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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?

gisterme - 09:17pm Jan 2, 2002 EST (#10620 of 10657)

I notice that very little has been said about missile defense development of late...in spite of the many words.

So here goes...let's state an arguement presented by the cons:

"A 100% effective missile defense system would have done absolutely nothing to prevent the 9/11 massacre."

And the response from the pro side:

"That's right, but a 100% effective defense against such attacks as occured on 9/11 would be equally ineffective against an attack by even a single ballistic missile. And yes, even a single nuclear armed ballistic missile could cause several thousand times the number of casualties as the 9/11 massacre, along with proportionally greater property/economic damage. Why bar the doors while leaving the windows wide open?"

Comments?

gisterme - 09:24pm Jan 2, 2002 EST (#10621 of 10657)

Grin...nice to hear from you, old friend! I doubt that you'll be banned again if you are sincere in what you say. I'd be the first to protest and probably the loudest (that is if I'm still around). :-)

rshow55 - 09:34pm Jan 2, 2002 EST (#10622 of 10657)

Well said gisterme , as far as your statement goes. We share the concern about nuclear weapons. The fact of 9/11 now makes it easier for many people to envision what the destruction of nuclear explosions is, in human terms. That change in perception, I believe, may go some way towards making us all safer.

People know that what was done to WTC was WRONG - to be forbidden. Using nukes is worse - not because one single randomly chosen murder is worse than another - - but because the number of deaths would be so much larger than the already unbearable number at WTC.

rshowalter 12/30/00 4:01pm comes out in FAVOR of missile defense, political and negotiating difficulties and all, if it can be built. I didn't think it could be last year, and still have the same doubts.

I think everything reasonable to reduce nuclear risks, including risks from nuclear terrorism, should be done. But you have to make some numerical judgements. About MD, and about alternatives, as well.

Out for tonight.

gisterme - 09:34pm Jan 2, 2002 EST (#10623 of 10657)

Gotta go for now, wish I had more time for this today.

lchic - 10:45pm Jan 2, 2002 EST (#10624 of 10657)

Showalter: Welcome back on board!

The way to look at this is to ask
'how much money was laid out re Nukes'
then ask
'had this same amount of money been used to upgrade conditions in selected countries and get their economies on track - would the events of September have happend?'
that is would the same disaffection have been in existence.
This in turn relates to world economic policy strategy. gisterme 1/2/02 9:17pm

guy_catelli - 11:02pm Jan 2, 2002 EST (#10625 of 10657)
editor in chief, Romance sub Rosa

"Why bar the doors while leaving the windows wide open?"

if there are 100 people in a village, and if a single family of 5 people produce 40% of the wealth of that village, then if that family puts up a fence, shutters its windows, and bolts its doors, their friends(?) and neighbors will be deeply offended.

furthermore, the village's criminal class would have to work much harder to invade, intimidate, rob, and/or intimidate this household. it would be cruel to 'force' the criminal class to engage in these exertions, because many criminals are already economically disadvantaged.

lchic - 03:35am Jan 3, 2002 EST (#10626 of 10657)

? You're obviously referrring to the FirstFamily and this being the MD board one has to assume they have a Missile (of great worth) parked on the living room carpet. This extended FirstFamily have income from Directorships. And yes, of course they 'lock out' the rest of the village - not wanting them to view their valuable Missile. If it's a Royal type FirstFamily they'd have an ArtGallery in their living room. :)

Many criminals are 'mentally' disadvantaged - that's why 'leadership and community values' are important. It's also important for people to have a 'role' in their community. The current thinking that views people only in terms of their interaction within a workplace - sends a lot of people to the wall with idle time and no way of making even a meagre living.

lchic - 04:35am Jan 3, 2002 EST (#10627 of 10657)

On the humanitarian front Moscow have ordered the Salvation Army out of Army Uniform and told them to take their food kitchens OFF the street!

Seems the poor and disadvantaged must starve to death - Moscow dumping the scythe&Hammer for a relgious cross seemingly to be borne by the downtrodden destitute.

What really is going on in Moscow - pity Almarst isn't on the board to explain : http://www.sclj.org/news/nf_010830_powell.asp

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