Posted on 09/16/2002 2:49:26 PM PDT by Pokey78
CONSENT CALENDAR
Date: 9-10-02 PASSED
RESOLUTION NUMBER 61744
To: Honorable Mayor and
Members of the City Council
From: Councilmember Dona Spring
Subject: ENDORSING THE SPACE PRESERVATION ACT AND COMPANION SPACE PRESERVATION TREATY TO PERMANENTLY BAN THE WEAPONIZATION OF SPACE
RECOMMENDATION: That the Council pass the attached resolution supporting the Space Preservation Act and the companion Space Preservation Treaty, and request that the City Manager send letters to our federal representatives urging their support of the Space Preservation Act.
BACKGROUND: On January 23rd 2002, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) introduced the Space Preservation Act, companion to the Space Preservation Treaty, to the US House of Representatives. In the words of Congressman Kucinich, “We can take this technology for destruction, for war, and, through this proposal, create a technology for peace. We can create a world where war no longer becomes inevitable. We first have to look to a practical measure, such a measure to stop the weaponization of space. There are so many opportunities for the evolution of our species. There is the possibility of space travel, for commerce, for exploration. That is part of the human spirit. It always has been. And so we have the chance today, launching this effort for peace, through saying, ‘There shall be no weapons in space.’ But not only that, but to use the legislation as a matrix for a treaty to preserve space which we will ask leaders from all over the world to sign.”
Please see attached.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: NONE
CONTACT PERSON: Councilmember Dona Spring 510 981-7140
RESOLUTION NO. 61744
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE SPACE PRESERVATION ACT AND THE SPACE PRESERVATION TREATY TO PERMANENTLY BAN THE WEAPONIZATION OF SPACE
WHEREAS, the Space Preservation Act and the companion Space Preservation Treaty will establish a permanent ban on all space-based weapons, on the use of weapons to destroy or damage objects in space that are in orbit; and the permanent termination of research and development, testing, manufacturing, production and deployment of all space-based weapons; and
WHEREAS, the termination of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty on June 13, 2002 will permit research, development, testing, manufacturing, production and deployment of space-based weapons, thereby instigating a dangerous, costly, and destabilizing arms race in space, endangering all residents of Berkeley, the United States of America and all of humankind, and invading outer space, humanity’s weapons-free common heritage, with space-based weapons; and
WHEREAS, The Space Preservation Act, companion to the Space Preservation Treaty, introduced by U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), requires the U.S. President to work toward “negotiating, adopting and implementing an international treaty banning space-based weapons and the use of weapons to destroy or damage objects in space that are in orbit;” and
WHEREAS, the Space Preservation Treaty will establish an outer space peacekeeping agency to monitor outer space and enforce the permanent ban of space-based weapons; and
WHEREAS, The Space Preservation Act and the Space Preservation Treaty facilitate future public and private investment in clean and safe technology, products and services, and in sustainable, non-weapons, expanded civil, commercial and military, world cooperative space ventures, and the consequent stimulation of the national and world economy. The Act and the Treaty do not prohibit activities including space exploration, space research and development, testing, manufacturing or deployment that is not related to space-based weapons or systems, or civil, commercial, or defense activities (including communications, navigation, surveillance, reconnaissance, early warning, or remote sensing) that are not related to space-based weapons or systems;” and
WHEREAS, the Space Preservation Act and the Space Preservation Treaty preserve the peaceful, cooperative uses of space for all residents of Berkeley and for all humankind; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
4) THAT IT IS THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BERKELEY THAT THE U.S. SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ENACT AND THE U.S. PRESIDENT SIGN AND ENFORCE THE SPACE PRESERVATION ACT; and
2) THAT IT IS THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL THAT THE U.S. PRESIDENT, INDIVIDUALLY OR AT AN EMERGENCY TREATY CONFERENCE, SIGN THE SPACE PRESERVATION TREATY, AND THAT THE U.S. SENATE RATIFY IT TO PERMANENTLY BAN ALL SPACE-BASED WEAPONS TO PRESERVE THE COOPERATIVE, PEACEFUL USES OF SPACE FOR ALL RESIDENTS OF BERKELEY AND FOR ALL HUMANKIND; and
3) The Council of the City of Berkeley hereby declares that the space 60 kilometers and above the City of Berkeley is a space-based weapons free zone; and
4) This Resolution of the Council of the City of Berkeley is hereby recommended to be adopted by all Municipalities in the United States of America and worldwide.
#####
So I'm sure somebody will violate this solemn resolution, which brings up the question of how they're going to enforce their resolution....
Perhaps this is actually a good thing. Berkely's desire to issue citations to the offending satellites (and of course, the lure of vast income from associated fines) will usher in the era of cheap and easy access to space.
Yes they actually have "Nuclear Free Zone" posted on telephone poles around town. Truly a bunch of losers.
Ironically, the only way they can is to deploy quick-reaction ASAT systems and violate their own ordinance :o)
I disagree; I think it is because young people are treated like children until they reach whatever magic number is specified on the books.
Older cultures always had rites of passage for young men, and they began their ascent into adulthood gradually, but took it seriously. There is nothing like this in our country, other than the far-too-few active parents who take their responsibilities seriously.
When we have teenagers drinking, the law is blamed, and the drinking age is raised to 21. What next? 25? 30?
When we have kids getting into wrecks for driving wildly through town we raise the legal age to drive to 16, then 18. There is talk of witholding full license until 21. What next?
When two scumbucket teens kill their parents, they are coddled as children and let go because they aren't 21. I'm sure you can attest to the knbowledge a teenager has about right and wrong, having been in the military at that age.
The problem is exacerbated by a sacm-for-profit called public education, which wants to own their profit margin for longer and longer. Because too many parents are "raising children" and not "raising young adults". In fact, some are doing less than that, because they themselves aren't adults.
Can someone tell me if all of the potholes are filled, teachers paid, and garbage collected in Berkley? This is the domain of city government after all.
The answer, and the ultimate source of the whole freakin' thing, is "Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" It has even more impact when you say that with the same sort of gravelly rasp that Billy Bob Thornton had in "SlingBlade."
Mmmmmhmmmmm...
.Never trust a French space-weapons dealer!
(Any hopes of them trying to secede from the union? Oh please, oh please!)
That would be correct before and after a nuclear missle obliterated everything around them and there was no longer an economy to speak of. We of course know that Berkley will be spared due to their 'polotical affiliations'. /sarcasm
And they would enforce this how? Kinda like Stalins remark about the Pope....
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