Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Asymmetry
Okay, so on the one hand North Korea is getting ready to launch a missile, possibly nuke-tipped, that can reach Seattle.
On the other hand, the United States is getting ready to launch ahighly advanced innovative technically futuristic 25-year-old beater that can just barely fly.
Aside from the obvious military asymmetry (NK wants to kill us, we just want to deliver groceries to the Space Station) what signal does this send to the world?
When we proudly trumpet the launch of a tired and busted-up old thingamajig with no clear purpose, we should expect the world to treat us with contempt.
If this is the best we can do, we should at least have the common sense to keep it quiet, as the Soviets did when their space program was in its incompetent infancy. ¶ 9:15 AM
Okay, so on the one hand North Korea is getting ready to launch a missile, possibly nuke-tipped, that can reach Seattle.
On the other hand, the United States is getting ready to launch a
Aside from the obvious military asymmetry (NK wants to kill us, we just want to deliver groceries to the Space Station) what signal does this send to the world?
When we proudly trumpet the launch of a tired and busted-up old thingamajig with no clear purpose, we should expect the world to treat us with contempt.
If this is the best we can do, we should at least have the common sense to keep it quiet, as the Soviets did when their space program was in its incompetent infancy. ¶ 9:15 AM
