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.

rshow55 - 07:54am Feb 5, 2003 EST (# 8584 of 8588)
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.

Today, Secretary Powell will present a "collection of the dots" and "connection of the dots" that argues the case for war. Alternatives to his argument, and problems of motivation - need to be considered.

My own view is that Will the Neighbors Approve? By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/05/opinion/05FRIE.html states pretty clearly what the Bush administration is actually trying to do. Perhaps what the Bush administration is trying to do is the best that can be done - though I personally have doubts about that. But if Friedman is right, the Bush administration's plans are based on many assumptions -and assumes that the President has the right to take both the US, and the world, in directions that they have not agreed to go. Much more is being undertaken than is being justified in discussions that I've seen covered. It seems to me that it is dangerous for the Security Council to simply follow here.

Issues of motivation - including unconscious motivation - are important here. Saddam's motivations are ugly often enough - as his history is. But some pointed questions ought to be asked of the United States, as well.

Has the United States become a nation committed to military solutions - for reasons of its own structure - reasons not at harmony with the reasonable interests of the world - or reasons that the United States can publicly admit?

almarst2002 - 08:50am Feb 5, 2003 EST (# 8585 of 8588)

"Has the United States become a nation committed to military solutions"

YES.

There is a very serious problem with American public intelligence, mentality and vision. The case of distorted humanity. Bent on solving all problems by force and technology. Bent on medicine based on surgery. Lost in its journey to promised happiness.

almarst2002 - 08:53am Feb 5, 2003 EST (# 8586 of 8588)

The chief UN weapons inspector yesterday dismissed what has been billed as a central claim of the speech the US secretary of state, Colin Powell, will make today to the UN security council.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,889135,00.html

rshow55 - 09:28am Feb 5, 2003 EST (# 8587 of 8588)
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.

Almarst , we agree. But even so, the United States does make efforts to deal with the opinions of others - efforts to come to good solutions. Not completely perfect or disinterested efforts - but many efforts (not all) that look good to me.

Almarst, I've had much respect for your postings on American shortcomings over the last three years, and appreciated the chance to give this "briefing": http://talk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?14@@.ee7b085/383

I believe that anyone who feels that the US is flawless - either morally - or in terms of judgement - could profit by searching the links you post - and looking at them.

If the Security Council discusses things it ought to - asks questions it ought to - I believe that a lot of things could be managed much, much better.

By a process of trial and error - and a process of continuing to question - we can do much better. That's how people solve problems. Mistakes of all kinds are expected - but if they happen "on paper" or at the level of ideas - far, far more expensive and bloody mistakes can be avoided.

(1 following message)

New York Times on the Web Forums Science Missile Defense