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?
ObserverTalk at 02:55am May 18, 2003 BST
It is probably the most difficult question in international
politics. The west's closest ally in the Middle East has one
of the worst human rights records in the region and has long
been at the heart of the export of terror.
Last week's bombings brought these tensions to the fore.
But western pressure for change could prove counterproductive
- while any successor regime to the House of Saud would
probably be even more extreme. Will pressure for change come
from within or without? Given the west's long record of
support for the discredited House of Saud, is there any hope
now of avoiding a pro-bin Laden regime eventually emerging?
What is to be done? Leading experts Abdel Bari Atwan,
Rosemary Hollis and Malise Ruthven give their views http://observer.co.uk/worldview/story/0,11581,958615,00.html
Nick Cohen: Our friends the Sauds - why Britain allows
Saudi Arabia's corrupt ruling house to get away with murder http://observer.co.uk/worldview/story/0,11581,958502,00.html
Mary Riddell: Now we have to think again - If the war in
Iraq was a gift to bin Laden, then the Saudi bombings were a
thank you note http://observer.co.uk/worldview/story/0,11581,958484,00.html
-------------------------------------------------
calpancho - 03:00am May 18, 2003 BST (#1 of 77)
The regime is already infested with bin Ladenists. The
emergence of a fully pro-bin Laden regime is casus belli. At
least we could end this disgusting pretense that ....
bbbuck
- 12:57am May 19, 2003 EST (#
11784 of 11791)
Komodos are tricky house pets. And they breed prodigiously.
Have your komodo wear protection or you risk infestation.
lchic
- 01:13am May 19, 2003 EST (#
11785 of 11791)
~~~~ It got understood and exposed
~~~~
The cyclist_season never closes -- take care!
> Foul-mouthed Dragons: Although the
Komodo dragon doesn't breath fire, it's mouth contains
death. It has a mouthful of sharp teeth similar to that of
sharks. The saliva of the dragon also contains at least 4
types of toxic bacteria. The dragon’s tooth serrations
harbor bits of meat from the dragon's last meal. Komodo
dragons also frequently bite through their own gums as they
eat. The saliva and blood combination and the protei- rich
residue in the teeth provide an ideal culture for the
bacteria. These make the dragon's breath quite foul! A
Komodo's bite causes profuse bleeding and are slow to heal.
Although a dragon is not always successful in immediately
bringing down a large animal, the bitten animal usually dies
soon after, usually within a week. Infected by the bacteria,
its wounds become infected and turn septic (septicemia). The
Komodo dragon tracks the weakened animal, harassing it until
the animal finally dies.
> However, if a Komodo is bitten by
another Komodo, it doesn't suffer any ill effects. The
anti-coagulating properties of the Komodo's saliva, and
natural immunity to each other's saliva is being
investigated for human medical applications. For more on
this see Could the Dragon's Bite Help Us Stay Well?
http://www.szgdocent.org/cc/c-komodo.htm
lchic
- 01:22am May 19, 2003 EST (#
11786 of 11791)
~~~~ It got understood and exposed
~~~~
http://www.oecdobserver.org/
bbbuck
- 01:23am May 19, 2003 EST (#
11787 of 11791)
One of my favorite books, 'Cycling thru Komodo country'
offers these tips.....
Don't poke them or taunt them with loud rap music.
Honk when you pass them to avoid startling them.
Only stop at designated "no komodo's zone" hostels.
Do not feed the komodos with non-certified komodo food.
You ask, what kind of food is certified komodo food? See
Ivegot_a_komodo_what_and_the_hell_do_I_feed_it.com
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