New York Times on the Web Forums Science

Missile Defense

Russian military leaders have expressed concern about US plans for a national missile defense system. Will defense technology be limited by possibilities for a strategic imbalance? Is this just SDI all over again?

rshowalter - 01:43pm Apr 6, 2001 EST (#2066 of 2068)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

A good summary of the thread argument to March 1 is in #813 to #818 rshowalter 3/1/01 4:08pm

That is also set out, with more summaries, summarizing the argument to March 23 in http://talk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?14@@.ee7a163/158

That thread, "PSYCHWAR, CASABLANCA, AND TERROR has interested many on other grounds, and you might find it interesting from the beginning http://talk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?14@@.ee7a163/0 and especially the core story part, from postin 13 http://talk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?14@@.ee7a163/12 to posting 23 http://talk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?14@@.ee7a163/22

"Lunarchick" --"Dawn Riley, of Brisbane Australia" and I have been discussing these issues extensively with a senior Russian figure speaking under a pseudonym, who raises an issue that I respond to: almarst-2001 3/28/01 4:47pm
rshowalter 3/28/01 4:52pm
rshowalter 3/28/01 4:57pm

On a point related to negotiating skills for Russians, I wrote a series of postings, that was of interest to the Russians, and that I conveyed to ExxonMobil - a company that has business with Russia, and competes with her: rshowalter 3/29/01 11:14am

From time to time I've emphasizes the "Casablanca" thread, which the Russians like: rshowalter 3/29/01 12:07pm

There have been a number of postings on the thread that I believe are good writing, by professional standards, including standards at the New York Times. Some are posted in 1801: rshowalter 3/30/01 6:33pm and more in 1825- 1828: rshowalter 3/31/01 11:42am
rshowalter 3/31/01 11:46am
rshowalter 3/31/01 11:47am
eurocore 3/31/01 12:55pm

(From the NYT point of view, we are also doing applied research on uses of the internet in dialog and persuasion.)

Something about myself is set out in rshowalter 4/3/01 11:52am

The thread continues actively. I believe that there is a chance to move the dialog favoring nuclear safety and disarmament along substantially. I believe that participating (yea, leading !) in that is right at the center of your organization's charter, and hope you agree.

I'd be most grateful for a chance to talk to you again (or you could call me, at your own convenience, at 608 - 829-3657 ) and I'd be honored to come down to Chicago (not so far from Madison Wisconsin) if you, and any people you might thing wise, would have time to talk to me. Meetings with the NYT writer in question here are discussable, too. There are times, I believe, when face to face contact, and an establishing of comfort levels, is indispensible.

I am also sending you copies of correspondence with the Jane Goodall institute -- Goodall is on the board of GSI. I'm also sending this correspondence to Johnathan Granoff, Director of GSI http://www.gsinstitute.org/ .

Stryker of Goodall's organization said of Granoff

...."I hope that he will be able to suggest ways that you can work towards the shared goal of a safer world for all of us."

I hope that's true of you, too.

We are involved in a "courtship" and, like a courtship, there are issues that have to be approached obliquely. Nor are any of our suggestions "cast in stone." But we believe we are well connected, and doing promising work that, with your help, guidance, and leadership, might perhaps lead to something of use. Alone, we c

rshowalter - 01:44pm Apr 6, 2001 EST (#2067 of 2068)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Alone, we can do little, but if we can combine with other people and organizations, we feel we may move the cause of peace along substantially, and at the least produce some really first rate journalism, for a number of major papers around the world.

Sincerely yours,

Bob

M. Robert Showalter