Cold War, Part II
So, have you seen the recent news regarding the new cold war with Russia? Vladamir Putin is threatening to point missiles at American bases in Europe.
On it’s face, it seems rather silly. The US is saying that they want to put up a missile defense shield — in response Russia says that if the US puts up a shield, Russia will point missiles at the shield… think about it…
In reality, it’s more simple than that. Russia currently does not trust the US and the words that come out of the US state department (you’d be crazy if you did). So Russia is reacting to the American presence in Poland and the Czech Republic. In other words, this is ONLY happening because the US is building up our military presence in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Go ahead, claim it’s because of Iran, or North Korea, or something else. Blame ANYONE but the US. But the basic fact of the matter is that this is ONLY happening because of the US military presence.
Want to stop it? We can. Elect Ron Paul. Seriously. He will REDUCE the US presence in Europe! He will show the Russians that we’re not any threat to them (as long as they’re not a threat to us). It’s not surrender, it’s leaving countries alone!
Or we can elect any of the other Republican candidates — every last one of which will continue and expand the US military presence there — making more and more enemies with countries like Russia.
Popularity: 15% [?]
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Ogre, Putin has taken “permanent power” in Russia.
He is “buddy buddy” with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and what really burnt his biscuit was the fact Saddam Hussien owed him lots of money when we invaded. Money taken during the bogus “food for oil” thing so I don’t think reducing our presence in Europe is going to slow him down a bit. He has elevated himself in to a dictatorship, now he wants to throw his weight around.
Don’t get me wrong, I think withdrawing from places where we really aren’t wanted and letting the chips fall where they may, would be a good thing. Getting rid of the “free Clubhouse for our Enemies” aka The UN would be great too. But Putin and his animosity is not going to go away. I say let him, Germany and France all kiss butts in the Middle East and let’s just move on with our stuff. But he’s going to be a power monger much like Castro, only with more resources and a much larger country at his finger tips.
He might be — but what business is that of ours? I’m tired of being the world’s police force. How about we let Europe and their EU do whatever they want? How about we let them be free? I know it’s a radical position, but I think it’s time to stop intervening in everyone else’s business.
Heck, we can’t run our own damn country worth a crap these days!
I like the way these two comments frame the issue: Hoosier..: We might leave Europe but we have Putin looking hungrily westward, Ogre: We’ve been reviled long enough, let’s just get out. Perhaps part of Europe is coming to its senses. Sarkozy in France has recently made some overtures to US for improving relations. But what do we do if Putin at some future time reasserts the old Stalinist policy of establishing satellite states on Russia’s borders. Are we willing to redo the Cold War? Hoosier’s disgust with the Un is also telling. Most sensible Americans recognize the absolute stupidity of having an organization that has Algeria, N. Korea, Venezuela etc. composing a committee that passes judgement on democracy in new states! As our British cousins would say, “It’s a sticky wicket!”
Thomas Jefferson was right those many years ago:
“We wish not to meddle with the internal affairs of any country, nor with the general affairs of Europe.
Believing that the happiness of mankind is best promoted by the useful pursuits of peace, that on these alone a stable prosperity can be founded, that the evils of war are great in their endurance, and have a long reckoning for ages to come, I have used my best endeavors to keep our country uncommitted in the troubles which afflict Europe, and which assail us on every side.
The satisfaction you express, fellow citizens, that my endeavors have been unremitting to preserve the peace and independence of our country, and that a faithful neutrality has been observed towards all the contending powers, is highly grateful to me; and there can be no doubt that in any common times they would have saved us from the present embarrassments, thrown in the way of our national prosperity by the rival powers.
Do what is right, leaving the people of Europe to act their follies and crimes among themselves, while we pursue in good faith the paths of peace and prosperity.
Since this happy separation, our nation has wisely avoided entangling itself in the system of European interests, has taken no side between its rival powers, attached itself to none of its ever-changing confederacies. Their peace is desirable; and you do me justice in saying that to preserve and secure this, has been the constant aim of my administration.
No one nation has a right to sit in judgment over another.”
Wel Ogre, I can’t argue with ole Tom Jefferson. However, consider this, while Jefferson was composing these words, Napoleon was scheming to become master of Europe and not until 1815 with the Congress of Vienna, a unified European effort, did peace reign on the continent. It lasted for one-hundred years. Somehow I’ve ended up defending a position I find distasteful, i.e. meddling in Europesn affairs but I’m not sure we have any other choice. Given a resurgent Russia, an emerging China not to mention those hyenas who roam through that most peaceful of religions Islam and $100 /barrel oil, it might be reassuring to have someone rooting for our team. The Brits will be there, their democratic traditions are older than ours let’s just consider that diplomacy just might bring a few more into the democratic fold.
Now I’m all for diplomacy — but not at the point of a gun. I’ll all for talking and trading — but just not stationing troops all over the place and financing terrorists who are our friend one week and our enemy the next!
If we’re worried about oil, I say we go conquer Venezuela and be done with it. I’m tried of trying to make deals with the devil for oil.