Re: [CTRL] Creating a market for Star Wars
In a message dated 4/1/01 10:14:53 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I have NO idea what you are talking about. What is a boss hog, deliverance from what? Not suprised that you missed these references to "pop culture"...of the 70's actually...but for you to be giving spelling lessons truly is a hoot!! Bill.
Re: [CTRL] Creating a market for Star Wars
-Caveat Lector- He's suggesting a certain lack of sophistication, such as the country folk in the film 'Deliverance'. 'If someone starts playing a banjo I'm out of here!' On Mon, 2 Apr 2001 06:48:09 -0700 unseemlydogposture <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >-Caveat Lector- > >the fat guy from The Dukes of Hazard? >--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >> -Caveat Lector- >> >> I have NO idea what you are talking about. What is a >> boss hog, >> deliverance from what? >> >> On Sat, 31 Mar 2001 21:29:18 EST William Shannon >> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> writes: >> > In a message dated 3/31/01 7:08:26 PM Central >> Standard Time, >> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> > writes: >> > >> > >> > > If all the stolen/illegal/corrupted/bought votes >> be gathered up >> > ALL >> > > ACROSS >> > > the country, it would be seen that Bush did NOT >> lose the popular >> > > vote. But the intention is to not let the truth >> be known so that >> > the >> > > loosers can keep placating their slaves by >> saying the same lies >> > for >> > > >> > >> > Did you pass the remedial english classes you were >> undoubtedly >> > required to >> > take in order to graduate junior high? >> > You read like Boss Hogg...cue the Deliverance >> soundtrack!!! >> > >> > It's clear that Bush lost the popular vote...get >> over it!! >> > >> > Bill. >> >> http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org >> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER >> == >> CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. >> Proselytizing propagandic >> screeds are unwelcomed. Substancenot >> soap-boxingplease! These are >> sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'with its many >> half-truths, mis- >> directions and outright fraudsis used politically >> by different groups with >> major and minor effects spread throughout the >> spectrum of time and thought. >> That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the >> validity of posts, and >> always suggests to readers; be wary of what you >> read. CTRL gives no >> credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not >> apply. >> >> Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. >> > >> Archives Available at: >> http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html >> > >HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives >> of >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ >> > >HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl >> > >> To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research >> List[CTRL] send email: >> SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research >> List[CTRL] send email: >> SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> Om > > >= > > >__ >Do You Yahoo!? >Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. >http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/?.refer=text > >http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org >DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER >== >CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic >screeds are unwelcomed. Substancenot soap-boxingplease! These are >sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'with its many half-truths, mis- >directions and outright fraudsis used politically by different groups with >major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. >That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and >always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no >credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. > >Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. > >Archives Available at: >http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html > http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ > http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl > >To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: >SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: >SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Om > http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER == CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substancenot soap-boxingplease! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright fraudsis used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.h
Re: [CTRL] Creating a market for Star Wars
