Crippled
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Matthew Faithfull wrote:
"No one could have predicted that the terrorists would launch their missiles from the (unacknowledged US base in the) jungles of Honduras..."
Not another conspiracy theory :( OT Did you see you mate on yesterdays BBCtv's Politics Show - you would have thought he would have said something new - but no - same old stuff.
Richard A. Abbott wrote:
conspiracy theory
Where? What conspiracy? If you want to know about illegal, unacknowledged ( as in not approved by congress or appearing on anyones legal accounts ) US bases in Honduras ask John Negreponte, UN ambassador last time I checked. He ran them for years. Not a theory merely a historical fact. The 'quote' in case you hadn't noticed was a play on Condi's statement about 9/11 that "No one could have predicted that terrorists would use planes as weapons." An extraordinary statement considering that the Pentagon did predict exactly that well before 9/11 and strangely enough so did I. The very first time George II was reported publicaly proclaiming that he could protect America from missles launched by rogue states, way back in 2000 I think, my immediate respone was, "You idiot, there are hundreds of missiles in the sky all over America already, they're called aeroplanes. How are you going to protect America from them." I wish I had been wrong then and I hope I'm wrong now but I wouldn't bet on it. OT I assume you mean Nigel. I didn't see it but if he said what he always says then I'm not surprised. He'll go on saying it for as long as it's true. What's your point?
Nothing is exactly what it seems but everything with seems can be unpicked.
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It's not at present. We're only building 100 interceptors and basing them all along the left coast which should allow us to suppress a strike from China or North Korea. Russia would still be able to saturate our defenses, or they could shoot over the Atlantic and bypass them instead. Eventually progress with laser based systems might allow us to ride out a full scale Russian attack, but we're not there with current hardware.
-- If you view money as inherently evil, I view it as my duty to assist in making you more virtuous.
dan neely wrote:
suppress a strike from China or North Korea
Taking the missiles the long route home. An interesting concept.
dan neely wrote:
Russia would still be able to saturate our defenses
Waste of time and money putting them in harms way.
dan neely wrote:
laser based systems
Wasn't that a Ronald Reagan idea?
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dan neely wrote:
suppress a strike from China or North Korea
Taking the missiles the long route home. An interesting concept.
dan neely wrote:
Russia would still be able to saturate our defenses
Waste of time and money putting them in harms way.
dan neely wrote:
laser based systems
Wasn't that a Ronald Reagan idea?
Richard A. Abbott wrote:
Wasn't that a Ronald Reagan idea?
Did you ever see the demo of the 'rail' gun firing a 1 inch cube of steel through 2 six inch thick bits of cast iron, sandwiching 100 New York telephone directories. It still makes me laugh when I remember the demonstrator ( classic 'scientist' about 5 feet tall with bottle glasses and a white coat ) picking up the smoking blackend remains of the 'bullet' from the pile of sandbags where it finally came a to a holt, with a pair of tongs almost as tall as he is and saying "All we have to do now is to design a guidance system that fits in there, ..pause.. and survives. Brilliant.:laugh:
Nothing is exactly what it seems but everything with seems can be unpicked.
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Richard A. Abbott wrote:
conspiracy theory
Where? What conspiracy? If you want to know about illegal, unacknowledged ( as in not approved by congress or appearing on anyones legal accounts ) US bases in Honduras ask John Negreponte, UN ambassador last time I checked. He ran them for years. Not a theory merely a historical fact. The 'quote' in case you hadn't noticed was a play on Condi's statement about 9/11 that "No one could have predicted that terrorists would use planes as weapons." An extraordinary statement considering that the Pentagon did predict exactly that well before 9/11 and strangely enough so did I. The very first time George II was reported publicaly proclaiming that he could protect America from missles launched by rogue states, way back in 2000 I think, my immediate respone was, "You idiot, there are hundreds of missiles in the sky all over America already, they're called aeroplanes. How are you going to protect America from them." I wish I had been wrong then and I hope I'm wrong now but I wouldn't bet on it. OT I assume you mean Nigel. I didn't see it but if he said what he always says then I'm not surprised. He'll go on saying it for as long as it's true. What's your point?
Nothing is exactly what it seems but everything with seems can be unpicked.
Matthew Faithfull wrote:
If you want to know about illegal, unacknowledged ( as in not approved by congress or appearing on anyones legal accounts ) US bases in Honduras ask John Negreponte, UN ambassador last time I checked. He ran them for years. Not a theory merely a historical fact.
