New York Times on the Web Forums Science

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.

cantabb - 05:10pm Nov 12, 2003 EST (# 17433 of 17442)

bluestar23 - 05:07pm Nov 12, 2003 EST (# 17431 of 17432)

BTW, did you make this metereological "Showalter Index?"

lchic first told me that I didn't read this board, then mentioned you brought this SI in from elsewhere.

Any clarification (NOT that it matters this late) ?

btw, who's doing 'taps' ?

bluestar23 - 05:33pm Nov 12, 2003 EST (# 17434 of 17442)

I am personally disappointed...I expected some verbal fireworks, some Grand Display of Meaning, from Mr. Showalter....some spontaneous revelation of synergy...

cantabb - 05:38pm Nov 12, 2003 EST (# 17435 of 17442)

Bluestar:

I was a little concerned over his 'threats' and musings about an 'outrage'.

jorian319 - 06:02pm Nov 12, 2003 EST (# 17436 of 17442)

Intimation of threats was pretty good, and the promise of outrage made it seem for a brief moment like Robert was gong to say or do something new. Oh well. At least it was a break from the usual schmaltz.

Don't expect a big going away party - The Team is surely too busy excavating new digs to bother looking back at past lives saves and catastrophes averted.

bluestar23 - 06:07pm Nov 12, 2003 EST (# 17437 of 17442)

I think from what Cantabb posted, from the Guardian, that Showalter will go to the Guardian ....

bluestar23 - 06:08pm Nov 12, 2003 EST (# 17438 of 17442)

He's already thanking the Guardian profusely, etc....

bluestar23 - 06:12pm Nov 12, 2003 EST (# 17439 of 17442)

"and the promise of outrage.."

Yeah, what about that..? I expected something too...like some Victorian "outrage".....Showalter has certainly managed to outrage us and the NYT over the last 3 years....

cantabb - 06:17pm Nov 12, 2003 EST (# 17440 of 17442)

He needs a place where he can pontificate, ONLY to the chimes from the Amen corner (lchic & a couple of others I've seen here).

Without any challenge.

I think he may have already found THE place, unless he starts his website or his CD becomes a big hit.

cantabb - 07:04pm Nov 12, 2003 EST (# 17441 of 17442)

Note:

RShowalter's CD would have NO credibility at all, if it contains ONLY selective posts (his, lchic's and those supportive of him/lchic).

If it is complete and true to what went on this NYT thread (particularly in the last 8 weeks), it would disembowel most of his own theories and his position, as seen here.

Any attempt at editorializing or any other maneuvers to tamper with the record in any way would destroy any claim of record's authenticity -- hence, self-defeating.

Interesting options for him and lchic !

(1 following message)

New York Times on the Web Forums Science Missile Defense