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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 - 10:16am Apr 29, 2003 EST (# 11416 of 11500)
Can we do a better job of finding truth? YES. Click "rshow55" for some things Lchic and I have done and worked for on this thread.

If a deal with the North Koreans included means to open up information flows - so that N. Koreans are informed about BASIC facts - then a great deal of aid would be justified. If the population of N. Korea fully understood the sacrifices they were making - and the reasons for them - there would be adjustments.

Why exactly are N. Korean policies justified that result in children badly stunted by malnutrition - and lives improverished in many, many ways?

In times past, there were better reasons than now exist. But there are NO reasons for these sacrifices that can be honestly explained to the N. Korean population now.

It seems to me that if inspections were real and reliable, and information flows reasonably open - aid equal to our costs, direct and indirect, from garrisoning S. Korea would be a sensible place to start.

One thing ought to be clear. Nuclear weapons are extermination weapons. They have no sane military use - nor any sane political use - and especially no sane military use for a minor power. They convey little or nothing more than a right to commit mass murder - and then national suicide.

Or, for a radical Islamist group - the "right" to mobilize resources against their cause far, far in excess of any mobilized now.

fredmoore - 10:26am Apr 29, 2003 EST (# 11417 of 11500)

North Korea ....

The Mouse That Roared.

That's a real fine Dutchy of Fenwick you've gotten us into Stanley!

Kim Jong Il a closet Peter Sellers fan?

mazza9 - 12:19pm Apr 29, 2003 EST (# 11418 of 11500)
"Quae cum ita sunt" Caesar's Gallic Commentaries

You can give your wallet to the theif who announces "You wallet or your life!"

Unfortunately, this has been the source of most pain and suffering ever since Oog demanded the hind quarter of the mastadon that Goog had hunted and killed for his family.

Law and order was established. Muggings are supposed to go away.

Why not advise North Korea that they are to behave and dismantle their nuclear program or they will recieve more WB-51s they they would care to absorb!

I say let's offer them the opportunity to behave or regime change will be conducted. I don't think it'll take 4 weeks to reduce this paper tiger!

fredmoore - 03:57pm Apr 29, 2003 EST (# 11419 of 11500)

Lou ....

'I say let's offer them the opportunity to behave or regime change will be conducted. I don't think it'll take 4 weeks to reduce this paper tiger! '

Nah! It would never get thru the UN. Heaven knows what deals the French, Germans amd Russians are doing with NK!

But they (NK) don't have OIL .... so .... Who knows?

Cheers

mazza9 - 06:36pm Apr 29, 2003 EST (# 11420 of 11500)
"Quae cum ita sunt" Caesar's Gallic Commentaries

They don't have oil because China turned off the spiggot. China's advances in Africa are oil related. Their Billion plus population are growing more sophisticated.

In the long run China will be more interested in their developing economy and capitalistic perks like computers, cars and cell phones. Think they give a rat's behind about that small nuisance on their flank. And China definitely doesn't want a nuclear Japan on their doorstep.

You stand up to a bully, (like Saddam, Mugabe, Castro et al), and the world becomes a safer place. Smack 'em in the chops and see!

lchic - 09:11pm Apr 29, 2003 EST (# 11421 of 11500)
~~~~ It got understood and exposed ~~~~

Getting into MIND DEFENSES

how to climb those solid fences?

Absolute ....

What happens to 'minds' as they move towards being 'absolute-minds' ... at what point along the curve of humanity does respect for others dimish ... why are absolute leaders happy to live in luxury while the people are hungry?

The inner circle is 'we' is 'us'

The near outer circle 'other' or 'them'

Put concentric cirlces around an 'absolute' ... who are the 'we' and 'other'?

What are the bonds ... what is the glue that sticks ... so many are shaken-off - 'sacrificed'

What are the mechanisms?

They repeat and repeat and repeat!

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