Official Poll: Should we build missiles

[Hercules]

As part of the Defence Policy Review and Peacekeeper liberation force build up the question arises should we consider building conventional missiles as part of our arsenal.

Our technological progress is such, that building and stockpiling them may prove to be expensive and unnecessary. Since our air power, we anticipate, will be sufficient to deal with Hive base resistence.

There is also the suggestion we might want to build a PB as a deterrent, but that might just start a missile and PB arms race.

So it is useful to sound out people's views.

There are two polls in one. The first covers Conventional Missiles and the second Planet Busters. The options in each case are: -

Never
No need
Not yet
Yes
Write in
Xenobanana

and the same options for Planet Busters (PBs)
Vote once in each section

[Hercules]

There is a fairly convincing discussion in the unofficial poll thread on this topic so I would be surprised if the broad consensus was reversed. But stranger things have happened.

[Cedayon]

"Never" to both... I would go with "No need" on conventionals, but really I think they're so unnecessary that we should not bother. The mins are much better spent on noodles and choppers if we want an offensive airforce.

And PB's are right out, never will I abide their construction. If Yang gets to building one (unlikely, considering how long he's got till Fusion) we'll have to crush him quickly. I'm not sure anyone else is a threat in that regard.

How careful are we being with our data files on Fusion Power, anyway? Would, say, Morgan build PBs if he had the tech?

[DeathByTheSword]

just for the fun of it lets buy some PB`s we can spare the rescource its not that we are like not that far ahead of anyone else....so build them...they are fun to have...

[Cedayon]

Well, yea, PBs are lots of fun... but if there's one thing I'm going to take an RP-based stand on, it's against PBs... I can't abide having (let alone using) a weapon that literally blows holes in continents, killing *everyone* in a pretty significant radius.

Low/medium yield nukes I can live with, they're essentially really big bombs with a nasty after affect... but explosive land-to-lake conversion is *not* cool

edit- come on, all you tree huggers greenies ( ), the things aren't called "Planet busters" for nothing, you know what to do

there's also the diplomatic consequences of even possessing a PB arsenel...

[Earwicker]

There often seems to be a diplomatic effect of NOT possessing them - or a military effect, to be precise. From my experience, the doctine of deterrence does seem to work against the AI. For that reason, a couple of PB's would seem practical. If Yang starts in on his PB construction, obviously our first recourse is to stop him. However, it would be good insurance, especially if Yang shares OSF with other factions.

And just say NO to conventionals. Noodles and choppers give us more flexibility and longevity.

[Lemmy]

Well, if there's one thing I'm going to take an RP-based stand on, it's for PBs, lot's of them also!

[Cedayon]

Originally posted by Lemmy
Well, if there's one thing I'm going to take an RP-based stand on, it's for PBs, lot's of them also!

I knew you would be their champion... maybe it would serve Yang right to be nuked to pieces and overrun by Lemmy's undead army of darkness (not necessarily in that order)... I can't support that, of course, but I wouldn't mind seeing it

[Method]

never, never. and for the sake of planet, let's never elect lemmy DPO

[Cedayon]

Originally posted by TKG
never, never. and for the sake of planet, let's never elect lemmy DPO

Those would be a fun last few days

[Voltaire]

For conventional missiles, yes if needed. But as it stands I do not believe we have any situations which necessitate use of conventional missiles.

As for planet busters I voted never (doesn’t our constitution prohibit constructing them???). Though we should not completely rule out their construction, but rather if the DPO wanted then, have a poll.

[GeneralTacticus]

(doesn’t our constitution prohibit constructing them???).

No. This seems to be a common myth caused by the fact that the CCCP demanded a constitutional ban on atrocities, but ti was not implemented as the constitution is only meant for structuring the government, not how we play the game.

[Drogue]

Originally posted by TKG
never, never. and for the sake of planet

You know your a tree-hugging leftie under all that FM talk

Originally posted by TKG
let's never elect lemmy DPO

I don't know, we get to use the hordes of undead. Although the idea of Lemmy in charge of our intelligence units (again) is a little frightening

[GeneralTacticus]

Never to conventional missiles; they're of little use, but yes to PBs; there's nothing wrong with having them, as long as we don't use them.

[Hercules]

What's that big red button for. I wonder is it for the lift. PB Ah the basement.

Presses button. Oops

But I didn't mean to wipe out New Apolyton

[Method]

Originally posted by Drogue
You know your a tree-hugging leftie under all that FM talk

you've seen my nationstate, havn't you? i was a left-wing utopia for christ's sake!

[Hercules]

Well the answer is conclusive regarding PBs. Never.

There is also a clear massage from our citizens regarding Convention missiles. A feeling of 'no need' and never. Definitely not yes.

So MWIA, the new DPO, this is one military decision you don't have to think about.

Just think you won't have a stock of missiles to have them destroyed by UN inspectors.

[MrWhereItsAt]

Just as well. I don't think I could stand building long, sleek, state-of-the-art missiles that strike respect into our enemies and then having to destroy them.

Poor Saddam.

[GeneralTacticus]

Um... there wasn't really a clear message on PBs. 50% voted never, 1 voted no need (probably Archaic), and 6 voted either yes, or yes sometime in the future.

[Drogue]

Well, that means at the moment there is a majority against. That is clear. We may just have to poll in the future for them, since there was not a conclusive majority for never.

[Drogue]

Originally posted by GeneralTacticus
there's nothing wrong with having them, as long as we don't use them.

What's the use in having them, if we're not going to use them?

[GeneralTacticus]

They're a political weapon. It will make the other factions just that little bit more respectful, because they can never be sure that we won't use them.

EDIT: and I acknowledge that there is a majority for 'never', I'm just saying that it isn't a clear majority.

[Drogue]

Originally posted by GeneralTacticus
They're a political weapon. It will make the other factions just that little bit more respectful, because they can never be sure that we won't use them.

I don't think AIs work like that. All I find is they become a bit annoyed with me for having them and warn me not to use them. If we have them, there will be the temptation to use them. It's a lot of minerals to waste on something we will never use. Personally, I would not even sanction using them if we are attacked first with them.

Planet Busters - So evil their related to Lemmy

[GeneralTacticus]

Does anyone actually know how the AIs are affected by your possession of PBs? I always interpreted their warning me not to use them as their being afraid that I would use them, as they well should be. Any weapon which is capable of blowing large chunks out of the planet's surface is one to be feared.

[Method]

Originally posted by GeneralTacticus
Does anyone actually know how the AIs are affected by your possession of PBs?

i don't kkow if they are at all, but i'm not certain