UConn James
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Posts posted by UConn James
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Find a globe, draw the great-circle ballistic routes from North Korea to the West Coast, then note wher the ABMs are deployed. THEN read the news articles from yesterday about the deployment of three Aegis ships to the Sea of Japan for missile defense work. Then tell me again it's not about North Korea, and it doesn't meet the "current threat'.
Fact is...I've discussed this ad infinitum already. I just don't want to re-type it.
I've got maybe a dozen posts on the subject if you want to look them up (and if they're still here on the new server). The short version is: I support the principle of the ABM system, but think the deployment is premature. I think the premature deployment is a partly a function of a policy of linking anti-proliferation closely to anti-terrorism (too closely in my opinion), partly a PR exercise to counter the preceived threat of the DPRK nuclear program, and partly an actual attempt to construct some defense against the DPRK nuclear program.I think the testing isn't misrepresenting the system, it's just incomplete (all testing done so far is equivalent to unit testing...a test is designed to validate a specific functional area of the entire system, like mid-course guidance, and is scripted for such. If such a test fails to intercept a target, it's still a successful test if the mid-course guidance works...but from the non-scientific view it's considered unsuccessful because it "didn't work". The problem isn't that the testing misrepresents the functionality of the system...the media actually misrepresents the purpose of the testing. The REAL problem is that the testing's incomplete. The system being deployed is a prototype that's being deployed before it's completely validated, on the principle that it's "better than nothing" (which it probably is).
But before you go criticizing it (and to a great degree, I agree with you), you have some misconceptions about the program (and the testing in particular) you might want to clear up... (No insult intended...though I'm sure some will be taken. C'est la vie.)
I don't take insult with a logical argument. I started the thread to discuss the issue. Thanks for your input.
I realize that the "current threat" only means that it's the old threat of country-country war plus the new threat of individuals w/in countries attacking other countries. However, I think the new threat trumps the old slightly. MAD would dictate that NK knows if it sends off a nuke to Alaska (who really cares about AK tho?
) they will be blasted into the Crustaceous Era, no matter who the president is. And if NK is such a big threat, why did we start a war of choice in Iraq so we'd potentially have wars on multiple fronts? If you look through history, that has done in many great civilizations and some not-great ones too The "Axis of Evil" comment was sheer stupidity b/c whatever chance we had for diplomacy was thrown out in one sentence. . "Star Wars" deployment put the cart before the horse. Would you say this is similar to NASA sending up Hubble knowing it wasn't up to snuff, then did some fairly risky spacewalks to do the replacement work? Hubble didn't cost $1 trillion, tho, and provided immediate benefits. Chalk that up to gov't spending rules. I understand the concept of testing new technology. And like you write, a test that looks like a failure can actually provide useful information or confirm that an aspect of the system worked. But it's going on 20 years with this stuff, and there is a track record of projects continued long after their worth has been shown to be nil simply b/c some senator has clout and it's built in their state (See: Osprey, Rosen Hawks (my brother was in two tailspins at Drum before the pilots somehow got control) as only the most recent). Not saying that the theory isn't desirable but the costs... the costs. Both monetary and human.
And something that gives me the red ass is there was a test scheduled for this month that is now being postponed until after the election. For someone who's so interested in our nation's security as the No. 1 priority that sure smacks of a political move. If you're going to push for something, you'd better be prepared to take the bad with the good rather than defer to a more convenient time.
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Bump.
Seeing the warm-ups on CBS pregame, they're going with the mo' and it IS blue on blue today!
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You think Franks would admit to one and all that he caved to political pressure? There are generals, now (made) retired, who aren't in bed with the neo-cons who say it was a bad move. Yep, the Army found Saddam by drastically reducing the forces in Iraq and outsourcing the job to Saudi Arabian soldiers....
P.S. If not serving in the military disqualifies people from commenting, why is it that these neocons (who never served in the military) have been allowed to take over the Pentagon? Why was Dick Cheney allowed to be Secretary of Defense? Why was Shinseki (spelling?) overruled by the neocons and then retired for disagreeing with them?Well put.
