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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.

lchic - 06:02pm Apr 22, 2003 EST (# 11391 of 11500)
~~~~ It got understood and exposed ~~~~

Megaprojects and Risk : An Anatomy of Ambition

Bent Flyvbjerg, Nils Bruzelius, Werner Rothengatter

http://www.cup.org/titles/searchResult.asp

Promoters of multi-billion dollar land-use development megaprojects systematically misinform parliaments, the public and the media in order to get them approved and built. This book not only explores these issues, but suggests practical solutions drawing on theory and scientific evidence from the several hundred projects in twenty nations and five continents. It is of interest to students, scholars, planners, economists, auditors, politicians and concerned citizens.

Reviews "Megaprojects and Risk: An Anatomy of Ambition" provides a fascinating look at the pervasiveness of misinformation in the planning of major construction projects and the systematic bias os such misinformation towards justifying project implementation. The power of its analysis is vastly reinforced by the range of cases examined, extending over 70 years and five continents. An extraordinary accomplishment, it will doubtless serve as the standard reference on this topic for many years to come." Alan Altshuler, Professor of Urban Policy and Planning, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

"Anyone concerned with public works projects, planning, and ethics in public policy should read this book. It provides a genuinely original perspective on why large complex projects often cost much more than their planners say they will and treats this problem as a fascinating puzzle involving technical methods, professional ethics and the politics of urban decision making." Martin Wachs, Director of Institute of Transportation Studies, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Professor of City and Regional Planning, University of California at Berkeley

"Flyvbjerg's damning analysis concentrates on a series of financial nightmares that should bring even the most casual reader out in a sweat." New Scientist

lchic - 06:06pm Apr 22, 2003 EST (# 11392 of 11500)
~~~~ It got understood and exposed ~~~~

Contents

1. The Megaprojects paradox

2. A calamitous history of cost overrun

3. The demand for Megaprojects

4. Substance and spin in Megaproject economics

5. Environmental impacts and risk

6. Regional and economic growth effects

7. Dealing with risk

8. Conventional Megaproject development

9. Lessons of privatisation

10. Four instruments of accountability

11. Accountable Megaproject decision making

12. Beyond the Megaprojects paradox

Appendix. Risk and accountability at work: a case study

Note : USA MD may be mentioned - is there a bigger megaproject around ?

lchic - 09:32pm Apr 22, 2003 EST (# 11393 of 11500)
~~~~ It got understood and exposed ~~~~

GU talk - Was Saddam on the USA payroll?

<a href="/webin/WebX?14@13.XJIJa8jQ8Yp.2124955@.f28e622/12957">lchic 4/22/03 5:51pm</a>

lchic - 09:44pm Apr 22, 2003 EST (# 11394 of 11500)
~~~~ It got understood and exposed ~~~~

see

http://talk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?128@@.4a91190b

lchic - 10:13pm Apr 22, 2003 EST (# 11395 of 11500)
~~~~ It got understood and exposed ~~~~

NK Kim - Rummy

USA ... "" should team up with China to press for the ouster of North Korea's leadership.

Mr. Rumsfeld's team, administration officials said, was urging diplomatic pressure for changing the government, not a military solution. But the classified memo, drafted by officials who are deeply opposed to opening talks that could eventually end up benefiting North Korea economically, shows how the handling of the crisis has become the newest subject of internal struggle over how to pursue Mr. Bush's determination to stop the spread of nuclear arms and other unconventional weapons.

http://www.etaiwannews.com/World/2003/04/23/1051061340.htm

China has 'The Games' to consider -- NK & SARS ... will Olympics happen at all ?

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