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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?

almarst-2001 - 10:47pm May 23, 2001 EST (#4179 of 4185)

rshowalter 5/23/01 8:34pm

"Why does America act so crazily?"

If I remember, you mentioned and insisted the reason is fear.

As I suspect, Americans at large, for all their declared "freedom" and "idependence", are deeply opressed and unhappy nation. Tired and exausted by costant fight and struggle for the power and the wealth as the only way to maintain their self-esteem.

If truth is yours, the situation is not a pretty one. How can you remove the fear from the by far the most powerfull and fearsome nation on Earth, other then eliminating the rest of the World?

If mine, the problem is solvable at expence of a freedom and abuse of all other nations. If they will succumb without bringing the likely catastrophy. For a while. Untill the internal conflict develops. and the internal conflict may take some time to develop or may never happen at all as long as their will be enough of a "Bread and Entertainment" provided to most.

May be the literature, particularelly the folklor, can put some light on this qiestion.

almarst-2001 - 11:03pm May 23, 2001 EST (#4180 of 4185)

Stinking, poor and stupid: a German view of Britain - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=000118613908976&rtmo=axHep3XL&atmo=rrrrrrrq&pg=/et/01/5/24/wstern24.html

"Here, the most miserable and rundown area in England, tuberculosis is raging in the living quarters where up to 10 people live herded together in one room. Even by the standards of Third World countries they seem undernourished."

"The NHS, it says, is in a desperate state - so bad that the World Health Organisation believes that the lives of 25,000 cancer sufferers could be saved each year under another system. While the country's economy is purring along nicely and Britain has low inflation and low unemployment, the benefits and successes are not being felt by most of the people, says the article."

"Many are uneducated and stupid. "One out of five adults in the land of William Shakespeare and Harry Potter is practically illiterate or has problems counting money in the purse."

"It says of Britain's public transport system: "In the motherland of railways a journey on the intercity train or London Tube has the same effect as a visit to a domina [a sadistic prostitute]. One is tortured, humiliated and abused."

"People might have expected the voters to punish Mr Blair, Stern says. But there is only one thing worse than his party, and that is the Conservatives."

"It adds: "The Tories also try to attract votes with stupid xenophobic slogans. This appeals to Her Majesty's subjects. In Great Britain racism and xenophobia are smouldering like the funeral pyres in the areas of foot and mouth."

If accurate (and it seems to be the case), not a very nice picture of American "Best Friend" in Europe;)

Will the Stern's next "patient" to be examined be found future West overseas?;)

almarst-2001 - 11:44pm May 23, 2001 EST (#4181 of 4185)

CIA's Worst-Kept Secret - http://www.consortiumnews.com/051601a.html

Newly released documents confirm that U.S. intelligence recruited and protected hundreds of Nazi war criminals after World War II -- a CIA original sin that contributed to continuation of Nazi-like war crimes through the Cold War. By Martin A. Lee. May 16, 2001

possumdag - 12:39am May 24, 2001 EST (#4182 of 4185)
Possumdag@excite.com

http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/russia/0,2759,180992,00.html

rshowalter - 07:31am May 24, 2001 EST (#4183 of 4185)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

We face a mixed picture, in a complex world, and Dawn's cites above, though it links to a group of articles that include the following article, include others, as well. Nonetheless, I find this article well worth reading:

Russia: land of the free

"Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, it is the US that has taken over the mantle of oppressor and world's bullyboy, which is why we should all now back Moscow, writes George Szamuely

Sunday April 8, 2001 The Observer http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/russia/article/0,2763,470168,00.html

rshowalter - 07:31am May 24, 2001 EST (#4184 of 4185)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

The COLD WAR MEMORIES thread is also very good, I think, and I've posted on it today. postings #86-91 may all be of interest. http://talk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?14@@.ee8230d

in 91 I say this:

" I continue to believe that there was a great deal of malicious, grossly irresponsible deception, led by a small but now dominant military-industrial complex, backed by a net of paid intellectuals, that has made Russia's situation far worse than it might have been, for a decade now. "

but I say some other things as well.

I find the connections between Hitler's takeover in Germany in 1933, and the Bush administration's actions over the last weeks, cause of concern.

I'm taking time to deal with your points, almarst , which I find imporant, and do respect.

They are points which, made in the open, make peace more possible.

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