The Monroe Doctrine was issued in 1832. It's main purpose was to warn the European nations that any interference in Central or South America would automatically result in a US military response. However, that ancient doctrine from a bygone era has absolutely nothing to do with China's attempts to increase their influence in the South China Sea region. China's activities are particularly risky because the US has long standing mutual defense treaties with Japan, South Korea, and Australia. If any of the other smaller countries in the region feels pressured they will most likely look towards finding out what it would take to get a seat under the US defense umbrella.
I said nothing of the sort. Nobody is trying to overthrow the US government. I only said there needs to be a balanced approach when evaluating the activities of the foreign intelligence agencies. When passing judgments you need to include both the pros and cons in the discussion but the problem is all you ever see are the cons which makes any decision or opinion from that discussion suspect.
His well respected journalists have been on a non-stop crusade against the US since well before Snowden ever came into the picture. Important and controversial issues require balanced and impartial presentations and that certainly has not happened. They, like a lot of people, have decided that the US is always wrong and they refuse to entertain or even acknowledge any information that might weaken or possibly contradict their firmly held beliefs and editorial positions. They have released the information piecemeal over time to ensure their continued involvement for as long as possible.What has never been released or highlighted is any information that might show the NSA activities in a more balanced way. Domestic and foreign intelligence agencies are a fact of life in today's world. Arguing the US should shit can it's intelligence agencies while publicly releasing detailed information about every clandestine program around the world strikes me as a real bad idea Balancing security against individual freedoms is difficult and that balance is tested every time a lapse in intelligence or security practices allows something bad to happen. I just hope some future attempts at balancing security and individual freedoms includes repealing the security directive that requires me to take my shoes off at the airport.
The international rivalries and tensions that result in large defense budgets will ultimately boost the pace of space exploration. If China was looking to establish a presence on the Moon or Mars the US would do everything in it's power to get there first. The US Apollo missions to the Moon were the direct result of the cold war animosity between the US and the USSR. The Russians sent up the first satellite and put the first man in orbit so the US one upped them by going to the Moon.
Google is just a tool for accessing all the information someone has taken the trouble to put online. However the information put online is often riddled with inaccuracies, full of contradictory sources, and usually only helpful if you already posses a personal knowledge base that enables you to tell useful information from the 100% unadulterated bullshit.
Had he kept his data dump focused on US domestic concerns he would not be a traitor. However, all the information released about Foreign intelligence programs does make him a traitor although I think traitor is to strong of a word. His real crime was believing he alone knew what information was dangerous to release and what information was relatively benign in nature. He and his supporters want to paint a picture of some heroic fighter for truth and justice when in reality he is just the best propagandist every country hostile to the US could ever hope for. It's fitting that he is holed up in Russia with the FSB watching his every move and intercepting all his electronic communications. Of course the FSB is just protecting him from being snatched up by the evil US. .
Re: More opportunities for amateur observation.
on
X-37B To Fly Again
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· Score: 1
You don't need nukes if launching from orbit. A heavy metal (DU) rod with an ablative layer will do the job and you won't need to worry about any fall out.
After you sober up you can retrieve your vehicle but you have to pay the cost of towing and possibly as storage fee if you take to long to get your vehicle. In some cases they can hold your vehicle if you were driving without insurance or a valid drivers license but they will release the vehicle to a friend or relative who has insurance and a valid license. Unfortunately I have some first hand knowledge of the procedures due to some foolish indiscretions in my youth.
The WH has plenty of very secure infrastructure but you can't see it because it is underground. Infrastructure supposedly capable of surviving a nuclear attack on Washington. All of the secure meeting rooms are located several levels down to help protect against electronic surveillance.
The Israelis have actually deployed a point defense system on some of their troop carriers. It uses a direct hit munition to intercept the incoming projectile, a munition that explodes creating a shock wave to stop incoming projectiles in a wide area, and electronic counter measures to disrupt guided munitions.
