What do you all think about these missile defence shields that Bush wants to build in Eastern Europe? Do any of you think that Iran developing nuclear weapons and firing them at Europe is a real threat?
Also this shield wont cover areas like Bulgaria, where I'm living now (I don't see any reason why Iran would attack Bulgaria, then again I don't see any reason why they would attack most of Europe). It seems more likely they would be firing them at Israel.
..and Israel has nothing to worry about at all. I've mentioned this before - while the US and others are kicking up a fuss about Iran having nuclear weapons they're conveniently ignoring the fact that Israel has, and is developing, nuclear weapons of its own, with money provided to them by the US (despite the fact it's against their own laws).
It is ostensibly a defence from 'rogue states' such as North Korea and Iran, although I think it's much more the case that it's more of a move to try and restrict China and Russia's threat to the US - as they have already done in eastern Europe with the GUAM (I think that's how it's spelt) treaty and are possibly planning to in Asia alongside Japan, Australia and others.
| Tim Graham wrote: |
..and Israel has nothing to worry about at all. I've mentioned this before - while the US and others are kicking up a fuss about Iran having nuclear weapons they're conveniently ignoring the fact that Israel has, and is developing, nuclear weapons of its own, with money provided to them by the US (despite the fact it's against their own laws).
It is ostensibly a defence from 'rogue states' such as North Korea and Iran, although I think it's much more the case that it's more of a move to try and restrict China and Russia's threat to the US - as they have already done in eastern Europe with the GUAM (I think that's how it's spelt) treaty and are possibly planning to in Asia alongside Japan, Australia and others. |
It was France, not the United States, that gave Israel nuclear weapons. As you will read below, Israel even went out of its way to deceive and hide facts from U.S. inspectors. So please do not keep propagating this nonsense that the United States was behind Israel's nuclear development. The worse the U.S. did was not try and stop it once they realized it existed. Never has the United States supported and contributed to it.
http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/israel/nuke/
One might recall that is was France that also gave nuclear technology to Iraq before Israel destroyed the reactor.
As for the purposes of the missile defense system, I won't dispute the possible ulterior motives you proffered. However, I will point out that based on current technology such defense systems only protect against limited launches. From what I have read, they can easily be overwhelmed by multiple launches in the initial phase and MIRVs in the terminal phase.
Respectfully,
MBut it is common knowledge this program exists, and that Israel continues to receive military aid. I was wrong to draw a link between its development and the US, but it still stands AFAIK that it is against its own laws for America to provide military aid to a country with a nuclear weapons program - I still think that's quite hypocritical.
I'm rather conscious that I come accross as anti-American - I don't mean to, but given the nature of some of the US' actions past and present you'll probably sense that it's a something of a cause for irritation for me - but of course they're not the only ones to have poked and prodded where they shouldn't have, there are numerous cases almost anywhere.
Bush is just screwing up American International relations again. There is no nuclear threat and he is just dumb.
| roboguyspacedude wrote: |
| Bush is just screwing up American International relations again. There is no nuclear threat and he is just dumb. |
Okay, then you sit in your New York City apartment listening to the President of the United States tell you that you have twenty minutes to live because someone fired one missile at the United States. No one may be capable of it now, but the very idea that a developed nation like the United States can be threatened or blackmailed by a rogue nation with a single missile is an outrage! I don't care who is in office. Thus I believe it paramount that we develop missile defense capabilities.
This has been a pet peave of mine since the '80s.
Respectfully,
MHere here Moon. It’s similar to the US population not accepting that terror attacks on US soil were a threat, until the big 11.
A ‘pet peave’ of mine is America’s chronic complacency. After that it’s the silly dream of nuclear deproliferation and the tendency to stamp wise warnings with FASCIST.
Just think if evil Bush had struck the innocent passenger planes out of the sky on 9-11. Someone would have made a fortune on “Impeach Bush for killing airline passengers” bumper-stickers.
Anyway, the entire reason I posted this was to urge you to avoid posting a response to every numb-nut with something foolish to say. You know I like reading your post, so I don’t want you to get burned out. If you’re not getting paid to write a column for someone, I think you should.
| horseatingweeds wrote: |
| Anyway, the entire reason I posted this was to urge you to avoid posting a response to every numb-nut with something foolish to say. You know I like reading your post, so I don’t want you to get burned out. If you’re not getting paid to write a column for someone, I think you should. |
Thank you for the accolade. Perhaps I will look for a professional outlet. (And I'll try not to respond to every numb-nut). 
Mmissile defence, who is Bush tring to shield ?europe i think but i know the american government doesnt' stick ther hand in things that does't profit them. i think bush has somethinnng he;s not telling everyone.
| tevez wrote: |
| missile defence, who is Bush tring to shield ?europe i think but i know the american government doesnt' stick ther hand in things that does't profit them. i think bush has somethinnng he;s not telling everyone. |
Precisely,, why doesn't Bush accept Putins counter proposal which is to set a rader system in Azerbaijan and an early warning system in southern russia.
This way, it will protect the whole of Europe and not some of Europe.
The idea that its because of a threat from rogue states like NKorea and Iran is a fallacy.
- Primarily, Iran is unlikely to have long range missile capability for quite a long time. Bush's proposed system would take til 2013 and at a cost of $3.5 billion tax payers money. I doubt Iran is likely to have nuclear bomb by then, let alone long range missiles capable at attacking deep within Europe. Also, why would it attack Europe, when Israel remains her biggest enemy. And also, Iran's leader was elected, that means by then politics in Iran is most probable to have changed, since its not under dictatorship unlike other MidEast countries.
- Secondly, The Russians quite rightly feel it as a threat, and generously have provided the US of a better proposal.
If USA was to proceed with this stupid idea, it will simply create a new (unneeded) arms race.Don't blame Bush! He's just a pawn!
I think the military strategists who decided this Eastern Europe defense shield is the best thing to do for US are a bunch of idiots who will only succeed in antagonizing Russia.
For those who are mislead by some media reports, US is not the only superpower. Russia never ceased to be a military superpower: its nuclear arsenal dwarfs the rest of the world (including US).
And Russia has huge natural resources, which were used in the recent years to pave the way for an economic superpower. Forget China! Pay attention to the rising Russia!
besides the satelite laser defense system, there is also an article i read on a mobile laser defense system currently being researched. It's a modified boeing plane with about 6 laser turrets each the size of a mini van tat can be used to shoot down missles when they are being launched. don't know if it can work once the missles gain their velocity & speed. But budgets have been slashed on the project and it can only be expected to complete in 5 years. Missile defense is good to prevent them from hitting innocent civilians and disasters. Peace is of course a better solution.
