04/18/24
March 29, 2005
Former Linebacker Obsessed with Defense: So far, the United States has spent $120 billion in pursuit of missile defense technology. Former 49er Riki Ellison has made it his life's work to see that we don't stop there.
Well this is one of many advocate groups/think tanks we have in the country. Its one of the beutiful things about our country. Anybody can embrace an idea and creatively promote it. In principal, a missle defense in a great idea' realistically the technology has to improve and get cheaper before it can apply. Interesting topic.
posted by daddisamm at 08:05 AM on March 29, 2005
No intentions, though I do think he's nuts. I just think his move from the NFL to public policy advocacy is interesting.
posted by rcade at 09:00 AM on March 29, 2005
Well, I'm a big advocate the otherway - in principal, no one will use ICBMs anymore. They're strategically obsolete.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:31 AM on March 29, 2005
...and the image of three kids holding hands selling military hardware makes me puke.
posted by garfield at 10:10 AM on March 29, 2005
Nuclear missles in general are a threat in the wrong hands. Despite the disarmimg of many ICBM's there are still alot of them around. If our country gets ht by a rouge nuclear missle-Everybody is going to ask the same question: Why couldnt this be stopped? All angles of defense need to be looked into. The currant missle defense system proposed my not be the one that will work. But it should be looked into. I am not trying to start a debate here cause this is a hot issue--one that has merrits on both sides...
posted by daddisamm at 10:35 AM on March 29, 2005
watch out! flying fruit! "But isn't it assured destruction for any country that launches a nuke at the U.S.?: 'Well, yes, because we kick ass!' "So why do we need a missile shield?" 'To defend against rogue attacks' "From rogue nuclear states, that would no longer exist if they launced their missiles" 'Exactly. Isn't it brilliant in its simplicity?' "Simple, as in simpleton-esque. Does this missile shield protect us from so-called dirty bombs and suitcase nukes?" 'Well no, but listen to the words 'missile shield'. Doesn't it make you feel safer?'
posted by garfield at 10:49 AM on March 29, 2005
We need to look at all types of defenses-period-
posted by daddisamm at 10:52 AM on March 29, 2005
Yes, look at all types of defense, but spends billions on them at the expense of intelligence? Doubtful.
posted by bperk at 11:13 AM on March 29, 2005
I think $120 billion consists of a pretty long look, don't you? Can you imagine how much more we would have been charged for anti-missile technology that actually worked?
posted by rcade at 11:16 AM on March 29, 2005
I have nothing sports related to add to this thread.
posted by chicobangs at 12:01 PM on March 29, 2005
Can you imagine how much more we would have been charged for anti-missile technology that actually worked? But at least it would have worked then instead of being just a money pit. Even if it worked, would you want a 120 billion dollar umbrella that doesn't even stop the rain? What the hell for? The movie Sum of All Fears has a more realistic nuke scenario in it than what these guys are anticipating. Weird change up for Ellison though, from linebacker to lobbyist. I bet Ellison likes the 1990 joke: What do sportswriter Lisa Olson and Saddam Hussein have in common?...they've both seen Patriot missiles up close. So, did anyone here submit their resume on that MDAA page or what?...ha ha.
posted by chris2sy at 12:13 PM on March 29, 2005
daddisamm - this shit is pure weapons-grade bamboozling. Don't believe the hype.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 12:14 PM on March 29, 2005
That does it Weedy. If I get blown up by a nuclear missle I'm going to kick your ass.
posted by dzot at 12:22 PM on March 29, 2005
I"ll believe it if and when we have something in place that works. Just because I daid I believe in the concept of a missle defense system doesnt mean I blinding will follow anything........ All I know is that our country has alot of demands on its defensive mechanisms...There are alot of things that we aint ready for. Saying that we will just wipe out a rogue country that uses nuclear missles on us isnt a defense. we aint ready for a suitcase nuke either...... I'd rather talk sports-cause I would bet most of you wouldnt agree with how I feel on the subject
posted by daddisamm at 12:28 PM on March 29, 2005
daddisamm - this shit is pure weapons-grade bamboozling. Don't believe the hype. posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 12:14 PM CST on March 29 Thats the trouble weedy, nobody believes in anyting anymore-except for having a good time-etc,etc....
