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From: gsp@ulysses.UUCP (Gary Perlman)
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: Star Wars Defense Plan
Message-ID: <968@ulysses.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 16-Aug-84 19:55:32 EDT
Article-I.D.: ulysses.968
Posted: Thu Aug 16 19:55:32 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 18-Aug-84 00:20:00 EDT
References: <809@ihuxb.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 35

> I am not a scientist, and I wouldn't be so quick to discount this idea.
I do not feel that I have been quick to discount the idea, and being a
"scientist" should not be a person's first concern.

> If we can truly stop 95% of the incoming missiles, then I think we
> should give some serious thought to this plan.
Yes, I agree, but still the other 5% would cause some problems.

> I also heard on the news that several imminent scientists testified before
> congress in favor of this plan and I have to believe that they have a
> better understanding of the merits and faults of this plan than either
> Gary or myself.
Imminent means "about to happen".  The word you mean is eminent.
In any case, there is as much eminence on either side, except that
one side has a special interest, namely: they will be the ones funded
to do the work.  You are right to point out that these scientists
know more about the problem, but who is to say whether their conclusions
are correct?

> I would be interested in hearing some discussion of this idea as opposed
> to seeing a mass of knee-jerk reactions to this idea.
I resent my reaction being thought of as a reflex without thought.
I too wuld like to see a discussion.  For example, one person said he
disagreed with me because he thought the Star Wars project would be
good for space research in general.  That's a good point, I think,
because I support space research, but my impression is that the proportion
of results useful for space development would not be worth the overall
investment.  I would prefer to see space research adopted by the military
than the other direction.  I simply cannot support a project like Star
Wars simply because it would aid an area of research I see as lacking.

Just because people are scientists does not mean they are right,
and it des not mean that their interests are noble.
If you like, call me ignorant, but at least question the establishment,
and consider the issues.  I think I'll get off my soap box now.