-Caveat Lector- the fat guy from The Dukes of Hazard? --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > -Caveat Lector- > > I have NO idea what you are talking about. What is a > boss hog, > deliverance from what? > > On Sat, 31 Mar 2001 21:29:18 EST William Shannon > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > writes: > > In a message dated 3/31/01 7:08:26 PM Central > Standard Time, > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > writes: > > > > > > > If all the stolen/illegal/corrupted/bought votes > be gathered up > > ALL > > > ACROSS > > > the country, it would be seen that Bush did NOT > lose the popular > > > vote. But the intention is to not let the truth > be known so that > > the > > > loosers can keep placating their slaves by > saying the same lies > > for > > > > > > > Did you pass the remedial english classes you were > undoubtedly > > required to > > take in order to graduate junior high? > > You read like Boss Hogg...cue the Deliverance > soundtrack!!! > > > > It's clear that Bush lost the popular vote...get > over it!! > > > > Bill. > > http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org > DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER > == > CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. > Proselytizing propagandic > screeds are unwelcomed. Substancenot > soap-boxingplease! These are > sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'with its many > half-truths, mis- > directions and outright fraudsis used politically > by different groups with > major and minor effects spread throughout the > spectrum of time and thought. > That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the > validity of posts, and > always suggests to readers; be wary of what you > read. CTRL gives no > credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not > apply. > > Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. > > Archives Available at: > http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html > HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives > of > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ > HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl > > To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research > List[CTRL] send email: > SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research > List[CTRL] send email: > SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Om = __ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/?.refer=text http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER == CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substancenot soap-boxingplease! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright fraudsis used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED] http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
Re: [CTRL] Creating a market for Star Wars
-Caveat Lector- Boss Hogg was the scheming "Good Ole Southern Boy" from the TV show Dukes of Hazzard and the Deliverance soundtrack (has anyone NOT heard this) featured the tune "Dueling Banjos". Methinks he's trying to imply you're a redneck or some inbred Ozark/Adirondack hillbilly. Jamieson On Sun, 1 Apr 2001 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > -Caveat Lector- > > I have NO idea what you are talking about. What is a boss hog, > deliverance from what? > > On Sat, 31 Mar 2001 21:29:18 EST William Shannon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > writes: > > In a message dated 3/31/01 7:08:26 PM Central Standard Time, > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > writes: > > > > > > > If all the stolen/illegal/corrupted/bought votes be gathered up > > ALL > > > ACROSS > > > the country, it would be seen that Bush did NOT lose the popular > > > vote. But the intention is to not let the truth be known so that > > the > > > loosers can keep placating their slaves by saying the same lies > > for > > > > > > > Did you pass the remedial english classes you were undoubtedly > > required to > > take in order to graduate junior high? > > You read like Boss Hogg...cue the Deliverance soundtrack!!! > > > > It's clear that Bush lost the popular vote...get over it!! > > > > Bill. > > http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org > DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER > == > CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic > screeds are unwelcomed. Substancenot soap-boxingplease! These are > sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'with its many half-truths, mis- > directions and outright fraudsis used politically by different groups with > major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. > That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and > always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no > credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. > > Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. > > Archives Available at: > http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html > http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ > http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl > > To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: > SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: > SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Om > http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER == CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substancenot soap-boxingplease! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright fraudsis used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED] http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
