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 - 06:13pm May 1, 2001 EST (#2918 of 2936)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

The proposal in more detail was set out, with some comment from our "Putin stand it" -- almarst , in the following postings, and elsewhere.

953: rshowalter 3/12/01 1:24pm
956: rshowalter 3/12/01 2:17pm
958: rshowalter 3/12/01 2:36pm
960: rshowalter 3/12/01 2:47pm
961: rshowalter 3/12/01 2:47pm
962: rshowalter 3/12/01 2:51pm
963: rshowalter 3/12/01 2:55pm

960 rshowalter 3/12/01 2:47pm ... starts:

Here are questions, well suited to large journalistic organizations which, if well answered, could facilitate the practical jobs peace might take. The answers would also be the basis for good stories from a journalistic point of view. No doubt there are many other good questions. I offer these as examples.

962 rshowalter 3/12/01 2:51pm .... starts:

Plainly, this might seem like "play acting" -- but it would serve a quite practical purpose -- getting the needs of disarmament coherent enough to pursue.

Once these questions were answered, it would be much harder for objectors to say "we can't do it" without giving coherent reasons.

The sort of reasons they now lack, and don't feel obligated to set forward.

rshowalter - 06:18pm May 1, 2001 EST (#2919 of 2936)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

In this thread, dialog with the "Putin stand in" almarst has gone far enough for a very conditional but clear acceptance of the idea of full nuclear disarmament (of course, on this thread's play acting basis) for "Russia."

In a sense "only play acting."

But I believe the facts and arguments traced in this thread are among the facts and arguments that the real nation states would have to trace through for accomodation.

Having these facts set out on the internet, for all to see, would make for logical stability, and the building of consensus in an area where building confidence is very important, and disagreements have to be faced, and dealt with, rather than hidden.

possumdag - 06:39pm May 1, 2001 EST (#2920 of 2936)
Possumdag@excite.com

Just starting my day downunder and reading to date:

Begs the question - where is popular-consulted-democracy in the USA ?

Seems the people vote in a 'Pig-in-a-Poke' for President who then sets his own, pardon me, his father's agenda.

The StarWars concept is seen as a huge JOKE on the international threads ... outside the USA people have a fair idea that it's a hoax being pulled on the American people -- why don't regular Americans appreciate this?

If they did, then HOW could their VOICE be tuned in with sufficient VOLUME to stop Bwsh in his tracks?

From recent threads the concept of a PEACE weekend would seem feasable, a world media bash with rock concert and world tv time ...

would popular-culture and people power be sufficient to stop Bwsh from reaching .. for the STARS ?

possumdag - 06:41pm May 1, 2001 EST (#2921 of 2936)
Possumdag@excite.com

America is seen as a LEGAL country ... it has actions brought on the slightest of things .. wouldn't there be an action regarding the Conflict of Interest listed here ?

rshowalter - 06:44pm May 1, 2001 EST (#2922 of 2936)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Hi Dawn ! .. I'm off to get sweaty. Back in a while.

rshowalter - 06:58pm May 1, 2001 EST (#2923 of 2936)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Some ideas propagate through a culture. Some fizzle.

Why?

I wrote a poem about that. Chain Breakers http://talk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?13@@.ee7ec3f/119

Peace is a good idea (or system of ideas and accomodations) that we'd like not to fizzle.

possumdag - 07:01pm May 1, 2001 EST (#2924 of 2936)
Possumdag@excite.com

PrettyWoman

(12 following messages)

New York Times on the Web Forums Science Missile Defense