Like other schools, the University of Iowa is made up of diverse groups of people who have come together to form an […]
Thursday, March 24th, 2016
John B. Alexander, Ph.D., Retired Senior Military Officer and Retired Los Alamos National Laboratory - The Huffington Post
Stephan: John Alexander, an SR reader and old friend, has written a notably sensible and very insightful assessment of what 21st century conflict has become, and why it developed as it has. He also correctly, in my view, addresses the critical failure evident in our current policies.
As you read it, compare it with what passes for international military policy discussion in the Presidential race.
John B. Alexander
It’s not about drones. The current controversy over the use of drones in combat is misguided. Drones, or more correctly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are distinguished from other aircraft due to the location of the pilots. But where the crew sits is not the right issue. This debate is another example of blaming technology for human misdeeds.
The real problem lies with the decision makers who choose to go to war when American national interests are difficult to articulate or better alternatives exist. An integral part of that equation is inadequate understanding of the consequences of those decisions by political leaders. When coupled with lack of personal accountability for the death and destruction they sow, it is a recipe for disaster. Too frequently we have taken the short-term tactical view while disregarding the strategic implications to the operations.
There is little doubt that advances in technologies play an important role in those war-making decisions and the controversy that follows. Employing drones, or other robotic weapons, lessens the personal risk to the operators. […]
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Thursday, March 24th, 2016
Jenny Staletovich, Reporter - Miami Herald
Stephan: Rick Scott -- one of the creepiest Republican zombie governors -- Jindal, Brownback, Walker, LePage -- supported by his colleagues in the legislature may believe climate change is an occult scam by scientists to get funding. People with an interest in facts have a rather different view, and even local media has become awakened to what is coming. This though is the first time I have seen a story quite this explicit about the migration aspect in a specific area of the country.
If you own property in Central and Southern Florida headlines such as the one accompanying this article ought to give you pause. If you do own such property, I think, you have about 10 years before serious devaluation starts. And as this article spells out, you may start seeing real estate changes even before then.
Miami flooding
Credit: Miami Herald
The number of people threatened by rising seas fueled by climate change in the U.S. could be three times greater than previously estimated, with more than six million Floridians at risk under a worst-case scenario, according to a study published Monday. (emphasis added)
For the first time, a team of researchers looked at ongoing population growth in areas where the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has created flood maps that more accurately reflect local conditions. What they found was startling: projections that failed to factor in population growth in dense states like Florida hugely underestimated the number of people at risk and the cost of protecting them.
Combined with the findings from a 2015 report, that means Florida can claim two titles: most property at risk and now, most people.
“In […]
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In years past, especially after the end of World War II, America had a stellar image in the world. Nations and their people looked up to this symbol of freedom and democracy. They respected its government and admired its people. America was often thought of as a role model for all other nations.