Re: [CTRL] Creating a market for Star Wars
-Caveat Lector- Same thing as a forbear. - On Sun, 1 Apr 2001 12:32:34 -0500 Linda Minor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > -Caveat Lector- > > What's a "looser"? > > > -Original Message- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: Saturday, March 31, 2001 8:08 PM > Subject: Re: [CTRL] Creating a market for Star Wars > > > >-Caveat Lector- > > > >If all the stolen/illegal/corrupted/bought votes be gathered up ALL > >ACROSS > >the country, it would be seen that Bush did NOT lose the popular > >vote. But the intention is to not let the truth be known so that the > >loosers can keep placating their slaves by saying the same lies for > >the next 4 years. Well, blab on. No one is listening. > > > > > > > > > >On Fri, 30 Mar 2001 20:58:26 EST William Shannon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >writes: > >> >> > >HREF="http://www.thestar.com/cgi-bin/gx.cgi/AppLogic+FTContentServer?pag e > >name=thestar/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=985890427642">ht t > >p://www.thestar.com/cgi-bin/gx.cgi/AppLogic+FTContentServer?pagename=the s > >ta > >> > >> r/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=985890427642 > >> > >> > >> > >> Mar. 30, 01:22 EDT > >> Creating a market for Star Wars > >> > >> Gordon Barthos > >> COLUMNIST > >> > >> > >> > >> SPACE DREAM: The U.S. has been talking about Star Wars since 1983. > >> GEORGE BUSH can't claim a mandate to rock the geopolitical boat, > >> much less > >> capsize it. > >> He barely got elected last fall. He lost the popular vote. > >> And after 10 weeks his approval rating is sliding fast. > >> Yet Bush has startled friends and foes alike with the sheer > >> abrasiveness of > >> his attitudes toward Russia, China and North Korea, and his > >> indifference to > >> world opinion on issues like global warming. > >> Last week Bush discovered that the Russians have spies, and gave > 50 > >> of them > >> the heave-ho. He's been cool to meeting Vladimir Putin to talk > arms > >> control. > >> His officials call the Russians "a nation of proliferators;" they > >> complain > >> about Moscow selling Iran weapons; they meet Chechen separatists. > >> Eyeing China, they talk about the need to "fight and win a nuclear > >> war," with > >> Asia as the likeliest battleground. They see China as a > >> "competitor," not a > >> strategic partner, and lambaste it for selling Iraq technology. > They > >> talk of > >> selling Taiwan powerful anti-missile defences. > >> Meanwhile, Bush has undercut South Korea's bid to get North Korea > to > >> shelve > >> its missile program, as it has its nuclear program, in exchange > for > >> trade and > >> aid. > >> The Bush White House calls this "clarity, realism, decisiveness." > >> Critics > >> call it folly. > >> As the wreckage piles up, Republican think tanks crank out > alarmist > >> studies > >> to demonstrate that the continental United States is open to > attack > >> and > >> intimidation. > >> Has the world suddenly gone on a war footing? > >> Hardly. > >> But the Cold War era people around Bush Ñ Vice-President Dick > Cheney > >> and > >> Defence Secretary Don Rumsfeld, to name two Ñ are truly ambitious > >> patriots. > >> They know that the U.S. is undefeatable, and has been for a decade > >> or more. > >> They dream of making it invulnerable as well. They don't want even > >> to be > >> threatened by pipsqueak powers. > >> They are convinced that Ballistic Missile Defence can deliver that > >> invulnerability. > >> Ronald Reagan dreamed up Star Wars in 1983 as a hedge against > Soviet > >> attack. > >> When the Soviets went away, Iraq became the new threat. Once Iraq > >> was > >> humbled, North Korea stood in as the villain. > >> There's no prize for spotting a trend here. > >> If the Bush administration doesn't play its cards carefully, North > >> Korea will > >> go cuddly and there won't be a half-credible enemy left to shield > >> against. > >> Mos
Re: [CTRL] Creating a market for Star Wars
-Caveat Lector- I have NO idea what you are talking about. What is a boss hog, deliverance from what? On Sat, 31 Mar 2001 21:29:18 EST William Shannon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > In a message dated 3/31/01 7:08:26 PM Central Standard Time, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > writes: > > > > If all the stolen/illegal/corrupted/bought votes be gathered up > ALL > > ACROSS > > the country, it would be seen that Bush did NOT lose the popular > > vote. But the intention is to not let the truth be known so that > the > > loosers can keep placating their slaves by saying the same lies > for > > > > Did you pass the remedial english classes you were undoubtedly > required to > take in order to graduate junior high? > You read like Boss Hogg...cue the Deliverance soundtrack!!! > > It's clear that Bush lost the popular vote...get over it!! > > Bill. http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER == CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substancenot soap-boxingplease! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright fraudsis used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED] http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
