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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.

gisterme - 01:08am Jan 28, 2003 EST (#8239 of 8289)

rshow55 - 10:40am Jan 27, 2003 EST (# 8186...)

"...That work involved great contributions from "stand-ins" who have taken the role of senior Russian and American officials - -..."

Only in your imagination, Robert. Only by your proclamation. Nobody among those representing the various points of view on this board has agreed or pretended to be a "stand in" for any purpose. As much as some of us like myself and Almarst might disagree in our world views, we can agree that we only represent our own selves... not American officials, not Russian officials and not any other kind of officials.

"... a role that has continued since March 1, 2000 #207..."

A role that has never exsited except in your imagination, Robert!

I think that anyone who proudly points to something non-existant as their "work" for the last few years should step back and do some serious self-evaluation.

You're the one who's been trying to spin the magic fabric to make the king's wardrobe, Robert; but your problem seems to be that nobody else here, regardles of their viewpoint, is stupid enough to buy any of it. No matter how passionately the rest of us may disagree on some things, I'm sure we're all smart enough to know if we're naked.

I hold up the "oscillatory solution" as a prime example of your hanidwork. You can't even explain what it means so that anybody can see it; but you imply that it is the panacea that you (by Bill Casey's direction) offer the world.

"Ahhh zuch elegant Showalter vabric...oonly a vool coouldn't zee eet...ahhh, eesn't eet looovely?...follow za shvinking vatch veeth yuur eyce...eet's all zo loovely...your'e relaxin'...growin' zleeepy...here, let meee puut yuur clothz on youuu." :-)

No thanks! Personally, I prefer stability to oscillation, straight talk to double-talk, visibility to invisibilty and common sense to nonsense.

gisterme - 01:34am Jan 28, 2003 EST (#8240 of 8289)

lchic - 08:04pm Jan 27, 2003 EST (# 8192...)

"...If ‘The Poster’ is being paid, to double-helix Showalter down the MD thread, which one has to assume he is ..."

Why does one have to assume that, lchic? What do you mean by "double-helix Showalter down"? If it's what I think, Showalter needs no help at all with that.

"...jumping in and out of all those monikers has a time cost ..."

"Allegedly jumping in and out..." would be far more accurate, lchic. Why not be honest?

"...then WHO's paying ‘The Poster’ - What? And more importantly WHY? Is there some HOW a hidden agenda here that should be brought into the open?..."

As you know, lchic, I've wondered exactly the same thing about you and Showalter. As a matter of fact, if you'll recall, I asked you about that. You both swore you weren't getting paid. Of course, you put in so much time on this thread that neither of you could possibly hold down a job. You expend the effort of "the poster" a hundred times over, even if he were all those monikers.

Now you claim you're not independently wealthy so that only leaves a couple of options. You must be supported by spouses (two shining examples of women's lib, no doubt) or be on welfare.

I'll bet Robert's "liberated" wife supports him and the "liberated" lchic is supported by her husband (or significant otherchic ).

wrcooper - 01:45am Jan 28, 2003 EST (#8241 of 8289)

gisterme

I'm offering Bob a chance to back up his words with some action. He's convinced I'm George Johnson. Well, he can come meet me in Chicago, just a short jaunt by car from Madison, to put his theory to the test. It won't cost him a P.I.'s salary, either. Just a little gas and the time. What I wonder is, whether he can handle the truth. He's so invested in his fantasy, that perhaps facing the fact that he's fallen prey to a paranoid delusion might be too much for him.

What about it, Bob?

My email address: wcooper@21stcentury.net

Let's meet in Chicago. I'll buy you that beer.

lchic - 01:46am Jan 28, 2003 EST (#8242 of 8289)
~~~~ It got understood and exposed ~~~~

Everyone remembers the Johnston moniker that put up a 'photo' of itself a few months ago -- couldn't distinguish it from a Yetti -- it was so blurred ... bet your driving licence photo's the same Johnson.

Having followed this thread -- there have certainly been different viewpoints put by the folks behind the Amarst2000 moniker, and the Gisterme moniker --- viewpoints that seem to represent those of Russia and the USA. So when Showalter refers to their postings as being of those polarites none can disagree.

lchic - 01:51am Jan 28, 2003 EST (#8243 of 8289)
~~~~ It got understood and exposed ~~~~

Wow - you're up late Johnston ... still posting ... trying to wangle yourself out of the charade you threw yourself into :)

wrcooper - 01:52am Jan 28, 2003 EST (#8244 of 8289)

http://forums.nytimes.com/webin/WebX?8@93.TShla8A611D.71126@.f28e622/9728 [Ichic]

No, Ichic. The picture on my driver's license is quite good, actually. Usually, they tend to make me look cross-eyed, but this one is fairly flattering for a guy my age. I'm an older man than George Johnson. Plus I'm thinner and have blue eyes, not brown. Jeez, there are so many physical differences between me and George J that Bob's going to have a hard time listing them.

Let's meet in Chicago, Bob. Here's your big chance to test one of your conspiracy theories. Come meet the man you're convinced is posing as George Johnson and then when you get back to your keyboard in Madison, explain how disturbingly, paranoically, mistake you've been. Also, you might try apologizing again...to me... for accusing me of lying about my identity.

wrcooper - 01:54am Jan 28, 2003 EST (#8245 of 8289)

http://forums.nytimes.com/webin/WebX?8@93.TShla8A611D.71126@.f28e622/972

Yeah, I'm up, Ichic. Waiting for your buddy to show he's got the guts to face the truth.

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