And where does personal responsibility fit into your narrative? It's not the government or the nebulous "powers" causing the bulk of the problems in society it is the choices individuals make that determines their quality of life. Storming the barricades will not solve any problems it would only result in a new set of problems that are much worse. The use of outrageous hyperbole, lies of omission, and anecdotal evidence has also contributed to the problems we face today.
'innocent' or 'proven guilty in a court of law' have lost their meaning. The physical and electronic lynch mobs declare "your guilty because I don't like you" and their evidence usually boils down to the number of "likes" or the number of "tweets" supporting their opinions and when that is not enough evidence "your guilty because I said so" will suffice.
The only real labels that matters in classifying violent conflicts is "winners" and "losers".. Anything else is just pseudo intellectual group speak. If you must hang a label on ISIS or similar groups the most appropriate one would be "murdering psychopaths".
The largest alternative energy related investors and shareholders are the large oil companies. People talk as if the people running the large oil companies are idiots and blind to the possibility of a decrease in fossil fuel usage. If and when that happens they want to make sure they maintain their dominance and profitability positions in the energy markets no matter what form that energy takes.
The first line about Osama Bin Laden is pretty much spot on and there are quite a few others who have gotten the same treatment. The rest of the post is incendiary non-sense.
The winners always get to decide what the rules are and determine if any of them were broken. And as far a following the rules of war goes the US or any other country could summarily execute every "enemy combatant" they get their hands under the rules spelled out in the Geneva Convention.
They are an ally because they have developed several weapons technologies that the US military uses. They are US allies because the US intelligence community comes in a distant second place when it comes to collecting data in that part of the world and need Israel to provide the information they are incapable of collecting on their own. They are US allies because it is the only thing keeping Israel from selling their weapons technology on the open market. China has already shown interest in the Israeli missile and drone technologies. And countries do not have friends they have interests and the Israeli and US interests are pretty well aligned most of the time.
Who is this "US"? Is that all 350+ million inhabitants? And you actually think a "Chinese" martial arts movie means it was produced in China? I suppose you think "The Interview" was produced in NK and they are really just upset about people violating their copyrights?
They won't. Last time I checked China does't have a mutual defense treaty with NK. Plus NK is a pain in the ass for China. NK rhetoric and vitriolic threats have weakened China's security. Thanks to NK the US has beefed up it's anti-missile batteries along the US West Coast and helped increase the military preparedness in the South Pacific region. The deployment of more anti-missile batteries to protect against a NK missile attack can also be used to intercept missiles aimed towards the US west coast. Instead of downsizing the yearly US-SK naval exercises NK threats have resulted in expanding the size of the exercises. Without NK there would be no reason for the sizable US military presence in SK which also threatens China.
If NK (or any one else for that matter) launched an nuclear EMP attack there would be retaliation and China be damned. Seoul can always be rebuilt if it is destroyed. Just look what happened when 3000 people were killed on 9/11 and you can pretty much imagine the US response to a nuclear EMP attack.
I think HW Bush was one of the more recent Presidents who did have the skill set and experience needed to be an effective President. He seemed capable of making independent decisions without being overwhelmed or maneuvered by those close to him. His served in the military in actual combat, was a US Senator, was the US UN Ambassador, was head of the CIA, and spent 8 years as the VP. That is an impressive resume even if you did not agree with his brand of politics or decisions.
The problem is that the people with the skill set needed to be a good President never run or get anywhere near politics. Being a US President is a nightmare of a job. Non-stop 24/7 scrutiny and shrill demands from both foes and friends. Unrealistic expectations and never ending criticism over every decision or statement made. The most critical part of being a good President is choosing the right inner circle policy advisers. These advisers are selected with very little or no legislative review process and they are the ones the President relies on to provide the information need to make wise decisions. These advisers have an enormous amount of influence on the President. Obama has been poorly served by his advisers. He ended up with to many relatively inexperienced idealists who have made the President look hesitant and indecisive on just about every major decision made.