Re: [CTRL] Creating a market for Star Wars
-Caveat Lector- What's a "looser"? -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Saturday, March 31, 2001 8:08 PM Subject: Re: [CTRL] Creating a market for Star Wars >-Caveat Lector- > >If all the stolen/illegal/corrupted/bought votes be gathered up ALL >ACROSS >the country, it would be seen that Bush did NOT lose the popular >vote. But the intention is to not let the truth be known so that the >loosers can keep placating their slaves by saying the same lies for >the next 4 years. Well, blab on. No one is listening. > > > > >On Fri, 30 Mar 2001 20:58:26 EST William Shannon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >writes: >> > >HREF="http://www.thestar.com/cgi-bin/gx.cgi/AppLogic+FTContentServer?page >name=thestar/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=985890427642">htt >p://www.thestar.com/cgi-bin/gx.cgi/AppLogic+FTContentServer?pagename=thes >ta >> >> r/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=985890427642 >> >> >> >> Mar. 30, 01:22 EDT >> Creating a market for Star Wars >> >> Gordon Barthos >> COLUMNIST >> >> >> >> SPACE DREAM: The U.S. has been talking about Star Wars since 1983. >> GEORGE BUSH can't claim a mandate to rock the geopolitical boat, >> much less >> capsize it. >> He barely got elected last fall. He lost the popular vote. >> And after 10 weeks his approval rating is sliding fast. >> Yet Bush has startled friends and foes alike with the sheer >> abrasiveness of >> his attitudes toward Russia, China and North Korea, and his >> indifference to >> world opinion on issues like global warming. >> Last week Bush discovered that the Russians have spies, and gave 50 >> of them >> the heave-ho. He's been cool to meeting Vladimir Putin to talk arms >> control. >> His officials call the Russians "a nation of proliferators;" they >> complain >> about Moscow selling Iran weapons; they meet Chechen separatists. >> Eyeing China, they talk about the need to "fight and win a nuclear >> war," with >> Asia as the likeliest battleground. They see China as a >> "competitor," not a >> strategic partner, and lambaste it for selling Iraq technology. They >> talk of >> selling Taiwan powerful anti-missile defences. >> Meanwhile, Bush has undercut South Korea's bid to get North Korea to >> shelve >> its missile program, as it has its nuclear program, in exchange for >> trade and >> aid. >> The Bush White House calls this "clarity, realism, decisiveness." >> Critics >> call it folly. >> As the wreckage piles up, Republican think tanks crank out alarmist >> studies >> to demonstrate that the continental United States is open to attack >> and >> intimidation. >> Has the world suddenly gone on a war footing? >> Hardly. >> But the Cold War era people around Bush Ñ Vice-President Dick Cheney >> and >> Defence Secretary Don Rumsfeld, to name two Ñ are truly ambitious >> patriots. >> They know that the U.S. is undefeatable, and has been for a decade >> or more. >> They dream of making it invulnerable as well. They don't want even >> to be >> threatened by pipsqueak powers. >> They are convinced that Ballistic Missile Defence can deliver that >> invulnerability. >> Ronald Reagan dreamed up Star Wars in 1983 as a hedge against Soviet >> attack. >> When the Soviets went away, Iraq became the new threat. Once Iraq >> was >> humbled, North Korea stood in as the villain. >> There's no prize for spotting a trend here. >> If the Bush administration doesn't play its cards carefully, North >> Korea will >> go cuddly and there won't be a half-credible enemy left to shield >> against. >> Most Americans support the idea of a Fortress North America. >> But as the U.S. economy slows and Bush has to trim his $1.6 trillion >> tax cut >> or slash federal health, education and social services, people may >> think >> twice about sinking $100 billion into a missile shield, absent a >> clear and >> present danger. >> However, if Washington can make a persuasive case that the U.S. is >> surrounded >> by hostile countries, Star Wars would be an easier sell. >> This has implications for Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's government, >> indeed >> for all U.S. allies. >> We've been lobbied by Washington to keep an "open mind" about >> missil
Re: [CTRL] Creating a market for Star Wars
In a message dated 3/31/01 7:08:26 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: If all the stolen/illegal/corrupted/bought votes be gathered up ALL ACROSS the country, it would be seen that Bush did NOT lose the popular vote. But the intention is to not let the truth be known so that the loosers can keep placating their slaves by saying the same lies for the next 4 years. Well, blab on. No one is listening. Did you pass the remedial english classes you were undoubtedly required to take in order to graduate junior high? You read like Boss Hogg...cue the Deliverance soundtrack!!! It's clear that Bush lost the popular vote...get over it!! Bill.
