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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?

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rshow55 - 11:27am Mar 13, 2002 EST (#435 of 484)

It would be better, much better, to find a common language . . . but you're right. The analogy to Mike Tyson is apt -- not only a professional in violence - but out of control.

People around Mike Tyson find ways to establish some control -- quite a lot of control. Nations ought to think similarly.

I'd like to repeat part of MD418.

Before a diversion, manjumicha2001 said this:

" I agree with you that NMD is a program that is 50 years old and has proven to be terminally challenged by the laws of physics. Having said that, however, I do not believe the world turns based on merits alone."

MD399 rshow55 3/11/02 7:58pm ... MD400 lchic 3/11/02 8:03pm
MD401 manjumicha2001 3/12/02 12:18am ... MD402 rshow55 3/12/02 8:19am
MD403 rshow55 3/12/02 8:21am

Key points ! On topic (note header.)

If Mike Tyson lies on key points, in the course of making big scenes -- that's important for people (and governments) to notice.

rshow55 - 11:33am Mar 13, 2002 EST (#436 of 484)

almarst , there's interesting ambivalence about "killing the messanger" -- some rough patterns, superimposed on some very open ones. A complex system - with plenty to go wrong, but some reasons to hope, as well. Postol's piece in the MIT tech journal DID run. This thread DOES function - - and the bad stuff happens, too. The Greg Smith story says a good deal, both about good things, and things to fear.

I'm sure I'm nothing like as smart as Greg, and never was, but my life has had some similarities. And I've done the best I could, within my limitations -- some of which are somewhat like Greg's -- he doesn't "fit" easily.

I've done the best I could on this thread -- and not always too badly, I don't believe.

George Johnson, in his many guises, does keep this thread busy. I've been using my own name --Robert Showalter.

Like Greg Smith, I've had some "special accomodations." I've talked about them on this thread -- things have happened that indicate that some people have believed what I've said. And I've had special, graceful friends, I'm very grateful to. Including Steve Kline, and lchic . http://www.wisc.edu/rshowalt/klinerec

I think much more safe, more peaceful relations in the world are possible - but that some of the problems are not only moral, but intellectual, too.

Also, some are organizational.

rshow55 - 11:39am Mar 13, 2002 EST (#437 of 484)

http://talk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?14@@.ee7a163/284

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