

rshowalter - 05:41pm May 7, 2001 EST (#3431 of 3480)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

I think nuclear power has problems -- whether it injures as many people as coal ash and SOx emissions, I don't know. But it could be made both safer and cleaner, if the "everything classified -- everything hocus pocus" ethos of the weapons lab hadn't washed so completely over the field. I think it is worth a look, even though I'm sorry about your nephew.

rshowalter - 05:52pm May 7, 2001 EST (#3432 of 3480)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Where this thread has been, and a Russian point of view:
2381: rshowalter 4/18/01 6:11pm
2382: rshowalter 4/18/01 6:36pm

possumdag - 06:23pm May 7, 2001 EST (#3433 of 3480)
Possumdag@excite.com

America is kicked off another international seat - re Drugs .... seems as if the International Community are sending Bwsh a MESSAGE .. the message seems to be 'we can do without you' .. is that everybody's take ?

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