On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 07:36:16 GMT, wrote:

On Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:51:47 GMT, Stephen Horgan
wrote:

On Tue, 24 Jan 2006 15:48:36 GMT, wrote:

It is simply a fact that a significant space-faring
civilization would be able to do whatever it wanted with the obsolete
nations of the earth.

Only if they had completely ceded control of orbital space; not very
likely in the face of any significant developments in the field of
offensive space capability.

A space-faring civilization would have no trouble eliminating any
plausible earth-orbital defenses. Just put a small comet into a
retrograde low earth orbit, and watch the fireworks.

As if all of the nations of the earth would sit and watch while anyone
engaged in an assault that would indiscriminately eliminate orbital
infrastructure. Especially if such a plan would take months or years
to execute. A spacegoing military buildup backed by an entire planet's
industrial base would be the most likely consequence.

Anyway, a comet versus a swarm of high-yield nukes or massed and
sustained megawatt laser fire? Likewise for any assaulting space
forces. It would be a war, not an annexation.

--
Stephen Horgan

"intelligent people will tend to overvalue intelligence"

http://www.horgan.co.uk/