Re: [CTRL] Creating a market for Star Wars
-Caveat Lector- If all the stolen/illegal/corrupted/bought votes be gathered up ALL ACROSS the country, it would be seen that Bush did NOT lose the popular vote. But the intention is to not let the truth be known so that the loosers can keep placating their slaves by saying the same lies for the next 4 years. Well, blab on. No one is listening. On Fri, 30 Mar 2001 20:58:26 EST William Shannon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > HREF="http://www.thestar.com/cgi-bin/gx.cgi/AppLogic+FTContentServer?page name=thestar/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=985890427642">htt p://www.thestar.com/cgi-bin/gx.cgi/AppLogic+FTContentServer?pagename=thes ta > > r/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=985890427642 > > > > Mar. 30, 01:22 EDT > Creating a market for Star Wars > > Gordon Barthos > COLUMNIST > > > > SPACE DREAM: The U.S. has been talking about Star Wars since 1983. > GEORGE BUSH can't claim a mandate to rock the geopolitical boat, > much less > capsize it. > He barely got elected last fall. He lost the popular vote. > And after 10 weeks his approval rating is sliding fast. > Yet Bush has startled friends and foes alike with the sheer > abrasiveness of > his attitudes toward Russia, China and North Korea, and his > indifference to > world opinion on issues like global warming. > Last week Bush discovered that the Russians have spies, and gave 50 > of them > the heave-ho. He's been cool to meeting Vladimir Putin to talk arms > control. > His officials call the Russians "a nation of proliferators;" they > complain > about Moscow selling Iran weapons; they meet Chechen separatists. > Eyeing China, they talk about the need to "fight and win a nuclear > war," with > Asia as the likeliest battleground. They see China as a > "competitor," not a > strategic partner, and lambaste it for selling Iraq technology. They > talk of > selling Taiwan powerful anti-missile defences. > Meanwhile, Bush has undercut South Korea's bid to get North Korea to > shelve > its missile program, as it has its nuclear program, in exchange for > trade and > aid. > The Bush White House calls this "clarity, realism, decisiveness." > Critics > call it folly. > As the wreckage piles up, Republican think tanks crank out alarmist > studies > to demonstrate that the continental United States is open to attack > and > intimidation. > Has the world suddenly gone on a war footing? > Hardly. > But the Cold War era people around Bush Ñ Vice-President Dick Cheney > and > Defence Secretary Don Rumsfeld, to name two Ñ are truly ambitious > patriots. > They know that the U.S. is undefeatable, and has been for a decade > or more. > They dream of making it invulnerable as well. They don't want even > to be > threatened by pipsqueak powers. > They are convinced that Ballistic Missile Defence can deliver that > invulnerability. > Ronald Reagan dreamed up Star Wars in 1983 as a hedge against Soviet > attack. > When the Soviets went away, Iraq became the new threat. Once Iraq > was > humbled, North Korea stood in as the villain. > There's no prize for spotting a trend here. > If the Bush administration doesn't play its cards carefully, North > Korea will > go cuddly and there won't be a half-credible enemy left to shield > against. > Most Americans support the idea of a Fortress North America. > But as the U.S. economy slows and Bush has to trim his $1.6 trillion > tax cut > or slash federal health, education and social services, people may > think > twice about sinking $100 billion into a missile shield, absent a > clear and > present danger. > However, if Washington can make a persuasive case that the U.S. is > surrounded > by hostile countries, Star Wars would be an easier sell. > This has implications for Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's government, > indeed > for all U.S. allies. > We've been lobbied by Washington to keep an "open mind" about > missile > defence, at least until Bush rolls out his plans later this year. > Meanwhile, U.S. officials are working overtime to persuade us that > (1) > missile defence can work; (2) that its deployment is both necessary > and > inevitable; and (3) that allies must sign on, or kiss off defence > co-operation. > Flawed though these premises are, the Chrétien government is choosing not to > question them. It should. > The Bush administration seems bent on creating sufficient friction > to make > the world a truly interesting place. Not one in which Canadians can > feel > safer. > That's a stiff price to pay for Republican daydreams. > Realistically, do the Americans face a potential threat? Yes. A > small one. > Though a regime would be crazy to lob a missile their way. > But working with players like the Russians and Chinese, the U.S. > could easily > contain bad actors. > However Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and friends would have to settle for > America > being the unbeatable nation, and not the invulnerable one. > The question for Chrétien is this: Why should Canada be stampeded > into > supporting a go-alone