1980's wasn't it? Can't remember anything in more recent Honduras history though. But isn't Negreponte now involved in some Africa policy?
Matthew Faithfull wrote:
play on Condi's statement
OK, your play on words is a little devious.
Matthew Faithfull wrote:
What's your point?
No point, just an observation.
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The U.S. military believes it has dealt devastating and perhaps irreversible blows
to al-Qaeda in Iraq in recent months, leading some generals to advocate a declaration
of victory over the group, which the Bush administration has long described as the most
lethal U.S. adversary in Iraq.
...
The deployment of more U.S. and Iraqi forces into AQI strongholds in Anbar province and
the Baghdad area, as well as the recruitment of Sunni tribal fighters to combat AQI
operatives in those locations, has helped to deprive the militants of a secure base of
operations, U.S. military officials said. "They are less and less coordinated, more and
more fragmented," Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the second-ranking U.S. commander in
Iraq, said recently. Describing frayed support structures and supply lines, Odierno
estimated that the group's capabilities have been "degraded" by 60 to 70 percent since
the beginning of the year.And the missle defense shield that liberals claimed just two years ago was technically impossible is operational. Now when will we focus on the "impossible" task of tackling illegal immigration.
Anybody rape your wife yet? -IAmChrisMcCall
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The report was issued by the military. Not exactly an impartial report. I am skeptical.
Hey! I finally found a picture of myself!
leckey wrote:
Not exactly an impartial report. I am skeptical.
The military is not, despite left-wing accusations, a political organization. They have been very frank regarding challenges in the past and there is demonstrable evidence (namely the sharp reduction in attacks) that verify their claim.
Anybody rape your wife yet? -IAmChrisMcCall
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Red Stateler wrote:
And the missle defense shield that liberals claimed just two years ago was technically impossible is operational.
And just in time too, since it's a good bet that President Hillary isn't going to spend another dime on it. OBTW, didn't we declare victory in Iraq several YEARS ago? Why are we doing it (prematurely) again?
Rob Graham wrote:
OBTW, didn't we declare victory in Iraq several YEARS ago? Why are we doing it (prematurely) again?
You mean "Mission Accomplished"? Get over it and look up "mission" in the dictionary.
Anybody rape your wife yet? -IAmChrisMcCall
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Rob Graham wrote:
OBTW, didn't we declare victory in Iraq several YEARS ago? Why are we doing it (prematurely) again?
You mean "Mission Accomplished"? Get over it and look up "mission" in the dictionary.
Anybody rape your wife yet? -IAmChrisMcCall
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Matthew Faithfull wrote:
If you want to know about illegal, unacknowledged ( as in not approved by congress or appearing on anyones legal accounts ) US bases in Honduras ask John Negreponte, UN ambassador last time I checked. He ran them for years. Not a theory merely a historical fact.
1980's wasn't it? Can't remember anything in more recent Honduras history though. But isn't Negreponte now involved in some Africa policy?
Matthew Faithfull wrote:
play on Condi's statement
OK, your play on words is a little devious.
Matthew Faithfull wrote:
What's your point?
No point, just an observation.
Richard A. Abbott wrote:
1980's wasn't it? Can't remember anything in more recent Honduras history though.
Yes. I can only assume that the policy of not closing US bases in foreign parts once opened applies to unacknowledged ones to, although I'm certain there are no longer 25,000 troops and mecenaries out there. My point is that there are plenty of places from which 'Kim Ill Jock' can launch a medium range missile full of nuclear material he no longer has any use for, right into Red's back yard and the only thing George or Condi can do about it is sign the cheques to pay for it happening.
Richard A. Abbott wrote:
isn't Negreponte now involved in some Africa policy?
I've not heard about that. I'd be interested if you have any info. He's a dangerous man.
Nothing is exactly what it seems but everything with seems can be unpicked.
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Richard A. Abbott wrote:
Wasn't that a Ronald Reagan idea?
Did you ever see the demo of the 'rail' gun firing a 1 inch cube of steel through 2 six inch thick bits of cast iron, sandwiching 100 New York telephone directories. It still makes me laugh when I remember the demonstrator ( classic 'scientist' about 5 feet tall with bottle glasses and a white coat ) picking up the smoking blackend remains of the 'bullet' from the pile of sandbags where it finally came a to a holt, with a pair of tongs almost as tall as he is and saying "All we have to do now is to design a guidance system that fits in there, ..pause.. and survives. Brilliant.:laugh:
Nothing is exactly what it seems but everything with seems can be unpicked.
