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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?

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rshow55 - 08:41am Aug 5, 2002 EST (#3506 of 3510)

It has been a while since I posted MD3481 rshowalt 8/4/02 8:53am , recounting conversation of about three hours duration that I had with a person who identified himself as Louis Mazza - and who I believe may well have been. I'd like to be clear that Mazza is who he says he is, motivated as he says he's motivated -- and I'd like to be clear about some similar things about wrcooper and George Johnson , as well. Perhaps I have amends to make and apologies to give. I'd like the information needed in order to make them. There are some other stakes, personal and public, as well.

If you read rshowalt 8/4/02 8:53am , and contrast it with postings from Mazza and mrcooper that you can find by searching this thread, there are some interesting contrasts. Contrasts leading me to think that some things may usefully be worked out. Leading me to think that some ongoing conversations, recorded, might be fine examples of how "connecting the dots" can lead to good solutions, given reasonable decency on the part of the people involved.

If you search Mazza and wrcooper, you'll also see how rapidly they've often responded on these boards. They've had some time since rshowalt 8/4/02 8:53am .

Does Mazza contest what I said in rshowalt 8/4/02 8:53am . . ? He hasn't so far, and I hope he doesn't. If my recounting matches his recollection as well as my own, we have some common ground.

rshowalt 8/4/02 8:53am ends with this:

"The idea of a conference call, carefully done and recorded, seems reasonable."

There may be better ways, involving the people and institutions involved, but that idea still seems reasonable.

rshow55 - 08:42am Aug 5, 2002 EST (#3507 of 3510)

I was impressed with Stanley Greenberg's What Voters Want http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/05/opinion/05GREE.html which includes this:

"A public consensus is emerging that the behavior evident in the Enron and other scandals reflects a bigger problem: people in powerful positions now feel free to act irresponsibly and hurt ordinary people, without fear of being held accountable."

It seems to me that this thread may have had a small role in shaping that public consensus, and that values of accountablity, and problems of accountability, are involved with this thread, as well.

It seems to me that if the following rhyme, with the first part due to lchic , were widely known and taught, we'd have a safer, more comfortable world.

Adults need secrets, lies and fictions
To live within their contradictions

.........But when things go wrong
.........And knock about

.........Folks get together
..........And work it out

Setting my own efforts aside, this thread still represents, I believe, more than a million dollars worth of work , if it were reasonably billed by the people and institutions involved.

Has it been a million dollars worth of work wasted? Perhaps - but I think not. It would be worth more, and costs and awkwardnesses would be less, if we worked some things out.

Mazza , was rshowalt 8/4/02 8:53am wrong, or misleading in any way that occurs to you?

mazza9 - 09:45am Aug 5, 2002 EST (#3508 of 3510)
"Quae cum ita sunt" Caesar's Gallic Commentaries

Robert: I enjoyed the conversation. I know that I rambled on but I did want to "introduce" myself to you and assure/convince you of my individuality. I spoke a great deal about communications and how, as a trained Toastmaster, I've learned that listening is the other half of communicating.

I also mentioned my personal belief that scientific thought as an approach to problem solving is far better than emotionally based "hunches".

Your travails are not that unusual. Whether we study the history of the Dreyfuss imbroglio or any similar political upheaval, someone is always hurt. That doesn't mean there is no hope for resolution/closure. I offered some advice in that area and wish you well in resolving that issue.

Okay, now my suggestion for today. Let's change the premise of this forum to the "lchic bashes and denigrates the United States of America." Confusion will result and lchic will now go "off topic" and begin to post about......say howsa 'bout Missile Defense"?

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