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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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wrcooper - 11:26pm Oct 19, 2003 EST (# 15252 of 15263)

In re: http://forums.nytimes.com/webin/WebX?8@13.ncKgbVZcQAT.3612911@.f28e622/16960

Lou:

You and I agree that the NMD money would be better spent on Lunar or Mars Colonies.

Yes, it would be better spent on developing the peaceful uses of outer space. The threat that the system is supposed to defend us against doesn’t exist, and the system they’re proposing to use doesn’t work and shouldn’t be deployed.

At least a defensive system articulates our position.

I think that a workable defensive system would be fine and dandy. If we were serious, we could export the technology to our friends, and to our enemies, so that they’d have to reason to doubt our motives. If it really worked, that would, as B gisterme said, provide a rationale for complete disarmament. If the missiles aren’t good for anything, why keep them around? The problem is that the thing is technologically flawed. Furthermore, it’s strategically flawed in that, the better it works, the more incentive it gives our adversaries to use low-tech delivery methods for their NBC weapons.

NMD is insurance.

No, it’s pork barrel and snake oil.

We're good people and our children deserve to be safe from the slings and arrows.....

Yes! But the Bush administration’s NMD program isn’t going to make us any safer. It actually will probably make us less safe.

wrcooper - 11:35pm Oct 19, 2003 EST (# 15253 of 15263)

Oops

That's "no reason to doubt our motives".

lchic - 11:43pm Oct 19, 2003 EST (# 15254 of 15263)
ultimately TRUTH outs : TRUTH has to be morally forcing : build on TRUTH it's a strong foundation

The link between

The Emperor's New Clothes

and

Star Wars

is the commission

In the first the Tailor took it,

The Emperor's curiosity got the better of him and he decided to see the two scoundrels.

"Besides being invisible, your Highness, this cloth will be woven in colors and patterns created especially for you." The emperor gave the two men a bag of gold coins in exchange for their promise to begin working on the fabric immediately.

"Just tell us what you need to get started and we'll give it to you." The two scoundrels asked for a loom, silk, gold thread and then pretended to begin working. The Emperor thought he had spent his money quite well: in addition to getting a new extraordinary suit, he would discover which of his subjects were ignorant and incompetent. A few days later, he called the old and wise prime minister, who was considered by everyone as a man with common sense.

"Go and see how the work is proceeding," the Emperor told him, "and come back to let me know."

The prime minister was welcomed by the two scoundrels.

"We're almost finished, but we need a lot more gold thread. Here, Excellency! Admire the colors, feel the softness!" The old man bent over the loom and tried to see the fabric that was not there. He felt cold sweat on his forehead.

"I can't see anything," he thought. "If I see nothing, that means I'm stupid! Or, worse, incompetent!" If the prime minister admitted that he didn't see anything, he would be discharged from his office.

"What a marvelous fabric, he said then. "I'll certainly tell the Emperor." The two scoundrels rubbed their hands gleefully. They had almost made it. More thread was requested to finish the work.

Finally, the Emperor received the announcement that the two tailors had come to take all the measurements needed to sew his new suit.

"Come in," the Emperor ordered. Even as they bowed, the two scoundrels pretended to be holding large roll of fabric.

"Here it is your Highness, the result of our labour," the scoundrels said. "We have worked night and day but, at last, the most beautiful fabric in the world is ready for you. Look at the colors and feel how fine it is."

in the latter :

lchic - 11:44pm Oct 19, 2003 EST (# 15255 of 15263)
ultimately TRUTH outs : TRUTH has to be morally forcing : build on TRUTH it's a strong foundation

Reagan's bubble

SIR – I had occasion to speak confidentially with Edward Teller during Ronald Reagan's second term (Obituary, September 20th). As he was credited with authorship of the Strategic Defence Initiative (“Star Wars”), I asked him how it came about. He said that Reagan fashioned a bubble with his hands and said, “I wish I could put a protective shield over the country—to keep evil people from doing us harm.” Teller told the president his vision was possible.

I asked Teller if it would work. “Now? No,” he said and I asked why. He gave a bored shrug: “The technology doesn't exist.” This was an astounding admission from the chief architect of Star Wars. Though it failed it is still credited with hastening the downfall of the Soviet Union. Teller displayed a profound lack of interest in the morality of launching a massive programme he knew would not work, and an overriding interest in the morality of defeating America's enemies.

Grant Stockdale Washington, DC

Letters - Economist - Oct 16th 2003

http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=2137572

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