Slashdot Mirror
The Monroe Doctrine was issued in 1832. It's main purpose was to warn the European nations that any interference in Central or South America would automatically result in a US military response. However, that ancient doctrine from a bygone era has absolutely nothing to do with China's attempts to increase their influence in the South China Sea region. China's activities are particularly risky because the US has long standing mutual defense treaties with Japan, South Korea, and Australia. If any of the other smaller countries in the region feels pressured they will most likely look towards finding out what it would take to get a seat under the US defense umbrella.
I said nothing of the sort. Nobody is trying to overthrow the US government. I only said there needs to be a balanced approach when evaluating the activities of the foreign intelligence agencies. When passing judgments you need to include both the pros and cons in the discussion but the problem is all you ever see are the cons which makes any decision or opinion from that discussion suspect.
His well respected journalists have been on a non-stop crusade against the US since well before Snowden ever came into the picture. Important and controversial issues require balanced and impartial presentations and that certainly has not happened. They, like a lot of people, have decided that the US is always wrong and they refuse to entertain or even acknowledge any information that might weaken or possibly contradict their firmly held beliefs and editorial positions. They have released the information piecemeal over time to ensure their continued involvement for as long as possible.What has never been released or highlighted is any information that might show the NSA activities in a more balanced way. Domestic and foreign intelligence agencies are a fact of life in today's world. Arguing the US should shit can it's intelligence agencies while publicly releasing detailed information about every clandestine program around the world strikes me as a real bad idea Balancing security against individual freedoms is difficult and that balance is tested every time a lapse in intelligence or security practices allows something bad to happen. I just hope some future attempts at balancing security and individual freedoms includes repealing the security directive that requires me to take my shoes off at the airport.
The international rivalries and tensions that result in large defense budgets will ultimately boost the pace of space exploration. If China was looking to establish a presence on the Moon or Mars the US would do everything in it's power to get there first. The US Apollo missions to the Moon were the direct result of the cold war animosity between the US and the USSR. The Russians sent up the first satellite and put the first man in orbit so the US one upped them by going to the Moon.
Google is just a tool for accessing all the information someone has taken the trouble to put online. However the information put online is often riddled with inaccuracies, full of contradictory sources, and usually only helpful if you already posses a personal knowledge base that enables you to tell useful information from the 100% unadulterated bullshit.
Had he kept his data dump focused on US domestic concerns he would not be a traitor. However, all the information released about Foreign intelligence programs does make him a traitor although I think traitor is to strong of a word. His real crime was believing he alone knew what information was dangerous to release and what information was relatively benign in nature. He and his supporters want to paint a picture of some heroic fighter for truth and justice when in reality he is just the best propagandist every country hostile to the US could ever hope for. It's fitting that he is holed up in Russia with the FSB watching his every move and intercepting all his electronic communications. Of course the FSB is just protecting him from being snatched up by the evil US. .
You don't need nukes if launching from orbit. A heavy metal (DU) rod with an ablative layer will do the job and you won't need to worry about any fall out.
After you sober up you can retrieve your vehicle but you have to pay the cost of towing and possibly as storage fee if you take to long to get your vehicle. In some cases they can hold your vehicle if you were driving without insurance or a valid drivers license but they will release the vehicle to a friend or relative who has insurance and a valid license. Unfortunately I have some first hand knowledge of the procedures due to some foolish indiscretions in my youth.
The WH has plenty of very secure infrastructure but you can't see it because it is underground. Infrastructure supposedly capable of surviving a nuclear attack on Washington. All of the secure meeting rooms are located several levels down to help protect against electronic surveillance.
Oh yes another International organization. The current ones have such a wonderful track record. Maybe the UN can take over the internet regulations.
The Israelis have actually deployed a point defense system on some of their troop carriers. It uses a direct hit munition to intercept the incoming projectile, a munition that explodes creating a shock wave to stop incoming projectiles in a wide area, and electronic counter measures to disrupt guided munitions.
