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Missile Defense

Technology has always found its greatest consumer in a nation's war and defense efforts. Since the last attempts at a "Star Wars" defense system, has technology changed considerably enough to make the latest Missile Defense initiatives more successful? Can such an application of science be successful? Is a militarized space inevitable, necessary or impossible?

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almarst2003 - 02:21am Mar 30, 2003 EST (# 10754 of 10762)

International TV crews have shown horrific footage of civilian areas destroyed by Donald Rumsfeld’s precision weaponry in Baghdad. - http://english.pravda.ru/usa/2003/03/29/45311.html

almarst2003 - 02:27am Mar 30, 2003 EST (# 10755 of 10762)

NO. WE DIDN'T REACH THE TOP YET!

US soldiers in Iraq asked to pray for Bush - http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s819685.htm

They may be the ones facing danger on the battlefield, but US soldiers in Iraq are being asked to pray for President George W Bush.

Thousands of marines have been given a pamphlet called "A Christian's Duty," a mini prayer book which includes a tear-out section to be mailed to the White House pledging the soldier who sends it in has been praying for Bush.

"I have committed to pray for you, your family, your staff and our troops during this time of uncertainty and tumult. May God's peace be your guide," says the pledge, according to a journalist embedded with coalition forces.

The pamphlet, produced by a group called In Touch Ministries, offers a daily prayer to be made for the US president, a born-again Christian who likes to invoke his God in speeches.

Sunday's is "Pray that the President and his advisers will seek God and his wisdom daily and not rely on their own understanding".

Monday's reads "Pray that the President and his advisers will be strong and courageous to do what is right regardless of critics".

almarst2003 - 02:40am Mar 30, 2003 EST (# 10756 of 10762)

But there was a deep unease over the prospect of a foreign occupation of Iraq. The prospect seemed an affront to very qualities that Iraqis hold most dear: dignity, honor and respect.

"I don't think an occupation in any form will make Iraq better," said Abdel-Hassan. "I don't think people will accept this situation. Iraqis will try to resist, to end the occupation. Our country is well known for these things, resisting foreigners."

That tradition, a feature of Iraq's landscape for generations, stands in opposition to the image of the United States. Although residents said that no bombs or missiles had struck Saddam City, far from the centers of power, the menace of daily bombings has cast deep unease here as elsewhere in the capital, and the devastation at two markets this week that left dozens dead caused revulsion.

"You say you're going to change the regime and you kill civilians," said Fadhil, the customer. "If you say you're going to attack the regime, attack the regime, don't attack the people."

At Abdel-Hassan's home, cramped quarters of concrete walls with tea served on a plastic white chair, friends and relatives delivered estimates of the U.S. advance to Baghdad -- 50 miles, 60 miles, 75 miles. They spoke not with anticipation, but fear.

"To tell you the truth, we don't want the Americans in Baghdad," said Bassem Ibrahim, a 28-year-old friend. "We don't think a person who comes from the outside will make something better."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48861-2003Mar29.html

almarst2003 - 02:46am Mar 30, 2003 EST (# 10757 of 10762)

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) Thousands of Muslims who say they are ready for martyrdom have flocked to Iraq since the U.S.-led war began, a sign that a prolonged stay of U.S. and British forces may turn the country into a magnet for militants seeking a new jihad. - http://www.boston.com/dailynews/089/world/Martyrdom_seekers_flock_to_Ira:.shtml

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