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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?

Read Debates, a new Web-only feature culled from Readers' Opinions, published every Thursday.

rshow55 - 08:04pm Apr 21, 2002 EST (#1632 of 1650)

rshowalter - 04:16am Aug 29, 2001 EST (#8221 of 8231) . . . Robert Showalter mrshowalter@thedawn.com

MD8101 rshowalter 8/24/01 12:02pm

Showstoppers, when they happen, are usually simple.

In missile defense, there are many.

But they have to be explained.

lwjordan0 - 04:16am Aug 29, 2001 EST (#8222 of 8231)

Two of the three rogue nations who might attack with crude weapons mentioned in the story are Iraq and Iran. Israel is being bombed by Palestinians and their allies without even an airplane! Why would Iraq and/or Iran bother with a missle when a "?" could carry an A-bomb into NY harbor or Seattle etc. and set it off by pushing a button on his wrist? Most large population centers are adjacent to water. Why are we looking for missles we can't hit when the Middle East shows us a low tech answer.

rshowalter - 05:52am Aug 29, 2001 EST (#8223 of 8231) . . . Robert Showalter mrshowalter@thedawn.com

The motivation this administration is showing is plainly intense -- they want missile defense expenditure for reasons that they find compelling.

But the technical case, and the strategic case, make little or no sense -- they are such bad cases that the credibility of the United States, with allies and other countries, all over the world, is deteriorating at a rate that is historically unprecedented.

The United State is being besmirched.

A problem is that "the system" co-opts so effectively that dissent, within the United States, can be remarkably muted. . . .

Sometimes, it is necessary to look a little below the surface, and to have some memory, and some tolerance of complexity. The internet makes these things easier, but does not do away with the need for human responsibility and courage.

MD7562 rshowalter 7/29/01 4:48am makes some key if uncomfortable points.

rshowalter - 05:54am Aug 29, 2001 EST (#8224 of 8231) . . . . Robert Showalter mrshowalter@thedawn.com

Chain breakers: http://talk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?14@@.ee79f4e/618

rshow55 - 08:11pm Apr 21, 2002 EST (#1633 of 1650)

I was getting ready to move on some of the things reposted above, and September 11 changed some things. Now, it makes sense to move again.

MD1575-1576 rshow55 4/20/02 5:51pm

rshow55 - 08:24pm Apr 21, 2002 EST (#1634 of 1650)

I appreciate the chance to repost things I'll want to refer to. Here are postings before that last long sequence of reposts.

Noticed that that NUKE ME State is trying to stop... by lchic - Apr 21, 02 (#1607 of 1633) lchic 4/21/02 3:27pm

MD1595 mazza9 4/21/02 2:23pm asks an excellent,... by rshow55 - Apr 21, 02 (#1608 of 1633) rshow55 4/21/02 3:28pm

lchic 4/21/02 3:27pm - - whatever else can be... by rshow55 - Apr 21, 02 (#1609 of 1633) rshow55 4/21/02 3:31pm

RShow55:I appreicate the reposts... by mazza9 - Apr 21, 02 (#1610 of 1633) mazza9 4/21/02 4:20pm

RSHow55:Here's what I proposed at the Space... by mazza9 - Apr 21, 02 (#1611 of 1633) mazza9 4/21/02 4:54pm

Not knowing the value of money .. by lchic - Apr 21, 02 (#1612 of 1633) lchic 4/21/02 7:28pm

Saw an interesting movie on video last night - ... by rshow55 - Apr 21, 02 (#1613 of 1633) rshow55 4/21/02 7:40pm

Mazza, you're right in mazza9 4/21/02 4:20pm ... by rshow55 - Apr 21, 02 (#1614 of 1633) rshow55 4/21/02 7:42pm

Mazza , you asked ""What benefits would accrue... by rshow55 - Apr 21, 02 (#1615 of 1633) rshow55 4/21/02 7:44pm

These articles from the NYT adress questions of... by rshow55 - Apr 21, 02 (#1616 of 1633) rshow55 4/21/02 7:44pm

lchic - 08:51pm Apr 21, 2002 EST (#1635 of 1650)
USA - Missiles - Transparency --- really?!! NO! Not really.

If the American Presidental ROLE is also that of a WORLD President ... wrt making decisons and judgements that affect the world.

Then there's a case for that Office having to consult with the 'world' prior to decisions being made that affect the world.

A criteria referenced checklist for candidates might be interesting and worthwhile.

What do they have to offer, how do they 'think', what is their past record, what reforms have they introduced at lower levels.

Elsewhere the STATE does not ASK another person to KILL a prisoner. When people are the 'hangman' they suffer untold stresses that affects their life and health - especially when 1-in-7 of the Americans killed in this manner are actually innocent.

If State Governors want people killed - then they personally should do it - up close and personal -- and take the stresses ... be the hangman ... and suffer the personal consquences. Why expect 'others' to carry out this work. After all the Governor gets the higher remuneration.

WRT missiles - there would have to be exemplorary leadership systems in place, before nations would commit to just the USA holding those weapons.

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