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Well, I was hoping for discussion of the talking points rather than people saying: 'North Korea --- Be Afraid!!'
Yeah, in theory, it'd be nice to have this defense feature. But the reality is that at best, it's doubtful the technology will be developed anywhere in the near future (read: N. Korean gov't will probably self-implode before this happens), if it can be done at all. Diverting resources from where they're needed to piddle with something that will provide no benefit is something this admin. has gotten very good at.
Pulling out of the ABMT is one of the most irresponsible things we could do. Simply sets the stage for a spiraling nuclear chaos.
"Jump the shark." Heh heh.
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All we got was: Bush supports it, Kerry doesn't (at least not with the current setup or cost).
Everything I've read about this, from POLS classes to articles to statements, says this system has cost ~$100B so far and will continue to cost about $10B a year if it's continued. Says a PBS article: "The total cost of developing, building and operating a U.S. antimissile shield could climb to well over a trillion dollars."
It's been described as trying to shoot a bullet with another bullet. And the only reason there have been successful tests were that the "warhead" was implanted with a GPS system that the "interceptor" used. Other countries' warheads might not be equipped with this, or be willing to share such information..... [/sarcasm]
Never mind that this whole thing does not fit into the new threat. You really think that if the terrorists obtain nuclear material, they're going to send it over in a missile rather than a suicide bomber that sneaks across the border or in a shipping container? And this seems outdated even for conventional country-to-country nuclear war. Why go through the same routine where it can be traced back to you when you can send it in exactly as the terrorists might, and then be able to throw your hands up and say "Not us!"
The money and the human effort would be better spent elsewhere in the WoT.
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Excuse me, but it's a way of explaining a vote, not a war. Since Kerry's explanation seems to go over everyone's heads, I wanted to help explain. Out of it I picked a shoe analogy.
Both of my brothers have fought in this war, one of whom narrowly escaped death by missile and C-5 c r a s h. Don't you dare tell me I'm making a joke of it.
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UConn beat the Pittsburgh Panthers 29-17 last night for their first career Big East win. Man, what a long 3 years it must have been for them. WOO HOO!!!
Actually, we've officially been D-IA for 5 years, tho the first three were in anonymity still playing a lot of D-IAA teams. Last year as an Independent, went 9-3 (should've had a bowl game) and beat some respectable teams.
Nice to be in the Big East this year, even tho it's going to be a shill conference when they renew the BCS....
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Yep, all the money we put into each American soldier for training, equipment, etc., and a lot of them are coming home in bodybags too. Point being that when you're a sitting duck target, no amount of training is going to be overwhelmingly effective. It's a matter of skill, luck and wrong time-wrong place.
Why is the training 24 weeks, when Judicial Marshal training here in CT is 2 weeks? State Police Training takes about 6 months here, but that's for an elite group. Iraq doesn't need an elite group right now. When you're bleeding heavily, that first bandage isn't going to look too good, so you use absorbant pads, not the high-tech non-stick pads. Granted that the Iraqis being trained aren't nearly as educated (then again, high schools here graduate kids with a 60 average.... And I've seen that done). Think about all the Rent-a-Cops we've got as security in this country, because at this popint, that's what you've gotta use. You may not like how it sounds, but OTJE is the only way you really learn anything, and yeah, guys are going to die. That's a fact of this war and something that should have been FULLY realized before we went in rather than Rumsfeld counting his beans. Now that it's on, the mess has to be cleaned up, and that can't happen w/ this administration continually trying to put square pegs into round holes.
When all you've got is Ross Tucker, you've gotta use Ross Tucker. (And to his credit, he looked pretty good out there last season, and got better as it went along).
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Just sayin'.
Maybe a little change-up in the mojo would work where all else has failed. Actually, just for stevestojans and giggles, what is the win-loss breakdown in wearing the monochrome unis vs. the blue-white?
