[FPSPACE] I draw your attention to another major space-related clash of opinions!!!

[James Oberg]

I draw your attention to another major space-related clash of opinions!!!

http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1073/1

closing:

The danger in such terminological confusion and myth-making is that the topic of weapons in space is a serious one requiring serious national debate, especially in this presidential election year. But if all parties cannot find verbal tools with clear meanings, and develop a common foundation of factual reality, then any discussions will quickly decay into non-interacting exchanges of slogans and sincere but pointless posturing. At least, that's what has been happening so far, and what this recent missile test could become a valuable impetus for repairing. But it will only happen if there's a major change of heart-and change of brain-in the way people report on such activities.

If a debate over the USA 193 smash-up can "shoot down" the widespread sloppy terminology, knee-jerk politicizing, and reliance on deeply-rooted ambiguous concepts that have frustrated serious exchanges of opposing views on important aspects of national security policy, it will make a much more profound contribution to the safety of this planet than just protecting one random spot from half a ton of plummeting poison. And that would be a real breakthrough. Will it survive entry into our atmosphere?