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From: al@ames.UUCP (Al Globus)
Newsgroups: net.physics,net.space,net.research
Subject: Re: Star-Wars/Space Telescopes
Message-ID: <1288@ames.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 19-Dec-85 20:40:24 EST
Article-I.D.: ames.1288
Posted: Thu Dec 19 20:40:24 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 21-Dec-85 06:33:15 EST
References: <384@ukc.UUCP> <201@prometheus.UUCP> <11045@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU>
Organization: NASA-Ames Research Center, Mtn. View, CA
Lines: 23
Xref: watmath net.physics:3702 net.space:4995 net.research:389

> 
> One thing that has bothered me about the debate on Star Wars
> research is the idea that one can afford to stop work in
> some area of weapons research. The classical theory of war
> includes the application of new weapons and tactics on a
> massive scale as a fundamental principle. The easiest way
> to win a war is to develop some new weapon that is unknown
> to the other side and use it on a massive scale in a lightning
> surprise attack, thereby destroying the enemy before he has
> a chance to develop countermeasures. One can never predict
> for certain that some new weapon cannot be created which
> will upset the balance of power ...

The development of weapon systems that can destroy all of society,
of which the present nuclear weapons is only the first, has made this
concept and other war making concepts obsolete if we are to survive.
The effect of weapons research is to reduce the time it takes
to destroy organized society from days in the fifties, to hours
now, to seconds for third or fourth generation star wars systems with
planet killing capabilities.  If we continue to have enemies and fight
wars, sooner or later we will be utterly destroyed.  We (both sides) must
realize that Russia and America are completed
dependent on each other and act accordingly; or our fate is sealed.