And where does personal responsibility fit into your narrative? It's not the government or the nebulous "powers" causing the bulk of the problems in society it is the choices individuals make that determines their quality of life. Storming the barricades will not solve any problems it would only result in a new set of problems that are much worse. The use of outrageous hyperbole, lies of omission, and anecdotal evidence has also contributed to the problems we face today.
'innocent' or 'proven guilty in a court of law' have lost their meaning. The physical and electronic lynch mobs declare "your guilty because I don't like you" and their evidence usually boils down to the number of "likes" or the number of "tweets" supporting their opinions and when that is not enough evidence "your guilty because I said so" will suffice.
The only real labels that matters in classifying violent conflicts is "winners" and "losers".. Anything else is just pseudo intellectual group speak. If you must hang a label on ISIS or similar groups the most appropriate one would be "murdering psychopaths".
The largest alternative energy related investors and shareholders are the large oil companies. People talk as if the people running the large oil companies are idiots and blind to the possibility of a decrease in fossil fuel usage. If and when that happens they want to make sure they maintain their dominance and profitability positions in the energy markets no matter what form that energy takes.
In what way did the NSA dismantle the Occupy movement?
For those old enough to remember watching the first run episodes of Star Trek his passing is just another reminder that you might be getting old.
The first line about Osama Bin Laden is pretty much spot on and there are quite a few others who have gotten the same treatment. The rest of the post is incendiary non-sense.
The winners always get to decide what the rules are and determine if any of them were broken. And as far a following the rules of war goes the US or any other country could summarily execute every "enemy combatant" they get their hands under the rules spelled out in the Geneva Convention.
They are an ally because they have developed several weapons technologies that the US military uses. They are US allies because the US intelligence community comes in a distant second place when it comes to collecting data in that part of the world and need Israel to provide the information they are incapable of collecting on their own. They are US allies because it is the only thing keeping Israel from selling their weapons technology on the open market. China has already shown interest in the Israeli missile and drone technologies. And countries do not have friends they have interests and the Israeli and US interests are pretty well aligned most of the time.
Who is this "US"? Is that all 350+ million inhabitants? And you actually think a "Chinese" martial arts movie means it was produced in China? I suppose you think "The Interview" was produced in NK and they are really just upset about people violating their copyrights?
They won't. Last time I checked China does't have a mutual defense treaty with NK. Plus NK is a pain in the ass for China. NK rhetoric and vitriolic threats have weakened China's security. Thanks to NK the US has beefed up it's anti-missile batteries along the US West Coast and helped increase the military preparedness in the South Pacific region. The deployment of more anti-missile batteries to protect against a NK missile attack can also be used to intercept missiles aimed towards the US west coast. Instead of downsizing the yearly US-SK naval exercises NK threats have resulted in expanding the size of the exercises. Without NK there would be no reason for the sizable US military presence in SK which also threatens China.
If NK (or any one else for that matter) launched an nuclear EMP attack there would be retaliation and China be damned. Seoul can always be rebuilt if it is destroyed. Just look what happened when 3000 people were killed on 9/11 and you can pretty much imagine the US response to a nuclear EMP attack.
I think HW Bush was one of the more recent Presidents who did have the skill set and experience needed to be an effective President. He seemed capable of making independent decisions without being overwhelmed or maneuvered by those close to him. His served in the military in actual combat, was a US Senator, was the US UN Ambassador, was head of the CIA, and spent 8 years as the VP. That is an impressive resume even if you did not agree with his brand of politics or decisions.
The problem is that the people with the skill set needed to be a good President never run or get anywhere near politics. Being a US President is a nightmare of a job. Non-stop 24/7 scrutiny and shrill demands from both foes and friends. Unrealistic expectations and never ending criticism over every decision or statement made. The most critical part of being a good President is choosing the right inner circle policy advisers. These advisers are selected with very little or no legislative review process and they are the ones the President relies on to provide the information need to make wise decisions. These advisers have an enormous amount of influence on the President. Obama has been poorly served by his advisers. He ended up with to many relatively inexperienced idealists who have made the President look hesitant and indecisive on just about every major decision made.