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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?

rshowalter - 01:20pm Jun 13, 2001 EST (#4994 of 5028)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Some key world leaders are concerned on issues of fact, and realism of models.

Bush Runs Into Skepticism at NATO Over Missile Shield by FRANK BRUNI http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/13/world/13CND-PREXY.html?pagewanted=all

BRUSSELS, June 13 — "President Bush said today that he was pleased by what he called "a new receptivity" among some European allies for his plan to build a missile defense shield. "I think people are coming our way," he said.

" But at his first NATO meeting since becoming President, Mr. Bush also encountered the kind of skepticism he faces in persuading some of the United States's key allies to support the missile shield.

" President Jacques Chirac of France called the Antiballistic Missile Treaty a "pillar" of global security, and said abandoning it in order to construct Mr. Bush's missile defense, would be "a fantastic incentive to proliferate" weapons.

" In a similar vein, Chancellor Gerhard Schröder of Germany said there were important questions about the technical feasibility of the proposed missile defense shield. "We have a lot of issues to clarify," he said, "and must and will continue these discussions intensively within the alliance."

" Indeed, while the talk between leaders was respectful and sometimes sweet, it revealed some of the widely divergent opinions about the issue . . . . . ( much more )

rshowalter - 01:45pm Jun 13, 2001 EST (#4995 of 5028)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

A personal feeling, and a concern.
MD4482 rshowalter 6/4/01 6:24am . . MD4483 rshowalter 6/4/01 6:39am

gisterme - 01:58pm Jun 13, 2001 EST (#4996 of 5028)

possumdag wrote: "..."Could one misfire destroy the world?"

A B S O L U T E L Y !! ..."

Especially if there's nothing to stop that misfired ICBM.

rshowalter - 02:03pm Jun 13, 2001 EST (#4997 of 5028)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

If you admit that -- (and you know some technical facts) -- then you're admitting that the controls on our nuclear weapons are grossly defective.

Which I believe they are.

THAT SHOULD BE FIXED.

It is a point I've been making, repeatedly, since September 25 of last year.

rshowalter - 02:05pm Jun 13, 2001 EST (#4998 of 5028)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Unless I misunderstand the situation, one misfire, from anywhere, and the US missiles could go up like a string of firecrackers -- under easily imaginable circumstances.

Perhaps the Russian, too -- they certainly would if the US fired many missiles.

That would end the world.

rshowalter - 02:08pm Jun 13, 2001 EST (#4999 of 5028)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

When I wrote md304 rshowalt 9/25/00 5:28pm .... I thought that I was adressing William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States, and Commander in Chief.

I've been told I was wrong in that assumption. Even so, the statement was public, and I repeat it. Many of the things I would have wished to say have been said on this thread, but not all of them.

possumdag - 03:27pm Jun 13, 2001 EST (#5000 of 5028)
Possumdag@excite.com

5000 MD discourse postings .... and still talking .. means there's a lot to mull over regarding MD.

possumdag - 03:29pm Jun 13, 2001 EST (#5001 of 5028)
Possumdag@excite.com

Noted above that EU and USA are big buddies .... and Bwsh has placed Russia into Europe .. leading us to draw the logical conclusion that Russia/EU/America are now 'Big Buddies' .... Time to Party ? Or ...

rshowalter - 03:31pm Jun 13, 2001 EST (#5002 of 5028)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

And a lot of people, including many of high rank, in positions of great trust, have been paralyzed by fear and lies.

The situation is so stupid that, once the basic problems were acknowledged a lot could be fixed. ! ! ! !

rshowalter - 03:33pm Jun 13, 2001 EST (#5003 of 5028)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

With just minimal honesty, it WOULD be time to party, or could be in a few months. The essential needs of Russia and the rest of the world could be met and we could take the damn things down.

They are obsolete, useless menaces that could destroy the world.

(25 following messages)

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