[CTRL] Creating a market for Star Wars
http://www.thestar.com/cgi-bin/gx.cgi/AppLogic+FTContentServer?pagename=thesta r/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=985890427642 Mar. 30, 01:22 EDT Creating a market for Star Wars Gordon Barthos COLUMNIST SPACE DREAM: The U.S. has been talking about Star Wars since 1983. GEORGE BUSH can't claim a mandate to rock the geopolitical boat, much less capsize it. He barely got elected last fall. He lost the popular vote. And after 10 weeks his approval rating is sliding fast. Yet Bush has startled friends and foes alike with the sheer abrasiveness of his attitudes toward Russia, China and North Korea, and his indifference to world opinion on issues like global warming. Last week Bush discovered that the Russians have spies, and gave 50 of them the heave-ho. He's been cool to meeting Vladimir Putin to talk arms control. His officials call the Russians "a nation of proliferators;" they complain about Moscow selling Iran weapons; they meet Chechen separatists. Eyeing China, they talk about the need to "fight and win a nuclear war," with Asia as the likeliest battleground. They see China as a "competitor," not a strategic partner, and lambaste it for selling Iraq technology. They talk of selling Taiwan powerful anti-missile defences. Meanwhile, Bush has undercut South Korea's bid to get North Korea to shelve its missile program, as it has its nuclear program, in exchange for trade and aid. The Bush White House calls this "clarity, realism, decisiveness." Critics call it folly. As the wreckage piles up, Republican think tanks crank out alarmist studies to demonstrate that the continental United States is open to attack and intimidation. Has the world suddenly gone on a war footing? Hardly. But the Cold War era people around Bush Ñ Vice-President Dick Cheney and Defence Secretary Don Rumsfeld, to name two Ñ are truly ambitious patriots. They know that the U.S. is undefeatable, and has been for a decade or more. They dream of making it invulnerable as well. They don't want even to be threatened by pipsqueak powers. They are convinced that Ballistic Missile Defence can deliver that invulnerability. Ronald Reagan dreamed up Star Wars in 1983 as a hedge against Soviet attack. When the Soviets went away, Iraq became the new threat. Once Iraq was humbled, North Korea stood in as the villain. There's no prize for spotting a trend here. If the Bush administration doesn't play its cards carefully, North Korea will go cuddly and there won't be a half-credible enemy left to shield against. Most Americans support the idea of a Fortress North America. But as the U.S. economy slows and Bush has to trim his $1.6 trillion tax cut or slash federal health, education and social services, people may think twice about sinking $100 billion into a missile shield, absent a clear and present danger. However, if Washington can make a persuasive case that the U.S. is surrounded by hostile countries, Star Wars would be an easier sell. This has implications for Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's government, indeed for all U.S. allies. We've been lobbied by Washington to keep an "open mind" about missile defence, at least until Bush rolls out his plans later this year. Meanwhile, U.S. officials are working overtime to persuade us that (1) missile defence can work; (2) that its deployment is both necessary and inevitable; and (3) that allies must sign on, or kiss off defence co-operation. Flawed though these premises are, the Chrétien government is choosing not to question them. It should. The Bush administration seems bent on creating sufficient friction to make the world a truly interesting place. Not one in which Canadians can feel safer. That's a stiff price to pay for Republican daydreams. Realistically, do the Americans face a potential threat? Yes. A small one. Though a regime would be crazy to lob a missile their way. But working with players like the Russians and Chinese, the U.S. could easily contain bad actors. However Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and friends would have to settle for America being the unbeatable nation, and not the invulnerable one. The question for Chrétien is this: Why should Canada be stampeded into supporting a go-alone U.S. program driven by a new global alarmism, and which will leave the world more dangerous than before? Rather than be cowed by Republican demagoguery, the Chrétien government should try to remember what the world looked like before all this began. Russia was a weak, struggling democracy, tilting West and trying to salvage a shred of dignity as a faded power. China just wanted to turn a buck. North Korea was a starving beggar, seeking to come in from the cold. Iran was struggling with its own internal demons. Iraq was a broken reed. Who, exactly, are we worried about?