Matthew Faithfull wrote:
Did you ever see the demo
No, can't say I had. However, that experiment is not too far removed from experiments I have seen on BBCtv "Tomorrows World" albeit many many years ago when softened margarine was shot from a gun of sorts at a target behind a wooden door. The result was a wooden door with a hole in it and a destroyed target.
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Red Stateler wrote:
"Mission Accomplished"
No doubt that "Mission Accomplished" was declared but it has rather turned into "Mission Creep"
Richard A. Abbott wrote:
No doubt that "Mission Accomplished" was declared but it has rather turned into "Mission Creep"
Actually Donald Rumsfeld stated long before Hussein was overthrown that America should be prepared for a campaign that lasts between 10 and 20 years. To say the Bush administration viewed toppling Iraq as the end-all and reads a stupid freakin' sign as representing that incorrect belief is ignorant at best of the Bush administrations long-term policy regarding terrorist states. A "mission" refers to a much narrower scope (say, toppling one regime) than a "campaign" and the incessant criticism of that sign is the most idiotic example of left-wing propaganda I've ever seen.
Anybody rape your wife yet? -IAmChrisMcCall
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Matthew Faithfull wrote:
Did you ever see the demo
No, can't say I had. However, that experiment is not too far removed from experiments I have seen on BBCtv "Tomorrows World" albeit many many years ago when softened margarine was shot from a gun of sorts at a target behind a wooden door. The result was a wooden door with a hole in it and a destroyed target.
We are building a railgun for the US Navy in Scotland[^]. Probably wouldn't be a good idea to fire that one in a BBC studio.
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dan neely wrote:
suppress a strike from China or North Korea
Taking the missiles the long route home. An interesting concept.
dan neely wrote:
Russia would still be able to saturate our defenses
Waste of time and money putting them in harms way.
dan neely wrote:
laser based systems
Wasn't that a Ronald Reagan idea?
Richard A. Abbott wrote:
dan neely wrote: laser based systems Wasn't that a Ronald Reagan idea?
Originally yes. Making a suitable laser was significantly harder than was thought at the time and we're only now getting there. We've had a Boeing 767(??) with a suitably powerful chemical laser for a few years and are getting close to meeting energy output requirements for solid state (laser diode) systems which would run on electricity instead of consuming large quantities of industrial chemicals. Solid state systems have a major advantage in that they more compact, IIRC much more efficient, and just need a high voltage connection to the power grid/really large generator and won't run out of 'ammo' after a few dozen(?) shots. http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/abl/index.html[^]
-- If you view money as inherently evil, I view it as my duty to assist in making you more virtuous.
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Richard A. Abbott wrote:
1980's wasn't it? Can't remember anything in more recent Honduras history though.
Yes. I can only assume that the policy of not closing US bases in foreign parts once opened applies to unacknowledged ones to, although I'm certain there are no longer 25,000 troops and mecenaries out there. My point is that there are plenty of places from which 'Kim Ill Jock' can launch a medium range missile full of nuclear material he no longer has any use for, right into Red's back yard and the only thing George or Condi can do about it is sign the cheques to pay for it happening.
Richard A. Abbott wrote:
isn't Negreponte now involved in some Africa policy?
I've not heard about that. I'd be interested if you have any info. He's a dangerous man.
Nothing is exactly what it seems but everything with seems can be unpicked.
-
Richard A. Abbott wrote:
1980's wasn't it? Can't remember anything in more recent Honduras history though.
Yes. I can only assume that the policy of not closing US bases in foreign parts once opened applies to unacknowledged ones to, although I'm certain there are no longer 25,000 troops and mecenaries out there. My point is that there are plenty of places from which 'Kim Ill Jock' can launch a medium range missile full of nuclear material he no longer has any use for, right into Red's back yard and the only thing George or Condi can do about it is sign the cheques to pay for it happening.
Richard A. Abbott wrote:
isn't Negreponte now involved in some Africa policy?
I've not heard about that. I'd be interested if you have any info. He's a dangerous man.
Nothing is exactly what it seems but everything with seems can be unpicked.
Matthew Faithfull wrote:
My point is that there are plenty of places from which 'Kim Ill Jock' can launch a medium range missile full of nuclear material he no longer has any use for, right into Red's back yard
That doesn't worry me because I've lined my walls with aluminum foil (it's much prettier than the JFK assassination newspaper clippings with yarn attaching connected words that was there before). The government doesn't want you to know, but foil is actually nuclear proof when arranged in a certain pattern. If you want details on the pattern, let me know as I'm always eager to help a brother in the revolution.
