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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.

rshow55 - 12:36pm Jul 13, 2002 EST (#3034 of 3046)

The old radio show starts:

" Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men . . . the SHADOW knows . . . "

Well, it seems to me that if you imagine yourself as "the shadow" - - and think about what you really know . . . you'll care about proportion, and truth, and mercy - - and ask, in real cases "What matters?"

In the current political mess, the truth matters in a number of places, for clear reasons of safety and decency.

It seems to me that a number of folks near the masthead of The New York Times , who think not only with their minds but with their hearts, often do pretty well. Their readers, too. Things need to be fixed, and can be.

Some fictions about the Bush administration are too dangerous and expensive to tolerate. More people should listen to Krugman - and think for themselves.

lchic - 12:49pm Jul 13, 2002 EST (#3035 of 3046)

... should not undertake projects for which they are not adequately trained or prepared ... article 2.3 from the code of archeologists ^{http://www.e-a-a.org/Codeprac.htm}

How are presidents 'prepared' - do they have a code of ethics?

rshow55 - 01:07pm Jul 13, 2002 EST (#3036 of 3046)

Sometimes, there are ideas that need to be widely understood - - some simple enough to teach as rhymes in nursery schools.

4 year olds could learn this one - - first by rote -- and it would be good if they did. ... lchic 7/11/02 4:28pm

"Adults have secrets
"lies and fictions

"Live in their world
"of contradictions

Everybody ought to know that . . . we'd all be safer if they did. But we'd also be safer if another lesson were added. Let me take a shot:

- - - - - - -

Adults have secrets
lies and fictions

Live in their world
of contradictions

But if things go bad
and knock about

Folks get together
And work it out.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Of course people need fictions, for all kinds of reasons. Everybody knows that. At some levels anyway. Everybody should know it better, more clearly, deeper.

People need fictions. So do groups. But what do they cost? Who do they hurt? When those answers make a little examination make sense, it should happen.

We need to check some things about the Bush administration, and legacies of the Cold War that shouldn't go on - - and we should do it now.

lchic - 01:07pm Jul 13, 2002 EST (#3037 of 3046)

Plain Sailing

In a fresh breeze, sails billow and strain against masts and rigging. Ropes and spars gently creak and sunlight sparkles on the sea. (Tall Ships)

On presidents too it might say the same.

The problem for the little-guy is that he assumes that people in postions of responsibility
have a code of ethics from which they work.

How can 'the little-guy' exhert shareholder influence over either a company or a nation?

rshow55 - 01:17pm Jul 13, 2002 EST (#3038 of 3046)

By being a real, full person - - and insisting that s/he be treated that way.

lchic - 01:21pm Jul 13, 2002 EST (#3039 of 3046)

The USA has an interesting process for electing presidents ... it requires the getting-of-a-lot-of-cash to fund a campaigne.

Were the emphasis on the 'quality' of the leader and less on the means of funding an election - then more good candidates for high office might filter through.

Does 'the office of president' carry too much sway in the USA? Seems like a grab for power as and against those in the People's House. Presidents come through as swashbuckling campaigners ... might there be more of a role for a person with experience in the People's House to carry out People's business?

Does the office of president have far too much power (and funding)? Shouldn't many of the duties be 'moved back' and put under the control and regulation of 'the people'?

Traditionally those who run and don't make president are not selected to re-run. If this applies to Al Gore - then who looks like a candidate for president in upcoming and future elections?

lchic - 01:25pm Jul 13, 2002 EST (#3040 of 3046)

A response such as that rshow55 7/13/02 1:17pm implies that the USA voter is half-deflated ... not full blown ... has only half-understanding ... might not make it to the poll .... has given-up on government ... doesn't think his/her vote counts for anything much.

rshow55 - 01:35pm Jul 13, 2002 EST (#3041 of 3046)

We need, in Lincoln's memorable phrase, a rebirth of freedom.

lchic - 01:42pm Jul 13, 2002 EST (#3042 of 3046)

via 'natural birth' which is reputed to be 'painful' or, via the shortcut, or plastic surgery ... ?

How does one get to freedom?

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