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Touche. I did the college thing b/c my knees wouldn't last 10 minutes in Basic Training.
My brothers have, tho. And they both say that while the Iraqis and other -istan country's denizens aren't the brightest bulbs in the bunch, it's a combo of training and OTJE. You need to put asses on the street, just like on the football field.
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Funny, b/c that's prol'ly what Gore was thinking with the "sighs" that were blown way out of proportion.
Like "nation-building" that was the worst of evils and after 9/11, magically became our one way to solve the world's ills. Who was right about that one?
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Where did you get the draft talk from? Rangel, who himself said it was a ploy on his part to generate a look at the racial makeup of the military? Kerry has never said he would institute a draft and is opposed to it.
But Kerry wants more troops to volunteer. That's about more recruitment by offering better incentives and advancement into those special forces. You're putting words in his mouth, like a lot of people have done.
Bush would like to keep the military all-voluntary, which is tactical in being able to avoid putting guys in a war who didn't want to be there. If we continue to overstretch, the draft may be a matter of necessity, tho.
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You mean like the 1,000 Polish sharpshooters who put six bullets in Malcolm X?
I joke. I joke!
Omitting Poland as a partner in Iraq isn't a major gaffe. How often do you hear about Poland in the news? It's U.S., England, Australia.
And you try to give a speech watched by 50 million people in 60 seconds. I've done it in front of 20 people and it's damn hard. Both of them made some minor mistakes; I'd say it's a wash. The real story in the debate is on the big issues, not SO much on the minusule detail.
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Initial polls show Kerry with a significant win tonight 45-36 on ABC and about the same on CBS. I think the way Bush kept getting angry and asking for extra time from the moderator, someting I don't think Kerry did even once, hurt him.
I've never seen Bush so angry. If you have to tell people you are a "calm guy", you aren't. It was obvious that Kerry was getting to him. On the other hand, Kerry kept cool the whole time. Bush certainly didn't look or act like a man on the verge of a landslide.
Bush slammed those water glasses under the podium pretty hard, too. Frustrabation.....
And the
(without a smile) didn't exactly define patience at listening to what other people's ideas are. It's much easier living with Yes-men, isn't it? -
Bump.
Sorry it took so long; made a trek to Maine to see an uncle who isn't doing well. When did I say that Kerry "wears flipflops"?! Read the first sentence of the fourth paragraph. Kerry wants the war fought more effectively and for the Iraqis to be trained faster to take care of their own damn country (something they should've done in the first $%^&ing place 20 years ago, so what makes you think sinking more money and lives will change the results?...). Does a natural belligerence get in the way of what the words say?
Good debate tonight, I thought, tho I was disappointed that Kerry didn't fully explain the same thing that this thread deals with. Then again, the time limitation didn't much allow for it. God forbid the media ask and actually AIR this.
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Et tu, ICE?
Whatever happened to 'Relax, TD knows what he's doing'?
'Course, all of the usual suspects are now going to start numerous "JP just bought a..." threads. B/c as we all know, this isn't a place where we discuss the betterment of the team, it's a virtual church where we bow to the Bills braintrust.
Nice that you've seen the light. But I don't know if it'll be that soon. Maybe you can meet up w/ MM next to the Fieldhouse and give him a What For.
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JP's sig is actually pretty cool how the J works into the P which works into the L. Nice how he actually tries for the first few lowercase letters, but then gives up and goes for a straight line to finish. Some of the others do that for the whole thing...
I looked at a lot of celebrity signatures a few months ago to get ideas for my own. I could never put a straight line for my name. I've tried to see how it would look and I just can't seem to do it.
*Above conversation reflects the mere observations of UConn James, and in no way should be construed as a handwriting analysis suggesting that designee J.P. Losman, though the recognition stands that Drew Bledsoe sucketh mightily, will or will not become the Buffalo Bills starting quarterback in Week 8-12.
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I think the key word you forgot is "yet." Rest assured, when more of the baby boom generation reaches retirement age, it won't be solvent. Both ECON profs I had in this, who had this as an area of focus, said it will likely happen in the next 10-15 years.
