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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 - 06:44am Nov 11, 2003 EST (# 17228 of 17268)
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.

In a world where facts are essentially never checked when somebody with real power actually objects - some problems are insoluble and some risks are unavoidable.

Including risks involving huge losses to the world - and chronic problems involving the wastage of hundreds of lives that ought not to be wasted, every hour - hour after hour - day, month and year after year - without limit.

That's a hopeful think to know. There are very great opportunities associated with improved checking, and improved exception handling. Are the costs and risks prohibitive? Are gains impossible? That depends on details. I don't think reasonable hope for large improvements has been classified out of existence.

Fear is a big issue - not considered enough. Everybody has things they are afraid of, often for excellent reasons.

People (and nations) have to find better ways of protecting each other. Information flows - which are part of all human action - have to be involved.

A simple fact is that most of the people and interests who have something to lose must also have something to gain from any such change. Or it will be blocked.

Except, sometimes, changes can't be blocked within the rules. But orderly, symmetric, harmonious accomodations can practically always be blocked - without some complex negotiations to identify what needs to be done - then to figure out how to actually do it - and do it stably .

Eisenhower put me on the job of finding stable patterns of complex negotiation because, in his experience, this was the key problem. Just one man's opinion. But a specially informed man. For a long time, enough for me to keep at it. I think we now do know enough - and do have the tools - to do better, more stable complex negotiations than have been possible before.

Not just talk about them. That's a reason why, though I very much want this thread to be archived - I also want it to end. So I can actually act - and not be tied up fencing and talking here.

bbbuck - 07:45am Nov 11, 2003 EST (# 17229 of 17268)

First of all let's get some facts checked. Ok jack?

The picnic is being held in Chester, Nebraska, USA [that's the United States of America for you foreigners out there] - check it jack.

Secondly no space shuttle barbeque jokes are legal in Nebraska. [all of Nebraska including Chester] - check it idiot. "idiot check jack - check it"

We will be screening the movie "Crossfire" as part of our Missile Bazaar / Defense activities.

It's a good movie that is filled with threats and some actual carrying thru with threats. Bring a buddy. [It's not a date movie]

This "Woman on the Beach" looks good too. Maybe we'll screen that one too.

Robert Ryan "Let's face it I'm not well".

Quote of the Day care of Imdb.com

The Master Race

Lloyd Bridges, who plays Frank Bartoc utters the immemorial bit of dialogue "When the Lord made people, he had a great idea!" .

The movie "The Master Race" will not be screened. Though it seems to be a fine movie.

I hope this clears up this confusion on Chester, Nebraska.

buck-picnic coordinator

PS. The theme of the picnic is "On to 20,000 - Jack"

cantabb - 08:29am Nov 11, 2003 EST (# 17230 of 17268)

fredmoore - 04:54am Nov 11, 2003 EST (# 17223 of 17228)

Barntabb, Did I hurt or feelings? You great turkey

What are you talking about, freddie'barnyard'moore. You stopped making sense in your very first post. "You great turkey" ?

Don't forget your "muster" !

... you have to post HARDER if we are going to get to 20,000!

It had to do with rshow/lchic. Your problem with comprehension again; what level you read ? See my post again:

cantabb - 02:09pm Nov 10, 2003 EST (# 17102 of 17216) Seems to me, by Nov 14, this thread may even surpass 20,000 posts -- He's resting up; her link machine is being geared up for one-last push...

Got it, freddie "Irregardless" moore ?

fredmoore - 08:37am Nov 11, 2003 EST (# 17231 of 17268)

Bbbuck,

Bob says he is sorry he offended you or anyone else inside or outside of Nebraska. He says he thought you were Jack Benny because of your delivery and Chester reminded him of Rochester who was of course Jack Benny's valet in the Jack Benny Program.

He says he won't be coming to the picnic.

bbbuck - 08:47am Nov 11, 2003 EST (# 17232 of 17268)

yes, anyone could have made that mistake.[except god of course]

no problem.

do you want a t-shirt?

Does anyone have any buffy dvds?

"I'm posting til I hit 20,000 - you mother f...."

We didn't want bob hope to come anyway. Or Ted Williams, or any part of Ted.

Though of course Rochester would be welcome.

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