posted by daddisamm at 12:33 PM on March 29, 2005
Saying that we will just wipe out a rogue country that uses nuclear missles on us isnt a defense. ok then, how about "we will just wipe out a rogue country that uses nuclear missles on us by launching a nuclear counter-strike the likes of which the world has never seen, via our long range bombers and submarines, presently equipped with such weaponry." Is that a defense? If not, several branches of the armed forces would like to have a word with you.
posted by garfield at 12:54 PM on March 29, 2005
I believe in grammatical sentences and proper spelling. I also believe the importance of keeping our sports figures and political figures separated.
posted by rocketman at 01:18 PM on March 29, 2005
I also believe the importance of keeping our sports figures and political figures separated. Amen to that.
posted by justgary at 03:25 PM on March 29, 2005
*throws referee's yellow flag on the field* You guys are being rougher on daddisamm than called for by his comments, which are not positive about the wisdom of having spent $120 LARGE on this program but only that the concept is useful and worth exploring. Which it is, but in practice our politicians of both parties have not surprisingly mucked it up. More important is how badly Ellison shows the value of a USC education. Since I was there at the same time as him, this is not a good thing at all. Maybe it was all those collisions on the football field. One can hope.
posted by billsaysthis at 03:43 PM on March 29, 2005
Yes, Let us talk sports. This isnt the place for this discussion.
posted by daddisamm at 04:22 PM on March 29, 2005
sorry, bill, but 'every option must be investigated' when applied to failed technology is just too rosy a hue to be used to paint our current political climate, and extends the benefit of doubt to those who will doubtlessly benefit from its continued R&D, and eventual implementation. and avoiding politics on this thread was an impossibility from the start.
posted by garfield at 04:28 PM on March 29, 2005
"Our currant Political climate?" What is that supposed to mean???....I shouldn't... but I have to ask!
posted by daddisamm at 05:50 PM on March 29, 2005
$120 billion. I'm sure someone is singing "Rikki don't lose that number." What's next -- former teammate Bubba Paris is going to go up in the Space Shuttle?
posted by SportsProf at 07:36 PM on March 29, 2005
For a small fraction of that $120 million, I bet I could deliver a missile defense system that wouldn't work, too.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:01 PM on March 29, 2005
garfield, daddisamm's statement doesn't suggest that he agrees with the decision to spend $120B on the joke of a space shield we've gotten, calm down for a sec and re-read the original comments.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:08 PM on March 29, 2005
There is a breaking Steroid Story in the NFL and we are talking about a space sheild. wow
posted by daddisamm at 12:09 AM on March 30, 2005
Please forgive for my mis-spelling of the word missile--and any other errors that I may have committed....interesting discussion -but it will go no where here..
posted by daddisamm at 12:18 AM on March 30, 2005
Remind me again...just because a former NFL player is actually able to gain employment after his playing days (which judging from most of the former NFL guys that I know, actual hard work, outside of being on the gridiron, is a foreign concept)...is this really a reason to have this on a SPORTS thread discussion? (This comment is NOT to show disrespect the former NFL guys that actually do something AFTER football...I suppose I could just be biased by the off-field accomplishments, or should I say antics, of the dozen or so that I personally know.) If I wanted to throughly discuss national safety, politics, the abilities (or lack thereof) of a missile defense system, I would gladly join a discussion of the GOP or DNC. During this time, I will continue to be grumpy over the fact that the Auburn Tigers were undefeated in the 2004 NCAA Div-1 football year and they were still not able to play for a title shot. (Yes, yes, yes, I know that USC suffered the same fate in 2003, but I didn't think it was right then either). WAR EAGLE!
posted by BigAl4Auburn at 01:55 AM on March 30, 2005
Did anyone ever try wrapping the whole planet in a band of dollar bills?
posted by yerfatma at 06:19 AM on March 30, 2005
Wouldnt "twentys" work better??????
posted by daddisamm at 11:25 AM on March 30, 2005
BigAl, how do you fit three teams into one game?
posted by billsaysthis at 06:37 PM on March 30, 2005
Terrible idea. Makes no sense strategically. Ha! It just got political - but rcade, I can only assume that to be the intention.