Anybody rape your wife yet? -IAmChrisMcCall
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There are some documents linked here http://merln.ndu.edu/index.cfm?secID=244&pageID=3&type=section [^] including this from April 2007 [^]
Hmm, so bland it makes me wonder if that's what he really went for. I guess he's semi-retired these days and keeping his head down as ever. I just hope he doesn't scupper any chance of a descent outcome in Darfur, if there ever is such a chance. Still it makes sense when there's a genocide going on to put a man on the ground who's so familiar with the 'Equador option'.
Nothing is exactly what it seems but everything with seems can be unpicked.
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We are building a railgun for the US Navy in Scotland[^]. Probably wouldn't be a good idea to fire that one in a BBC studio.
Cool video, no sound in the office :(. I guess it was it just a warm up though cause your gun is about 3 times the size of the 1980s one and your projectile is way bigger and more aerodyanimc aswell. Unless that was Chinese space armour you were firing at or the projectile was made of glass I would have expected way more damage, like a four foot crater in the end of the target. Anyway I guess that's all still classified.;)
Nothing is exactly what it seems but everything with seems can be unpicked.
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The U.S. military believes it has dealt devastating and perhaps irreversible blows
to al-Qaeda in Iraq in recent months, leading some generals to advocate a declaration
of victory over the group, which the Bush administration has long described as the most
lethal U.S. adversary in Iraq.
...
The deployment of more U.S. and Iraqi forces into AQI strongholds in Anbar province and
the Baghdad area, as well as the recruitment of Sunni tribal fighters to combat AQI
operatives in those locations, has helped to deprive the militants of a secure base of
operations, U.S. military officials said. "They are less and less coordinated, more and
more fragmented," Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the second-ranking U.S. commander in
Iraq, said recently. Describing frayed support structures and supply lines, Odierno
estimated that the group's capabilities have been "degraded" by 60 to 70 percent since
the beginning of the year.And the missle defense shield that liberals claimed just two years ago was technically impossible is operational. Now when will we focus on the "impossible" task of tackling illegal immigration.
Anybody rape your wife yet? -IAmChrisMcCall
None of the criticisms of the missile defense shield that I've seen claimed it was impossible, just that building counters to the shield are orders of magnitude cheaper then building the shield itself. It becomes a war of military complex spending and we are picking the side with a significant disadvantage, at least when we played that game with the soviets we chose a close to equal arena .
This blanket smells like ham
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Rob Graham wrote:
OBTW, didn't we declare victory in Iraq several YEARS ago? Why are we doing it (prematurely) again?
You mean "Mission Accomplished"? Get over it and look up "mission" in the dictionary.
Anybody rape your wife yet? -IAmChrisMcCall
Red Stateler wrote:
Get over it and look up "mission" in the dictionary.
Look, it's good news, and welcome. It may however be premature - we've had good news before, and had decreases in the attacks before, but they always came back. I'd rather the just keep quiet until there is no possible doubt. It's much more destructive to brag too early, and end up destroying their credibility when things go sour again (which I expect they will as we near the election). The simple truth is that we will be tied up in Iraq for half a decade or more to come. That might have been avoidable but for some of the bad decisions made under Bremer's watch, but now it's not. "Mission accomplished" was one of the most politically stupid events in the grossly mismanaged war. Lets not add any similar ones.
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Richard A. Abbott wrote:
dan neely wrote: laser based systems Wasn't that a Ronald Reagan idea?
Originally yes. Making a suitable laser was significantly harder than was thought at the time and we're only now getting there. We've had a Boeing 767(??) with a suitably powerful chemical laser for a few years and are getting close to meeting energy output requirements for solid state (laser diode) systems which would run on electricity instead of consuming large quantities of industrial chemicals. Solid state systems have a major advantage in that they more compact, IIRC much more efficient, and just need a high voltage connection to the power grid/really large generator and won't run out of 'ammo' after a few dozen(?) shots. http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/abl/index.html[^]
-- If you view money as inherently evil, I view it as my duty to assist in making you more virtuous.
I thought the problem with lasers was they're fantastic in space, no attenuation due to atmosphere but require power plants too big to actually be put into space at viable cost. On the ground the power is no problem but the laser powered required because of atmospheric interference is ridiculous. The 767 get's around this by having less atmosphere to worry about and enough carrying capacity for a more or less sufficient power plant?
Nothing is exactly what it seems but everything with seems can be unpicked.