New York Times on the Web Forums Science

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?

Read Debates, a new Web-only feature culled from Readers' Opinions, published every Thursday.

almarst-2001 - 04:13pm Mar 27, 2002 EST (#879 of 892)

"My God, what have we done?" The words of Captain Robert Lewis record the horror and awe of the Enola Gay's crew as they witnessed the birth of the atomic age. - http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=278483

almarst-2001 - 04:19pm Mar 27, 2002 EST (#880 of 892)

Bush pushes for US-Russia treaty on nuclear cuts - http://news.independent.co.uk/world/russia/story.jsp?story=274271

"The President evaded comment on whether smaller weapons would increase the threat of a nuclear exchange. "My interest is to reduce the threat of nuclear war. We're a peaceful nation," he said. "

The peaceful nation???

Che child points to the remaining of Greeck sculpure with no head, legs and hands named "The Victor" and asks: "I wonder how the "Defeated" must look like?"

mazza9 - 04:25pm Mar 27, 2002 EST (#881 of 892)
Louis Mazza

Almarst:

The issue of slavery was settled in the United States 140 years ago. Denzel Washington won his first academy award for his role in the movie"Glory" which was Hollywood's take on the 52nd Massachsettes and the Civil War. Morgan Freeman admonishes Denzel for his hateful disdain for the "whities". He informs Denzell that he has buried many white soldiers who were fighting for Black freedom. The telling scene is when Denzel's character is buried alongside the white commander after their fruitless attack on the fort. In that instance, the blood debt was acknowledged.

Look up Paul Robeson on the Internet. Here is a son of a slave who was a Phi Beta Kappa, All American Football Player, a lawyer and the first Black Actor to play the lead role of Othello. this was all done before 1930!!! Did he need reparations? Nope! Did he need affirmative action? Nope! He made his way in the world through the application of his intellect and hard work!

LouMazza

lchic - 08:23pm Mar 27, 2002 EST (#882 of 892)

"My God, what have we done?" The words of Captain Robert Lewis record the horror and awe of the Enola Gay's crew as they witnessed the birth of the atomic age.

What happens to human imagination, empathy, tolerance, understanding .... and the rest .... when the military types believe they have the solution in their store cupboard.

-----

I noted in the Guardian how the death of a child who had been under 'care' watch has been traced back to poor communication -- the DOCTOR should have taken MORE pro-active responsibility. http://society.guardian.co.uk/children/story/0,1074,674844,00.html
And on parenting to physically attack children is thought wrong : http://society.guardian.co.uk/children/story/0,1074,674904,00.html

_______

Brings up this thought, if PROFESSIONALS are seen as agents of positive progressive goodness - moving society along ... then should we not have expectations of PEACE rather than WAR from military agencies!
And where there's the opposite of PEACE shouldn't they eventually be held personaly responsible for failing in their duties.

lchic - 08:28pm Mar 27, 2002 EST (#883 of 892)

Robert Fiske (MEast) http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/

lchic - 08:43pm Mar 27, 2002 EST (#884 of 892)

Army Secretary Defends Timing of His Sale of Enron Stock By JAMES DAO http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/27/business/27CND-WHITE.html

(8 following messages)

New York Times on the Web Forums Science Missile Defense