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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
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(11218 previous messages)
fredmoore
- 04:36pm Apr 9, 2003 EST (#
11219 of 11222)
Mazza ....
Once the recriminations are put into perspective, the UN
will realise that it NOW has teeth. So too will states where
human rights are not respected.
For example, if the UN now says that North Korea must cease
production of weapons grade plutonium, it will mean something.
This is progressive.
There also appears to be a responsibility NOW for peace
movements across the planet to study HISTORY with a view to
understanding that PEACE is not about maintaining their own
calm sensibilities, their personal peace, but rather about
seeing how FREEDOM is something that comes with a pricetag. A
pricetag that sometimes is soaked in blood as well as their
taxes. They need to understand the obligations of freedom as
well as the benefits. The current conflict is teaching and
will continue to teach peace movements how to put their own
selfishness and ignorance in perspective. They will start to
see that the price paid for freedom is not always directly
about them. That whilst their concern is important it must be
more sophisticated in a long term sense. That they understand
the price is always insignificant in comparison to the fate of
those who take the wrong path of allowing millions to suffer
and die in silence while they sip wine and believe the world
is free when clearly it is not. That they realise that
DIPLOMACY is only as good as the last battle where freedom
wins. YES there is a lot to learn from HISTORY and peace
movements will be far more poignant and powerful for that
learning. Of course, they may also think that this involves
too much effort and dwindle away. I hope not.
The NEXT big hurdle for world stability and peace is to
cancel the current KYOTO treaty and create a new KYOTO treaty
based on alternative energy source targets. Any peace movement
espousing a decrease in global ENTROPY, an increase in world
order by phasing in sustainable energy options is truly
showing modernity and sophistication and they will prevail.
Meanwhile on another planet far far away ....
This dudes insulted us man ... let's F##k him up! Can ya
pass the joint man! Peace brother!
rshow55
- 04:45pm Apr 9, 2003 EST (#
11220 of 11222) 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.
Plenty of self righteousness and muddle to go around.
The Atlantic Monthly this month as two interesting
articles http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/preview/
A very good one gives reasons why Almarst's
suspiscions about oil may have a lot of basis, at that:
The Fall of the House of Saud by Robert Baer
Americans have long considered Saudi Arabia
the one constant in the Arab Middle East—a source of cheap
oil, political stability, and, it must be said, very
lucrative business relationships. But Saudi Arabia is ruled
by a royal family that is deeply corrupt, increasingly
dysfunctional, and, to a surprising extent, complicit in the
support of international terrorism. Our correspondent, a
veteran former CIA operative in the Middle East, argues that
the House of Saud is on the verge of collapse—and if it
falls, the economic and political effects on the world order
could be calamitous.
Another one, Hitler's Forgotten Library by Timothy
W. Ryback ends with a really spooky, wrenching quote that all
leaders - especially leaders who think they are "touched by
destiny" - or "touched by God" should really think
about - and a conclusion they should reject.
Hitler told some guests in December of 1941
"If there is a God, then he give us not only life but
also consciousness and awareness. If I live my life
according to my God-given insights, then I cannot go wrong,
and even if I do I know I have acted in good faith."
Leaders who think that way - and far too many do - ought to
be ashamed - and be more careful.
Any human being can go wrong - and is likely
to do so trusting their insights.
People make mistakes.
Exactly the same conceptual processes that lead to
good conclusions lead to bad ones - and people have to be
responsible for knowing that, checking, and being careful. If
checking is done, and adjustments made - good conclusions are
likely.
If checking's not done - disasters are likely.
Leaders ought to know that.
People who defer to leaders ought to have sense enough to
know that, too - and not defer too much.
fredmoore
- 05:17pm Apr 9, 2003 EST (#
11221 of 11222)
Muddles of the future can be avoided by understanding the
most important need of any individual or state. The need we
fight and die for ... EMERGY or energy with a sense of
sustainability and order. Some folks think it is only to be
found in fossil fuels, in Mid East oil. They are plain WRONG
....
An effective Kyoto Alternative Energy treaty would link all
countries
1. In a 10 year plan
2. With countries providing funds on a percentage of GDP
basis
3. For an international research and implementation program
for:
A. Converting major power stations to dry rock geothermal
B. Developing and implementing Thermoelectric fabrics (eg
polythiophene) for urban and agricultural power generation.
C. Developing space based solar collectors and microwave
transmission of power from space
D. Terminating every stormwater and major farm runoff in an
engineered wetland.
This Kyoto Alternative Energy protocol would be profit
generating, whilst producing clean, sustainable electric power
for all nations. It would also generate cooperation and
potential for peace among all nations.
As for the current CO2 limiting treaty. Well, this has
already generated mistrust among nations, downgrades profits
in developed countries and doesn't focus on alternative power
sources to fossil fuels.
A Kyoto Alternative Energy treaty would provide so many
integrated and positive advantages for the whole world and a
sustainable pathway for future generations.
Why muddle about, connect the dots, pronounce the nots?
It's time to be KYOTO POSITIVE.
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