Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site lsuc.UUCP Path: utzoo!utcs!lsuc!jimomura From: jimomura@lsuc.UUCP (Jim Omura) Newsgroups: can.politics Subject: Re: Re: Some problems with Star Wars Message-ID: <676@lsuc.UUCP> Date: Mon, 24-Jun-85 23:39:35 EDT Article-I.D.: lsuc.676 Posted: Mon Jun 24 23:39:35 1985 Date-Received: Tue, 25-Jun-85 06:34:59 EDT References: <1196@utcsri.UUCP> Reply-To: jimomura@lsuc.UUCP (Jim Omura|Barrister Jimomura Solicitor|Toronto) Distribution: can Organization: Barrister & Solicitor, Toronto Lines: 29 Summary: Cure worse than problem? This response isn't really about SDI. I'm starting to get worried about the negative attitude to research which might be labelled SDI related. At this time, I'm trying to remain fairly open minded to SDI arguments on both sides. Generally I'm not in favour of taking part, for a number of reasons that have been batted around here and in the press (nothing original--sorry), but I'm concerned that many people are going to do a remake of the 'Commie Scare' of the McCarthy era (and the 'Yellow Terror' of pre-war North America), but against high tech research generally. It seems to me that a lot of legitimate research may suffer because people are going to make their decisions more on the basis of 'is this SDI or isn't it' than 'is this a good project or isn't it'? Is there any such thing as research which *can't* contribute to SDI? How close are the projects of those of you who are arguing most vigorously against it? If it has *anything* to do with computers, then I submit that it will probably be beneficial to SDI (sure, I'm talking about indirect benefit, but it's a lot closer than doing research on growing better carrots). Is this negativism I feel around here real or am I worried about nothing? Jim O. -- James Omura, Barrister & Solicitor, Toronto ihnp4!utzoo!lsuc!jimomura