I think the only reason it's being kept about is that it's hard to stop a government-sponsored Ponzi scheme (this is from both sides, only Dubya has the subgenious idea of putting it all in the stock market, an even bigger Ponzi scheme). The people who paid into the program are going to want their money back, tax-free and w/ interest. Gov't knows it can't do this, both b/c they're dependent on the free accrued interest for other programs and not w/o upseting a lot of people who have the highest voting percentage.
I'm not really going to be saddened to see it go. People should invest more on their own in concrete assets rather than rely a gov't handout where the potential for abuse is high and w/o a guarantee of return. Wouldn't be surprised to either see SS taxes increase for the working generations or a reduction in benefits for seniors. Either way, a group of people are going to be pi$$ed off.
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In case you missed the news flash, there's a LOT of disaffected, alienated Republicans (myself included) who are not voting for Bush. Whether it's cast for Kerry in people who want Bush out of office or for a 3rd party candidate for people who simply want to send a subtle message and hope it gets through where others have failed.
And quite a few Rep. Senators have gotten vocal saying that Bush is running the war irresponsibly. In private, many more are prol'ly asking where Bush is taking the GOP. Myself, tho, I don't really care if someone has "Sen.", "Pres." or "The Rev." in front of their name. Blind idiocy comes in all shapes and forms.
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Huh?
So Bush wears imitation Nikes and Kerry wears flip-flops? I guess I still pick Bush because he's still better equipped to handle someone stepping on his toes.You can nuance things all you want, but Kerry is on record with his votes and is on record with his public statements. If you can put all of those together and come up with one clear and consistent policy on Iraq then you belong right by Kerry's side with Lockhart, Carville, and Begala.
Good God, I need to simplify this even more?!
New Balance, friend. New Balance is the metaphorical Well-planned, well-designed and Cheaper war b/c not much is spent on the frills and advertising.
True evidence that we read into things what we want....
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Just be sure to be on time for your noon duel next to the Reflecting Pool.
I rather prefer logical arguments to ad hom attacks, but in this case, I'll just save my breath and use my time productively and say that guy is an angry old coot.
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Bush needs a new pair of shoes to keep his feet safe from pebbles.
Congress, John Kerry included, gives Bush the go-ahead that he can work in more ways to do his own research and come back when he thinks he klnows what kind of shoes would work best (b/c Congress is kind of busy doing other things too). Choices include: the sandals, which are free and airy; the stalwart New Balance, a good shoe at a great price (and American made!); or the Nikes, a so-so shoe at an outrageous price.
And then Bush comes back saying he REEEALLY wants the Imitation Nikes that Kerry has learned is all flash and the soles fall apart within 3 months.
The Iraq funding vote "flip-flop" was tantamount to telling your kids to choose the New Balance before you give them the charge card. And telling Bush to roll back some of his tax cuts for the rich to pay for the war --- rather than send us into fiscal straits --- is tantamount to telling him if he wants the Knock-off Nikes, he needs to get his own (!) job to pay for them b/c middle class families can't eat a shoe.
(Besides the fact that the Nikes didn't have nearly as much pebble-protection features as Bush said they had.)
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Highly probable, but like everything else in this war, the inconvenient facts get hidden.
Problem is that whatever money's paid to these f%^ks simply finances 100 more kidnappings.
I heard on the radio they were released on condition that 15 Iraqis (civilians, they say) who need serious surgery will be taken to Italy to have it done. There probably was some green involved too.
Does it bother anyone?
in Politics, Polls, and Pundits
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Vote early, vote often, as they say.
It does bother me that so many people vote legitimately while others work to corrupt the system. And what happens to them when they're caught? Probation? You get more time and penalties for dubbing movies.
Unlike others, I wouldn't want to hazard a guess until there's hard evidence rather than surmising it. Criminals come in all colors, shapes, sizes and political affiliations, don't you know.