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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 - 04:33pm Sep 12, 2001 EST (#8853 of 8870)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

This article is worth careful reading in that regard.

. Elder Bush in Big GOP Cast Toiling for Top Equity Firm by LESLIE WAYNE http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/05/politics/05CARL.html

MD8659 rshowalter 9/8/01 1:35pm ... MD8660 rshowalter 9/8/01 1:48pm
MD8661 rshowalter 9/8/01 1:50pm

In the Eisenhower administration, there was an scandal, about undue influence. It concerned a fur coat -- a vicuna coat. Now, people in the Bush administration, and directly connected to the administration by strong ties of family or connection, have financial interest in government decisions. They act to influence and convey information about those decisions. The fact, and the huge sums involved, are disclosed, and the reaction is very muted.

Indecencies have accumulated, standards have eroded to a stunning degree, and "squeeze plays" involving information flows that are greatly to the disadvantage of other countries have accumulated.

These things need to be adressed.

The answer that "America is perfect -- it is everybody else who has to accomodate" isn't going to work.

Shouldn't work domestically. Can't be expected to work internationally.

. . .

On this thread, almarst has raised some very important questions about the good faith of the United States, and done so from a coherent point of view. His concerns should be adressed - - that is, if the United States expects "honorable conduct" -- in its behalf, from others.

rshowalter - 04:35pm Sep 12, 2001 EST (#8854 of 8870)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

There are reasons why we are hated in many parts of the world, and we should fix them.

To a very large extent, we can, and it would be in our interest, material as well as moral, to do so.

That doesn't mean we shouldn't fight terrorism. We should. But to do it effectively, we need to fix some things that most Americans would be ashamed of now, if they understood them.

rshowalter - 04:43pm Sep 12, 2001 EST (#8855 of 8870)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

The United States and our closest allies have had serious problems with a very "selective" justice, and that is a thing that many people have noticed, and resent. Almarst is bitter about the matter, and gives reasons I can understand. MD8744 rshowalter 9/10/01 9:26pm

If we are to expect the ultimate of good faith and "active justice" from others, we have to deal with some of our own problems, too.

Not continue to perpetrate frauds - - and not to thumb our nose at the interests of everyone else in the world except when we happen to be in trouble.

We also have a problem - - and people have noticed. We've been threatening people with nuclear weapons, for fifty years (certainly becq was clear about that) and people resent it. Some call American the biggest terrorists of all -- not long ago, there was an Aussie TV show, titled Rogue State. It was about the United States.

wrcooper - 04:49pm Sep 12, 2001 EST (#8856 of 8870)

Some call American the biggest terrorists of all -- not long ago, there was an Aussie TV show, titled Rogue State. It was about the United States.

You don't agree with this, do you? The U.S. inspires jealousy because it's a rich, powerful nation--the richest and most powerful. Many fanatical Muslims hate us because we're perceived as being largely Christian, or worse, secular. They hate our Enlightenment values; they hate our cultural influence. It's not because of what we do; it's because of who we are. They hate our defense of democracy; they hate and fear our freedom. Every tin-pot dictator and tyrant who rules with an iron fist or with fear hates our opennness. You don't really believe that crap about the U.S. being a global bad guy, do you? I pity you if you do.

rshowalter - 04:54pm Sep 12, 2001 EST (#8857 of 8870)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Cooper, let me post this, and get back to you.

(13 following messages)

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