Subject:
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Re: Are we doing the right thing?
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Sat, 1 Sep 2001 14:40:46 GMT
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Viewed:
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626 times
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Lindsay Frederick Braun writes:
> > > Which is exactly why that foolish missile-defense nonsense is so dangerous.
> > > We're liable to create just the right conditions for a nuclear "incident" • with
> > > this money-sink, er, national defense system. This whole issue just makes • me
> > > sick to think about it.
> >
> > With that logic, I'd expect you to next say that bulletproof vests on police
> > officers invite criminals to shoot them.
>
> I don't think that's a fair extension. Bulletproof vests are
> *not* sold as a guarantee of protection, rather as an added
> margin of safety in given situations.
On the other hand, there is something to be said for Tim's extension (though
it's clear that he meant it as counterfactual) as worth thinking about. If I
were preparing an action of some kind that had a plausibility of needing to
shoot armored cops, I would certainly use armor-piercing ammunition. And that
might increase collateral casualties. In that way, the missile defense shield
could also stimulate escalation.
I'm not arguing with the lack of winnability issue, I agree. But there's
promoted escalation too. Or maybe that just fits in with your talk about
gaining an edge.
> > It is imperative to our national security that we defend ourselves against
> > attacks. Especially because the weapons of mass destruction are making their
> > way into the hands of terrorists.
> Nuclear terrorism won't come from above--it'll come from within,
Yup. But a space-based infrastructure of _any_ kind is a good thing. I happen
to think that it's good enough to be worth the (relatively low) risk of
thermonuclear war.
Chris
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Are we doing the right thing?
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| (...) That's a good point, and another way of getting at the problem with a missile shield. Putin has, in fact, hinted that this would be the case--can you imagine nuclear missiles with advanced ECM capability? *shudder* (...) It does, but I didn't (...) (23 years ago, 1-Sep-01, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Are we doing the right thing?
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| (...) I don't think that's a fair extension. Bulletproof vests are *not* sold as a guarantee of protection, rather as an added margin of safety in given situations. The problem with missile-defence is precisely that which James and Dave pointed out: (...) (23 years ago, 1-Sep-01, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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