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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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commondata - 07:30am Dec 12, 2002 EST (# 6543 of 6549)

rshow55 12/11/02 8:14pm -- If the inspections work - and war is avoided - a lot of progress has been made.

I hope you're right, but though one may share your optimism, not everybody has to. The "regime change, regime change, regime change" rhetoric coming out of Washingon and the $92 million dollars they're spending on a replacement Iraqi puppet government doesn't inspire much optimism in me. Your sharp justifications are neither.

1. Iraq signed a deal

And as you know, it's widely believed to have kept to that deal in every way that matters to international security.

2. The Security Council, after 8 weeks of wrangling - voted 15:1 for forceful inspections.

The Security Council voted for inspections, not war, and there has been no sign of respect from the Bush administration for the following principle (see Lawyers Statement on UN Resolution 1441 on Iraq):

Article 2(4) of the UN Charter prohibits any nation from using force. The Charter contains only two exceptions: when such force is employed in self-defense or when it is authorized by the UN Security Council. Thus far the Security Council has been unwilling to authorize a U.S. attack against Iraq. This refusal, reflecting the widespread international sentiment against war with Iraq, makes any unilateral U.S. attack on Iraq illegal under international law.

The UN is seen as a hinderance to the real goal of aggressive regime change. I simply do not believe that current structures of global governance, presided over by the Washington oil cabal, will take us quickly enough from Lchic's Yesterday to Lchic's Tomorrow. Though a lot of good work is being done.

rshow55 - 08:14am Dec 12, 2002 EST (# 6544 of 6549)
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.

I think that there are significant forces - even in the Bush administration - that are receptive to a peaceful resolution in Iraq - under conditions that not only look possible - but are coming into being.

The United States has gone to a lot of trouble, since September, dealing with the UN - and for a reason.

It seems to me that if people at the UN, in Iraq - and in oil companies in France and Russia with a huge stake in peace looked again at ideas already set out - - we could have a resolution that would work very well - and my guess is - a solution that might even please George W. Bush and his father - who may both be corrupt figures - but who are also, I believe - people who have other committments and concerns apart from running an "oil cabal."

commondata - 08:52am Dec 12, 2002 EST (# 6545 of 6549)

North Korea restarts nuclear programme

lunarchick - 10:22am Dec 12, 2002 EST (# 6546 of 6549)

Some 'bunkers' are more attractive than others!

commondata - 10:35am Dec 12, 2002 EST (# 6547 of 6549)

- widespread belief throughout Chinese history in taking your goods to the afterworld.

- what else would an emporer need but an army?

- even today fake money is burnt at Chinese funerals. This can be used to bribe your way to heaven. Realpolitik in death!

lunarchick - 10:41am Dec 12, 2002 EST (# 6548 of 6549)

Just pragmatic!

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