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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 - 09:42pm Jul 10, 2001 EST (#6905 of 6907)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

As for me -- I'm tired. I'm having a beer, and knocking off for tonight.

Thoughts connected to some movies are on my mind as I leave:
MD3383 rshowalter 5/6/01 8:37pm ... MD3384 rshowalter 5/6/01 8:37pm
MD3385 rshowalter 5/6/01 8:41pm

Especially this: .. MD2887 rshowalter 5/1/01 12:31pm .. :

" I feel that we need to move away from Dr. Stragelove "solutions" -- and toward the kinds of focused, disciplined, graceful solutions that ordinary people so often craft in their own lives -- the sorts of solutions that make room for life -- the kinds that another very tough character, Mary Poppins , might approve of.

" Something I've always liked about the movie Mary Poppins is that the heroine moves into a ugly mess. The ugliness is realistically portrayed. With some steadfastness, and some grace, she uses very specific knowledge of specific people and situations. There's the occasional coercive act or credible threat, but always she is proportionate, and graceful outcomes are arranged as well. Things are worked out to a higher level of grace and practicality than existed in the household before, though nobody loses their basic weaknesses and flaws.

" We've had a lot of Dr. Strangelove in our international arrangements. Maybe we can't do away with all of it, though I think we can.

" But we could use some of the Mary Poppins virtues, too.

Nite.

almarst-2001 - 09:43pm Jul 10, 2001 EST (#6906 of 6907)

Robert,

I am not here to defend or even discuss Russian positions, unless someone makes a credible case its dangerows to Americans living in Peace.

Why not to live each one to deal with its own problems and not to interfear into someone elses house pretending you are a saint if not a God?

As far as I know, nobody criticises the US health insurance (or lack of) for 40 million of its citizens. Nor the incredible economical inequality of this country.

I don't recall the last time china or Russia criticized the US for a death penalties or racial "profiling" or the fact the most of its 2 millon prisoners are non whites. Or the killings of unarmed blacks on its streets. Or the ghetto character of its devastated cities. Or the lack of a public transportation. The terrible schools. The incarceration of an Chinese-born scholar for over 6 month I believe, with no official charge. And many many more things this country has to deal with, including its own war criminals and interpretation of the history.

rshowalter - 09:48pm Jul 10, 2001 EST (#6907 of 6907)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Why not?

Maybe a few reasons of detail.

To be worked out.

Things have to be done step by step.

For the real people involved, as they are.

My head's tired. I'm gone for tonight.

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