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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?

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

almarst2003 - 09:16pm Mar 17, 2003 EST (# 10135 of 10155)

Can World happily accept a good benevolent Emperor from Washington DC ready teach, correct and punish for the all people's good. One who nows what is best for all. One who is chosen by God. One who posess the best aspects of Humanity. One who will insist on all others to obey, adapt or evaporate.

rshow55 - 09:33pm Mar 17, 2003 EST (# 10136 of 10155)
Can we do a better job of finding truth? YES. Click "rshow55" for some things Lchic and I have done and worked for on this thread.

The world has to insist on reasonable limits to his power - and that needs to be done through the United Nations - and through other negotiations among other nation states.

Finding ways to see to it that facts are set out clearly and faced will be crucial.

Lchic just cited a fine article from China's flagship paper - People's Daily

Here's an article from People's Daily last year that makes points that China herself needs to remember, and that Russia, the US, and other nations should, too. . . . . .. Daring to Shoulder Historical Responsibility: Way to Become Big Political Power http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200104/18/eng20010418_67992.html

Here are links to that article, and related matters:

http://www.mrshowalter.net/a_md2000s/md2355.htm

http://www.mrshowalter.net/a_md2000s/md2415.htm

http://www.mrshowalter.net/a_md5000s/md5460.htm (see interesting comment by gisterme about fine scale spin control on a meeting with Putin)

http://www.mrshowalter.net/a_md5000s/md5523.htm http://www.mrshowalter.net/a_md5000s/md5938.htm

http://www.mrshowalter.net/a_md6000s/md6283.htm http://www.mrshowalter.net/a_md6000s/md6757.htm

http://www.mrshowalter.net/a_md7000s/md7197.htm

China cares about balances. The EU does. Russia does. France does. It ought to be possible to get some things clear - and find effective ways to put reasonable limits on US hegemony. It won't happen unless they are negotiated into being.

rshow55 - 09:40pm Mar 17, 2003 EST (# 10137 of 10155)
Can we do a better job of finding truth? YES. Click "rshow55" for some things Lchic and I have done and worked for on this thread.

An ultimatum for Saddam and his entourage to leave only makes sense, as a practical matter - if Saddam and his entourage can leave.

If the United States (or other nations involved) could facilitate arrangements whereby

Saddam would have enough money to live - and his retainers would, too.

Saddam and his people would have a place to live.

and

Saddam and his people would have reasonably effective immunity from prosecution

THEN Saddam would have a real option.

Would that option be unjust? There are those who would have thought giving Bill Casey that option - or Kissinger that option - would be unjust. They both did make decisions killing many innocents - and knew it -and both facilitated some of Saddam's most brutal actions, as well.

To save carnage and agony - it seems to me that, if it hasn't been done already - efforts should be made to give Saddam and company a real out.

Otherwise - there is no effective ultimatum - Saddam has to fight to the end - and take many, many people - many more or less innocent - many more totally innocent and helpless - with him.

I hope that ways exist so that Saddam has real options - and Saddam knows it. I care for justice - but justice done to his carcass isn't worth ripping apart the bodies and lives of many thousands of others if it can be avoided.

mazza9 - 10:34pm Mar 17, 2003 EST (# 10138 of 10155)
"Quae cum ita sunt" Caesar's Gallic Commentaries

gisterme:

Just saw the Australian Prime Minister on Fox. Seems that Australia backs us! It's reported that an ex-air commander of Iraq, who is in exile in Australia is saying that the majority of the Iraq army will fold up their tents rather than fight for the Saddam regime.

Unlike High Noon we won't be going it alone and the bad guys, as always, will LOSE!

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