Karen Selwyn wrote:
> mrtravel wrote:
>
>>
>> You previous posts seemed to indicate their feeling of insecurity was
>> Google Earth's fault, when it was actually the news media causing it.
>
>
> How do you come to that conclusion? In this thread you haven't indicated
> you've seen the news report I'm citing. On what basis, have you decided
> that the soldiers were unaware of Google Earth until the news media
> brought it to their attention?
You missed the point. Google Earth is NOT providing any pictures that
aren't available elsewhere, and have been available for YEARS. Even NASA
is a source for the same pictures. This is like saying that CNN
reporting soldieres dying is the cause of soldiers dying. The soldiers
would be dead without CNN reporting it, and the pictures would still
exist without Google Earth.
>
>> Would you forego the use of oil?
>> This is the fundamental reason we are there.
>
>
> Forego the use of oil? You're really into absolutes (See below).
Well, you suggested getting rid of Google Earth for something that is
available elsewhere. It might cost a few bucks in other places, but the
terrorists can afford it.
> I'd forego America's fascination with SUVs, for example. In my
> neighborhood shopping centers, the parking lots are dominated by the
> largest versions of SUVs on the market. The vast majority of these
> vehicles will never go off road -- never see any terrain more rocky than
> some gravel in a parking lot. You bet I'd forego the gas guzzling
> vehicles that populate the American landscape if it meant lives could be
> saved. That's a long way from foregoing oil.
Americans use a lot more petrol than the rest of the world, even without
the SUV's. Many Americans will drive to a store that is less than a
1/2 mile away. Many Americans can't live without being in constantly air
conditioned places.
>
>> Google Earth did nothing to hurt the morale, news media hype did that.
>
>
> Nothing is an absolute word. I'm unwilling to accept a description that
> allows for no exceptions.
Google Earth is providing information that has been available for YEARS.
They have a nice GUI that lets you "fly" from one location to another,
but this feature really isn't needed to see the pictures. The bases
themselves aren't hidden, so all a terrorist would have to do is know
the location and then find the picture. This doesn't require Google
Earth, anymore than passing terrorist plans from person to person
requires a computer. If a computer is used, is it the computer's fault?
Google Earth made the process more "entertaining" for users, it didn't
create the pictures.
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