New York Times on the Web Forums Science

Missile Defense

Russian military leaders have expressed concern about US plans for a national missile defense system. Will defense technology be limited by possibilities for a strategic imbalance? Is this just SDI all over again?

lunarchick - 08:31am May 23, 2001 EST (#4164 of 4170)
lunarchick@www.com

Most economies are mixed economies. When a person comes up with a process that is more efficient, superior, and/or has advantage over usual methods and processes, then, if it is patented and licensed out ... others can adopt it, the benefits can flow into the community enhancing the lives of everyone. Aren't we all richer? Can't we all directly and indirectly enjoy the advances made by others.

People often pass on advancements to others without commercialising them. Not all people are seeking riches, power and dominance. Some people with money are able to use it to enhance the lives and careers of others.

rshowalter - 11:49am May 23, 2001 EST (#4165 of 4170)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

The American political system is undergoing a significant incremental change, from which much may flow.

Senator to Leave G.O.P. and Become Independent by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 10:59 a.m. May 23 ET http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Jeffords.html

"WASHINGTON (AP) -- i Republican Sen. James Jeffords of Vermont resolved to abandon his party and become an independent, officials said, a switch that would end GOP control of the Senate and crimp President Bush's ability to pass his agenda. (more)

^^^^^^^^^^^

People wishing to discuss policy, and people concerned with finding objective truth , now have more chance than before.

Thomas Friedman, in a recent OpEd piece, lamented that there were "no brakes" on the far-right wing, think-tank generated, untested agenda of the Bush administration.

Bush is still president, with all the power and prestige that goes with the office, no matter who is in that office.

But now there are some brakes.

almarst-2001 - 12:52pm May 23, 2001 EST (#4166 of 4170)

There is no such thing as an absolute truth. Nor the absolute Evil.

But in order to show and accentuate my thoughts and ideas, I turn to the dark colors of a contrast.

The issues I rased are, in my view, significant enough, even if say 70% true.

almarst-2001 - 01:05pm May 23, 2001 EST (#4167 of 4170)

Rape Statistics - http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~ad361896/anne/cease/rapestatisticspage.html

In the United States, 1.3 women are raped every minute. That results in 78 rapes each hour, 1872 rapes each day, 56160 rapes ech month and 683,280 rapes each year.

1 out of every 3 American women will be sexually assulted in her lifetime.

The United States has the world's highest rape rate of the countries that publish such statistics. It's 4 times higher than Germany, 13 times higher than England, and 20 times higher than Japan.

1 in 7 women will be raped by her husband. 83% of rape cases are ages 24 or under.

1 in 4 college women have either been raped or suffered attempted rape.

1 in 12 males students surveyed had commited acts that met the legal definition of rape.

Furthermore, 84% of the men who had commited such acts said what they had done was definitely not rape.

75% of male students and 55% of female students involved in acquintance rape had been drinking or using drugs.

Only 16% of rapes are ever reported to the police.

VERY INTERESTING, ISN'T IT?

rshowalter - 02:31pm May 23, 2001 EST (#4168 of 4170)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Such thoughts are useful -- the contrasts are useful -- though I could, pretty easily, show imperfections of Russians and Serbians, too, in similar areas.

It is in some ways useful for us to know that we all, in various ways, have imperfections, sometimes wrenchingly bad ones.

A problem, related to rape, is an issue, I have to believe, to both Russia and to many other countries -- that is, you feel that you have been forced (and the feeling of having been raped may be close to the feeling) and also decieved.

So you look at Americans, no only as bullies, but sometimes as rapists, and often as predatory, fraudulent people.

I can see your point of view, and even say there's a lot of justice on your side - in particular cases. - And yet not run out of things to say.

One thing I'd say is that Russia, as a nation, has have negotiating skills that are defective, that put you at a disadvantage. We've discussed something about that before.

You need to defend yourselves better. -- Sometimes a very effective way to do it is learning how to communicate -- especially how to say no effecively.

I'm going to the gym -- haven't been in a long time -- but will try to do a little thinking, too.

There are a lot of people, under a lot of circumstances, who do very well, and are very comfortable, dealing with Americans. And find the relationship beneficial and fair.

For all your anger, it is good if you don't forget that part of things, too.

(2 following messages)

New York Times on the Web Forums Science Missile Defense