[leif]

Originally posted by MaggieL
Learning energy tech from NPR and /. is like learning about computers at Sears. You'll be entitled to hold the opinion that we should just switch to alternate energy when you actually know something about it.

Fair enough, like I said I'm no expert. I realize we can't "just switch over", but the technology is certainly there and it just seems like we could be moving more in that direction.

Originally posted by MaggieL
That just *might* have something to do with the tfact that he's been threateneing to do exactly this sort of thing for years, has written extensively on techniques for doing it, and his people have been stopped just before doing it before a number of times. Those who have seen the evidence (which isn't on cnn.com for your personal perusal yet to protect the sources and methods that produced it--remeber the story of Enigma and Coventry?) say it's compelling.

His own son still claims he couldn't have done it. Not that I believe him any more than CNN, but it does raise further doubt. Has anyone who you have reason to trust seen the evidence and said it's compelling?

Originally posted by MaggieL
Now *thats'* a broad range of authoritiative sources. Falwell's theory was that it was God punishing the queers...the same reasoning he applied to AIDS, as I recall.

Yes, Falwell had a list of guilty parties that included the ACLU and the People for the American Way. Falwell says a lot of crazy stuff. I was just illustrating the point that simply saying that the U.S. deserved this doesn't make someone a terrorist (bin Laden has said he thought the attack was "joyous", but didn't say he was involved, and many have taken this as an admission of guilt).

Originally posted by MaggieL
Their willingess to "negotiate" suddenly appeared when we demonstrated we were ready to apply military force and had widespread backing for it. "Negotiating" isn't being offered now, nor should it be. The time for "negotiating" was back last December, when the UN imposed sanctions on the Taliban for not surrendering bin Laden and his buddies.
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I think the "time for negotiating" is never over; in my opinion there should always be a continuing effort to resolve the matter without dropping bombs.

Originally posted by MaggieL
No, they're getting blown up because their government is run by outlaw religious fanatics who are providing a front operation for terrorists. This isn't time to open the bazaar. "Our precious national security" has to do with keeping *our* kids out of rags and safe from being blown up. Where has your concern about Afghan kids been for the last ten years?

My concern for the Afghan kids has been pretty minimal for the past ten years. There are kids suffering all over the world. The ones in Afghanistan have suddenly a discussion item now that practically everyone I talk to is in favor of bombing their country.

Originally posted by Whit
I also agree that the bombing has been heavy handed and clumsy. Yes lot's of innocent's have died. No question we need to do better. I however don't forget the fact that I don't have a better idea. Do you?

Yeah, I have a much better idea. How about we stop killing civilians in the name of stopping terrorism? It doesn't take a genius to realize that the U.S. is commiting terrorist acts of it's own. And it's real hard to have any respect for a country that kills civilians in an anti-terrorist military campaign.

Originally posted by Whit
The U.S. is a nation, it's primary funtion is the welfare of it's own citizens. We are not responsible for improving their lives. Most of the world feels we should do more to help them but we haven't dealt with alot of problems at home.

I'm not even talking about spending money on aid programs for these people; I'm just saying it's stupid to spend money killing them. They've got it bad enough, they don't need our bombs raining down from the sky too.