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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.

lchic - 01:38am Aug 22, 2002 EST (# 3884 of 3891)

"In days gone by, the most venerated journalists found their news among the people," said Hartigan in a speech about the future of newspapers. "They congregated in pubs, among the coppers and crims; they sniffed out their scoops in bars and public places, and they talked to people, face to face, living the truism – you don't find news hanging around the office.

"Today we find our reporters from tertiary-educated backgrounds, where so many seem to aspire to present A Current Affair – but know nothing of, and seem to resent, the years of experience and work it takes to get there.

"Today we are in danger of producing a generation of journalists who know people only over the telephone – and then, only hear the views of spin doctors, whether they be corporate or political.

"Today, the tendency is for the top journalists, particularly those known as the opinion-makers, to dine in the best restaurants, be seen in all the right places and live in the best addresses.

"Today the tendency among snob journalists is to observe the world from a quiet and carpeted office; to contemplate where one might go for a superior coffee or cuisine, to sit back and let the press releases roll in, to choose the news from wire services, agencies or handouts, rather than getting out there and finding it – fresh and raw."

~~~~~

From my point of view, I'd much rather have a specialist, the more experienced journalists, doing the work, because they understand the issues better and they are able to make better judgments, examine things more critically and recognise trends in a particular area," Smith says. "With a lot of younger journalists that aren't specialists in their field, I think they've got an instinctive response to put up the shutters."

Of some solace is the view of Smith and other issues management consultants interviewed for this piece that there is still a strong body of senior journalists in newsrooms despite the intrusion of the PR industry – providing both mentoring and wisdom to those new to the job.

"At the top end of the media, they are better than ever," Smith says. "The best of journalism is better than it's ever been, but I've got concerns about the middle and the next generation, because the nature of media has changed.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,4937038%5E7582,00.html

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lchic - 02:36am Aug 22, 2002 EST (# 3885 of 3891)

A vision of dystopia

This is for real, not the sequel to a sci-fi thriller. The World Bank paints a picture of a catastrophic global future if we do not change the way we live

Larry Elliott, economics editor Thursday August 22, 2002 The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldsummit2002/story/0,12264,778754,00.html

lchic - 02:40am Aug 22, 2002 EST (# 3886 of 3891)

"" So what is the Bank's blueprint for sustainable development? It says:

· developing countries should act to clean up their governments, promoting participation and democracy, inclusiveness and transparency as they build the institutions needed to manage their resources;

· rich countries need to be less selfish by increasing aid, offering more generous debt relief, opening their markets to developing country exporters and helping transfer technologies needed to prevent diseases, increase energy efficiency and bolster agricultural productivity;

· civil society organisations should be encouraged to serve as a voice for the weak and powerless, and to provide independent verification of public, private and non-governmental performance;

· private firms should be more focused on sustainability in their day to day activities, and have incentives to pursue profit while advancing environmental and social objectives.

kalter.rauch - 04:47am Aug 22, 2002 EST (# 3887 of 3891)
Earth vs <^> <^> <^>

bbbuck 8/22/02 1:13am

Because I like lchic's posts.

Back off, dude......lchic insulted me first! She hates ME the MOST!!!

lchic - 07:38am Aug 22, 2002 EST (# 3888 of 3891)

From GU thread

"" The White House has been hijacked. We have been terrified into supporting a war-for-profit, because, as Hermann Goering put it, 'they have told us we are being attacked.' Our economy is being bled dry, the constitution has been shredded and the ones profiting are the Bush gang and their wealthy backers.

The harsh reality is; Mr. Bush and his shadowy bunch , do not respect elections, Congress, the constitution, freedoms, do not respect Democrats or Republicans. In short they operate entirely above and beyond the law.

http://politicstalk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?50@@.eecea20/0

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