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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 - 07:50pm Jul 11, 2001 EST (#6939 of 6947)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

How far we from the possibilty of a much deeper, more hopeful peace?

MD6478 rshowalter 7/3/01 4:09pm

It seems to me that neither almarst , nor gisterme (nor Putin , nor Bush ) could answer the following question subject to a single kind of public crossexamination:

" What is it that you want to happen , based on facts you know -- just in terms of the interests you represent?

The crossexamination would be limited to a single line --

" Can you reasonably want that -- do you reasonably want that -- in light of the facts?

If we had definitions that far it would , it seems to me a great deal would be possible.

We may not be so far from that.

But now, it seems to me that the Bush administration is eager, irrationally eager, to build a system that cannot be built, based on arguments that are clearly, checkably false. That can't be something that reasonable representatives of United States interest can reasonably want.

It also seems to me that the Russians are irrationally afraid of entirely impractical technical proposals. And take far more comfort from Russia's nuclear weapons than they should -- when nuclear weapons can't be used.

These issues are getting clarified. If leaders, of major nation states want them more clarified -- and clarified in a more public way . . . it could be done.

It would be good for the world. The process might materially reduce problems, very real today, with "news and the culture of lying." With the resources of the internet, these problems can be dealt with and solved much more effectively than before.

Am I assuming that the core problems are between the US and Russia? I am. If those problems were resolved - the diplomacy of all the rest would fall into much better order - on all the issues close to nuclear weapons, and on other issues of getting from cold war to real peace.

I'm assuming something else. For peace that works -- for cooperations that work - - emotional issues and issues of history have to be dealt with -- and can be.

I wouldn't have to be involved -- and other people would have to be involved. But ideas are converging, and it seems to me that the mechanics could work.

lunarchick - 07:55pm Jul 11, 2001 EST (#6940 of 6947)
lunarchick@www.com

Lots of t h i n k i n g points above guys. NADOC
It's Aborigianal week this week. There are lots of media programs related to Aboriginal issues. A major problem under discussion is the 'violence' in their communities ... and how they are trying to combat alcohol, glue/petrol sniffing/ physical violence .. ultimately these things have to be done through education programs set up within the community to change behaviour and set new patterns.

With respect to (wrt) the standard of behaviour within a Nations ARMY.
Australians were very proud of the way PETER COSGROVE handled matters in East Timor ... where the behaviour of the Australian force was to an extremely high standard.
Ultimately the way to set standards within an army is to make the 'heads' of Army units responsible for the behaviour of each individual soldier in the field. Wrt happenings in Chechnia this past week .. Australians would expect the commanding officers who oversaw these events to be immediately relieved of their duties (sacked) and new leaders with a modern value system to be appointed.

lunarchick - 08:17pm Jul 11, 2001 EST (#6941 of 6947)
lunarchick@www.com

Were there a genuine concern from Russia regarding these happenings, 5 people murdered, 20 missing - perhaps murdered. Property destroyed. People traumatised, and tortured.

Were there a genuine concern ... then those 'in charge' of the units that inflicted this on the local population, the leaders, should be taken back to that place and made to sit in the local hall with the civillians and listen to what they have suffered.

If the Russian Government wanted world credibility it would be seen to compensate for property replacement, trauma, ... and set out to establish economic means of existence in that land ... there would be goodwill for this from the EU / French perhaps. Russia should be seen as a 'problem solver' not a problem instigator.

lunarchick - 08:25pm Jul 11, 2001 EST (#6942 of 6947)
lunarchick@www.com

Peter cosgrove Army Australia.

Reforming an army is a MANAGEMENT solution! Russia should look to the methods deployed here.

lunarchick - 08:30pm Jul 11, 2001 EST (#6943 of 6947)
lunarchick@www.com

In a landmark decision, the Israeli Supreme Court has ruled that Arab citizens are entitled to be represented on official bodies on the grounds of affirmative action.

The case specifically involved the Israeli Lands Council, which controls development across most of the country, but has wider implications that could affect all government-appointed boards in Israel.

The council has 24 members and had no Arab representatives until one was selected after the legal challenge was mounted. http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/2001/07/12/FFXUNFJZZOC.html

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