American Science: Addicted to Pentagon Cash?

An anonymous submitter writes: "In totalitarian states the military can compel scientists to perform research for weapons systems. That's not true in the United States, yet American scientists who refuse military work are exceedingly rare today. This may be in part because scientists, like most other citizens, agree that the U.S. is facing dangerous foes. But some dissidents argue the cause is more likely that Pentagon cash has become an addiction that scientists rationalize by working on 'dual use' technologies -- radar that maps planets and guides missiles; robots that peer through smoke in apartment fires to rescue victims, and through battlefield smoke to find human targets."

Re:Military Ca$h

[keester]

Yeah, well, that grant was revoked. Maybe he should have kept his big mouth shut.

Yeah.

[ChozCunningham]

You woulda thought the scientific community would have learned it's lesson after building that government-funded menace the DARPAnet. Which of course led to more flame wars than any technology to date.

Easy money, retire early!

[teamhasnoi]

Become a Biogeneticist! I hear about those guys disappearing all the time.

I'm guessing you only have to show an interest and Darpa will give you a good job on some tropical island somewhere, your needs attended by hot island ladies.

At least, that's what the guy told me when we set up our meeting in the middle of a cornfield. hmmmm....

Re:Our foes are ourselves.

[homer_ca]

"I'm going to go watch reruns of Dukes of Hazzard"

Whoa there partner. Luke Duke's dynamite tipped arrows makes him a TERRORIST in the New World Order.

Not In My Name -- or on my resume!

[Anonymous Coward]

I feel the same way. I've turned down work in hammer factories, at the Louisville Slugger company, chainsaw companies, many a silverware manufacturer (what with the knives and all). And you'll never find me working for Ford or GM. No siree... No "products that are used to kill people" on my resume.

Re:Science in War SAVES LIVES

[HarveyBirdman]

cruz missile

Did I miss a memo? When was cruise missile production moved to Mexico????

Or contractors working on the death star...

[anthony_dipierro]

DANTE: My friend is trying to convince me that any contractors working on the uncompleted Death Star were innocent victims when the space station was destroyed by the rebels.

BLUE-COLLAR MAN: Well, I'm a contractor myself. I'm a roofer... (digs into pocket and produces business card) Dunn and Reddy Home Improvements. And speaking as a roofer, I can say that a roofer's personal politics come heavily into play when choosing jobs.

RANDAL: Like when?

BLUE-COLLAR MAN: Three months ago I was offered a job up in the hills. A beautiful house with tons of property. It was a simple reshingling job, but I was told that if it was finished within a day, my price would be doubled. Then I realized whose house it was.

DANTE: Whose house was it?

BLUE-COLLAR MAN: Dominick Bambino's.

RANDAL: "Babyface" Bambino? The gangster?

BLUE-COLLAR MAN: The same. The money was right, but the risk was too big. I knew who he was, and based on that, I passed the job on to a friend of mine.

DANTE: Based on personal politics.

BLUE-COLLAR MAN: Right. And that week, the Foresci family put a hit on Babyface's house. My friend was shot and killed. He wasn't even finished shingling.

RANDAL: No way!

BLUE-COLLAR MAN: (paying for coffee) I'm alive because I knew there were risks involved taking on that particular client. My friend wasn't so lucky. (pauses to reflect) You know, any contractor willing to work on that Death Star knew the risks. If they were killed, it was their own fault. A roofer listens to this... (taps his heart) not his wallet.

Re:Costa Rica has had no military since 1948.

[Anonymous Coward]

You are a moron. You think Costa Rica has anything anyone wants? I suggest you tell Osama and the rest of his mideval thinking extremist that they will laugh in your fack and kill you for being alive and non muslim. Asshat.

Re:I dare say...

[Sangui5]

I for one would like to not have a military, but then we're left with the problem of gaining a reliable ally that has a very strong one.

Ah, that's Japan's solution to the problem. Maybe we should use their reliable ally.