New York Times on the Web Forums Science

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.

almarst2002 - 06:27pm Nov 17, 2002 EST (# 5876 of 5884)

"Those rules must permit the use of force, once clear criteria are met"

One of the most importand results of the WWII was an unconditional rejection of the use of force to solve the international disputes. The only legitimate use of force could be in case of aggression or an imminent aggression by the much lalrger force against a very small nation which could not afford to survive the first strike.

None of those ever could apply to the US-initiated wars since then. The bombing of Serbia over Kosovo was the defining moment of the post-WWII history. The masks where thrown off.

rshow55 - 06:27pm Nov 17, 2002 EST (# 5877 of 5884)
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.

almarst2002 11/17/02 6:20pm asks

"What is so special in Islam other then a unified factor just as nathionalism, racism or chauvinism?

Nationalism and chauvanism are difficulties, too.

Back within 10 minutes on what is "so special" about Islam.

rshow55 - 06:30pm Nov 17, 2002 EST (# 5878 of 5884)
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.

almarst2002 11/17/02 6:27pm . . . there have to be some exceptions - and there need to be clear rules about them.

Negotiations are ongoing - but "no violations of the territorial integrity of nation states" is no longer an acceptable rule - unless there is exception handling to over-ride the rule - when actions within boarders have too much effect beyond them.

almarst2002 - 06:31pm Nov 17, 2002 EST (# 5879 of 5884)

"people are supposed to do what they agreed to do."

I assume that should apply equaly to all. And first of all to the most powerful and developed nations.

Now, do you think we should go thru all the promises broken and discarded, some quite very recently, by the US?

rshow55 - 06:39pm Nov 17, 2002 EST (# 5880 of 5884)
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.

almarst2002 11/17/02 6:31pm . . . I agree that we should. But Saddam agreed to disarm, the Security Council voted as it did - and unless Saddam disarms - considering the threats that he's made in the past, and his stance now - I think he and his regime should be taken down.

I feel quite comfortable saying that - and it is perfectly consistent with my belief that a lot of other things should be set right, as well.

The man is a menace - and he's said the things he's said - and reinterated them, in many ways that matter, just this last week.

Crazy people are particularly dangerous - and if Saddam refuses to disarm now -- really disarm - I'll be for taking him down.

President Bush and I disagree about a great deal - but at that point - we'll have some agreement about what to do about Saddam.

almarst2002 - 06:40pm Nov 17, 2002 EST (# 5881 of 5884)

rshow55 11/17/02 6:30pm

This may be seen as an opening of the Pandora Box.

Who are those exactly to decide and even more importandly, ACT when they dislike some other nation-state policies. As it is seems today, the ability to use force with relative impunity is sufficient enough for intervention. And since there is never absolute right or wrong, the brute force become the LAW of the LAND. Back to the Wild West. The one who has the bigger the Gun is always right. At least he does not live alive anyone who may not agree.

It is good to remember, the power may not stay forever in one pair of hands. And most likely, will not.

(3 following messages)

New York Times on the Web Forums Science Missile Defense