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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 - 04:37pm Jun 29, 2001 EST (#6301 of 6310)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

The Russians seem to think that they're dealing with powerful, merciless, deeply corrupt monsters, who have much in common with the Nazis.

Looking at much of the behavior of this administration - I find it hard not to sympathize with the question. We should check some things -- to find out if there is a problem here -- and fix it.

In the cause of peace, in the cause of American values, and in the cause of common decency, as that idea is broadly shared all over the world.

An accounting of military expenditures, capable of picking up massive fraud, can be done. Going back thirty years or more. So can an accounting of how a few conspicuous right wing angels came by their money.

We should find these things out.

Maybe nobody gets convicted -- but if the crimes have been committed -- the values of the United States depend on finding this out.

This is a question that should be discussable in America -- if it is not -- then America has lost a great deal.

rshowalter - 05:06pm Jun 29, 2001 EST (#6302 of 6310)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Russia Open to ABM Changes, Top General Says By REUTERS

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia is open to changes to the 1972 ABM treaty, which bans a missile defense system planned by the United States, news agencies quoted a top Russian general as saying on Friday. http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-arms-ru.html

General Says Russia Willing to Talk by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MOSCOW (AP) -- A top general said Russia is willing to discuss how to ward off missile threats that worry the United States -- but will insist on sticking to the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty that bans nationwide missile defense, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported Friday. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Russia-US-Defense.html

Flexibility within an interdependent context.

gisterme - 05:21pm Jun 29, 2001 EST (#6303 of 6310)

rshowalter wrote: ( rshowalter 6/29/01 5:06pm ) "...Flexibility within an interdependent context..."

Does that come as a surprise to you, Robert?

rshowalter - 05:24pm Jun 29, 2001 EST (#6304 of 6310)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

No.

applez101 - 05:55pm Jun 29, 2001 EST (#6305 of 6310)

Rshowalter -

"How much of our military function -- has been based on fraud."

This is a nonsequitor you know; almost by definition, military development and build-up outside of an actual war is naturally fraudulent!

lunarchick - 06:06pm Jun 29, 2001 EST (#6306 of 6310)
lunarchick@www.com

Fraud, conflict of interest, Nazi methodology ...

rshowalter - 06:11pm Jun 29, 2001 EST (#6307 of 6310)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Maybe just a pattern that seems that way, but has another explanation. But a great deal fits -- enough, I believe, that some things should be checked.

I bet soldiers would be glad for that. And people who care seriously about the Republican party, too.

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