REAMOND
|
posted on February 14, 2003 08:26:11 PM new
Would you want to know ?
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/science_medical/story.jsp?story=378392
|
Linda_K
|
posted on February 15, 2003 06:04:19 AM new
If one knew it was coming, one could say their goodbyes to their loved ones. Or if they lived close enough to one another they might decide they'd like to all physcally be together.
I could understand if others would want to be made aware. For me, I'd rather be in the 'she didn't know what hit her group'.
|
Helenjw
|
posted on February 15, 2003 07:21:46 AM new
In other words, you would not want to be in the position of the Iraqi families, knowing that a preemptive strike is on the way. That must be hell....I agree.
But I want to know. Secrecy about possible catatrophic events should not be the policy of government.
Helen
|
Linda_K
|
posted on February 15, 2003 08:23:17 AM new
Are you suggesting the people of Iraq aren't aware there's a possible war coming? They are, Helen.
And I think Reamond's article was speaking to the issue of an event where no one could change the outcome. That is not the case with Saddam. He has the ball in his court and could end this all in a day if he chose to. Very simple and not at all like what is referred to in this article.
|
Helenjw
|
posted on February 15, 2003 09:22:29 AM new
No, Linda. I'm not suggesting that.
And I know what Reamond's article is about. You may not.
I think that I will put on my snow suit and go out and buy a lot of French wine and some French pierrer water.
Helen
|
Linda_K
|
posted on February 15, 2003 09:36:43 AM new
Hey...sounds good to me. Why don't you just plan a trip there. You'd fit right in.
|
Helenjw
|
posted on February 15, 2003 09:43:33 AM new
I've been thinking and thinking but I just can't figure out where you would fit in.
Hmmmm...Mississippi would be perfect!
I'm a global type of gal. I could fit in many places. LOL!
Helen
|
ferncrestmotel
|
posted on February 15, 2003 10:13:44 AM new
Hi Reamond -
For some reason, I can't get that article to open and I can't find an archive option at the website.
I have heard conspiracy theories that the US government has knowledge of an asteroid hit which may occur in 10 years or so, and are supressing that info to protect the stock markets.
If that's the case, it may make sense to keep it from the public to avoid panic and chaos while they work on options to eliminate the threat.
Hopefully, if an asteroid ever collides with earth, it will be a precision hit on France, with no collateral damage to surrounding countries.
|
reamond
|
posted on February 15, 2003 10:20:58 AM new
The gist of the article is that if a killer asteroid was going to hit and we could not do anything about it, should the public be alerted ? One govt scientist suggested that the public should not be alerted.
I think the panic and mayhem is enough reason not to tell the public. People would start doing very strange things knowing that everything was coming to an end, not just their own lives, but every evidence that they even existed will be destroyed-- well except Voyager and any other craft sent out of the galaxy.
|
Borillar
|
posted on February 15, 2003 10:32:04 AM new
>For some reason, I can't get that article to open and I can't find an archive option at the website.
Try using Microsoft Internet browser. My Netscape browser did the same thing.
|
ferncrestmotel
|
posted on February 15, 2003 10:46:04 AM new
Thanks for the tip Borillar.
I was using Explorer, which seems to work better for me than Netscape anyway.
As it turned out, my third attempt brought the article up.
This topic brought to mind two great books I read years ago by Wylie and Baumer - "When Worlds Collide" and "After Worlds Collide."
|
Borillar
|
posted on February 15, 2003 10:49:40 AM new
Yeah. I suspected that any devastating asteroid headed this way would be kept quiet. How many times have the astronomers discovered a close approaching asteroid headed this way? Of those, several have been predicted to hit the earth years from now. And then, within a day, out comes a disclaimer that "Ha! Ha! It's going to be CLOSE, but it'll miss us! Ha! Ha! You DO believe us, don't you?"
|
Linda_K
|
posted on February 15, 2003 11:03:07 AM new
So....ferncrestmotel - You're in charge of the decision making. Which way would you go? Tell or not?
|
ferncrestmotel
|
posted on February 15, 2003 11:23:03 AM new
Hi Linda K - Yikes, that's why I would never be a politician!
I would compare it to the situation with Iraq - there are times when full disclosure is contrary to a country's best interests. I have no doubt we have a ton of evidence on Saddam's WMD we can't reveal to protect our sources, inteligence system, and the future safety of our guys in the field.
Based on what I've seen of anarchic opportunists (i.e. riots after the Rodney King trial and the Oakland Raiders' Super Bowl disintegration), civil upheaval would be a distinct possibility.
Because of that, I would keep the info under cover and work to eliminate the asteroid. Unfortunately, because of greed and personal agendas, a leak would probably compromise those efforts anyway.
By the way, my earlier reference to two novels was erroneous - it should be "Balmer", not "Baumer".
I stand corrected, thanks to orthopedic footwear.
|
Linda_K
|
posted on February 15, 2003 01:07:25 PM new
Thanks....and I enjoyed your humor too.
|
gravid
|
posted on February 15, 2003 05:04:51 PM new
Yes when one is about to hit you can be sure two days before all the big shots will be flown to the opposite side of the world and down a mine with about all the worlds stocks of Champagne and MRE ala Dr. Strangelove.
|
Helenjw
|
posted on February 15, 2003 06:29:19 PM new
Lol! gravid! Your writing is fantastic. I was reading some old threads today and your comments were especially right on target!
Good luck with your book!!!
Helen
|
NearTheSea
|
posted on February 15, 2003 07:11:21 PM new
Planet X is gonna hit
Ya'll need to listen to COASTTOCOASTAM.COM and find your local station! 
Art Bell Retired! George Noory is on late night coasttocoastam.com
|
gravid
|
posted on February 15, 2003 09:42:23 PM new
Thanks Helen - At 178K words 282 pages. I have to go back and find another name for a space plane because I had named it the Willie McCool and it gets shot up. I don't think that would be well recieved anymore. Don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
[ edited by gravid on Feb 15, 2003 09:43 PM ]
|
