High Altitude Airships

Philosophy Forums Society, Government, and Economics
1

I came across this video article while browsing the BBC news and while it doesn’t surprise me, it does confuse me a little. Most of the stuff that the US has come up with would actually be effective in fighting terrorism, if there were a serious terrorist threat, which there isn’t. This, however, just seems like a waste of resources and effort, with regards to fighting terrorism. I can think of plenty of other potential uses for such things, but not fighting terrorism.

The piece can be watched here.

2

siatd,

You have to remember that government sponsorship of any and everything is now part of the “war with terrorism”. This would include high altitude airships and perhaps a new regulation detailing the specifications for government purchased toilet paper. It’s all about the “boogie man under the bed” We’re now in an era of government-by-fear.

Like you, I can see many beneficial uses of such craft. For instance, exacting and up-to-the-moment weather forecasts, or monitoring crop conditions for maximum production. All good stuff. Air ships would be much more flexible and far less expensive than our current satellite systems.

That said, the potential for mis-use isn’t exactly lost on those who would find other forms of surveillance “useful”. Big Brother is here, and he isn’t quite as stupid as he was a few years ago…

3

news flash…

big brother has always been here…

and the only ones who fear the government are the useful idiots who were happy to be led by the nose and spied upon by the exact same programs under liberal democRAT administrations who now suddenly are horrified that we have a president with a spine who will actually use the information to kill, not “prosecute” and allow to fester, the problems and problem makers.

-Imp

4

Imp,

It’s true that Big B(r)other has always been around, but he didn’t have the tools available to do the damage he can bring to the party now. You may continue with your liberal/conservative rant all you wish, but it really won’t make any difference. Flip the coin and it will always come up heads. The new technologies will be used world-wide, not just by the U.S. Britain would be delighted to have such technology, along with their every street corner cameras. France needs better surveillance of their “immigrant” ghettos - oops, I meant neighborhoods… Germany could certainly use the technology in monitoring neo-nazi groups, and the list goes on and on. We no longer need to invent an enemy, we have one in place: it’s called fear. All governments will label any resistence to their power as terrorist activity.

You might want to be careful. If and when the pendulum swings back to the liberals, you’re writings could easily show neo-con terrorist sentiments. Big Bother will watch you as well… :astonished:

5

I don’t care. they are as it is…

-Imp

6

We used to be able to say, “Don’t step in the soft stuff.” It’s no longer possible. It’s ALL soft stuff… :unamused:

7

no, we never have been able to say that…

ignorance was bliss…

-Imp

8

It takes a little too much effort not to throw my notebook out the window when I read what you write sometimes. Granted, you likely think the same about me.

The president and his gang are the one making these so called problems to begin with. You know this. So what if the technology was always there with the liberals? You think you’re pointing out some big mystery? The point is that Bush is using the technology to cover his own ass as he goes about the things he’s doing. While he tries to convice the country we should be scared of whoever, the only one that should actually be scared is him, from us - you, me, that guy over there. Not the ‘liberals’, or the ‘democRATS’ as you like to put it.

I truly don’t understand, you know the country is failing, but yet you seem to be ok with simply waltzing into countries and usurping resources.

Whatever it is you’re on, I want some.

9

I have been sober for over 18 years. try it sometime.

-Imp

10

All of the coersion techniques are aimed mostly at sober individuals. For example when you watch tv your brain is less active than when you are asleep. Sobriety is counted on, it’s calculated. You watch electrion coverage on TV? Of course you do. The fact that you have been sober for 18 years actually makes much about your personality click, at least to me.

I ‘try’ sobriety all the time, I wave this facade in your faces all the time but, well… the above is the result.

If you can allow someone likely more than half your age to manipulate you into thinking he’s blazed all of the time, how do you think you’re faring against the United States government?

11

I have been sober for over 18 years. try it sometime.

-Imp
[/quote]
All of the coersion techniques are aimed mostly at sober individuals.

lol… evidence please. especially for american television not the canadian “pravda”

For example when you watch tv your brain is less active than when you are asleep.

not necessarily, but regardless, I don’t watch much tv.

Sobriety is counted on, it’s calculated.

no, the opposite is the case.

You watch electrion coverage on TV? Of course you do. The fact that you have been sober for 18 years actually makes much about your personality click, at least to me.

I ‘try’ sobriety all the time, I wave this facade in your faces all the time but, well… the above is the result.

and good for you.

If you can allow someone likely more than half your age to manipulate you into thinking he’s blazed all of the time, how do you think you’re faring against the United States government?
[/quote]

LOL…

good for you, but so what? you may not be as blazed as much as you claim (which says a lot for your character and credibility in itself), but you are more blazed than I…

I don’t see the bush government as an enemy.

-Imp

12

change what?

edit to clarify: what do you think you can fundamentally change by picking up a gun?

13

Wow… I don’t even know what to say.

Solid arguments…albiet a little overcomplicated.

Wait… where was the post disclaimer which claims ‘I wrote this high’?

lol

Oh man… you couldn’t have proven my point more succinctly. The black and white trend knows no psychological borders.

Alright, I think we’re done here.

14

look what has been done in israel and iraq for instance…

-Imp

15

yes, I think so as well.

-Imp

16

in what changes did those guns result, you think?
i reckon we may have a different idea about this so i want to hear your thoughts… you see, i already know my own conclusions from looking at what happened there

17

the creation of a palestinian state and the overthrow of a tyrant

all brought to you by guns.

-Imp

18

Guns didn’t create a palestinian state… maybe (just maybe), some of the needed conditions might have been provided by the use of guns and then still it depends much on the fashion in which they are used.
The creation of the palestinian state was achieved through dialogue and coöperation, mostly.

Any stability that might come in iraq will have the same reasons, because guns on their own made iraq no better than it was before… worse, in fact.
In the case of iraq, guns may have brought a disruption that gave a process to bring the iraqi something better the opportunity to be set in motion, but again, it all depends on how the guns are wielded.
Guns alone never made a divided country come to terms with itself… Guns may be a tool applied in the short term which needs a lot of delicate care or it will have the averse effect… More instability.
The long term solution includes getting rid of the guns.

Guns don’t fundamentally change anything… many more, more important, more essential factors and actors are needed for change,. it’s just not that simple.

greetz
willem

19

howdy

-Imp

20

my answer was much more nuanced than that, but this is where we differ
to you the guns are all, because they represent power
for me they are merely ridiculously powerful and destructive tool that can easily create huge distortions if wielded wrongly
i could go on, but i think my position on this is clear already, or it will be

no, they were the only things that actually made something useful happen, where the organisation took off and the common rationale took over from instability and madness

the tyranny of the individual who doesn’t want to be couped and the people who don’t want to be couped … and all that at the same time… let’s have it
you’ll call it an utopia… but it’s worth the try

i guess this is the essence of our differences
i prefer a less ridiculous life and although i’m not sure if there is such a thing, i will give all that i have to reach it… it may be a leap of faith, so to speak, (which, in itself, makes life more valuable already, imho, but that may be the poet in me speaking) though for me it doesn’t seem like such a big leap