McCain Wants To Restart the Cold War

[tortoise1956]

Ukraine is vital to Russia in many ways. Included is a link to an interesting report:

W O R L D T H R E A T S - Russia: After Ukraine

Putin has tried to maintain a power base in Russia, but most Ukrainians do not want to be a Russian satellite. I do not know personally, so all I can give you is second-hand information from a friend who spent time in Eastern Europe in 2003-2004. He met Poles, Ukrainians, Belorussians, Georgians and Lithuanians. With the possible exception of Belarus, no one wants to see Russia regain the power they had. Why do you think that Ukraine is so interested in joining NATO?

I am sure that anyone who wants to understand the situation better can do the same web-surfing I did. Throw out the obvious kooky stuff, and what is left over is still very informative. The majority of the data does not support the conclusion that Ukraine is a close ally of Russia.

[Etta Place]

Originally Posted by tortoise1956

Ukraine is vital to Russia in many ways. Included is a link to an interesting report:

W O R L D T H R E A T S - Russia: After Ukraine

Putin has tried to maintain a power base in Russia, but most Ukrainians do not want to be a Russian satellite. I do not know personally, so all I can give you is second-hand information from a friend who spent time in Eastern Europe in 2003-2004. He met Poles, Ukrainians, Belorussians, Georgians and Lithuanians. With the possible exception of Belarus, no one wants to see Russia regain the power they had. Why do you think that Ukraine is so interested in joining NATO?

I am sure that anyone who wants to understand the situation better can do the same web-surfing I did. Throw out the obvious kooky stuff, and what is left over is still very informative. The majority of the data does not support the conclusion that Ukraine is a close ally of Russia.

That's just it. The Ukraine IS NOT interested in joining NATO. They don't want to be under the control of Russia, but they don't want Western control either.

[Etta Place]

Originally Posted by tortoise1956

or else he wouldn't have taken steps such as resuming strategic bomber flights, ramping up military production, retargeting strategic missiles on Europe, moving troops into South Ossetia without Georgian permission in direct violation of a treay. Not to mention military exercises in conjunction with China, who makes no bones about wanting to be the big dog on the block.

A quick check of the internet will reveal that pretty much all the major Russian media outlets are govenment controlled. Private ownership of industry is disappearing fast, with the exception of those who are in Putin's favor. He handpicked his successor as President, and he seems to have complete control of the Duma. Check this link if you want to see how powerful he really is:

Media curbs likely after Putin divorce report - CNN.com

Hainv served in the Navy during the cold war, I have no desire to go back to those days. If we do not rein in Putin and squash his dreams of empire, I am terrified that the end result will make the '70s look like the '50s.

Russia MAY be doing the things you mention, but I don't think his actions are taking place in a vacuum. There is action and reaction to outside events.

[rupert]

Originally Posted by Judge

No, but it possibly explains why he doesn't know what the hell he is talking about...

lol, i know you can come up with somthing better then that....

[LUVMYSIGP225]

Originally Posted by Etta Place

This is all based on rumor and some sort of inner feelings on the part of you and Frenchy. You offer no proof that your "feelings" are valid.

Etta,

I didn't think that you would make me dig out Putin's KGB docket. He ADMITTEDLY served for over a decade as a Lieutenant Colonel in the KGB. It is fairly common knowledge. He voluntarily joined the Communist Party and stayed there until it was dissolved. While in the KGB, he worked in a division that actively squashed political dissent. Here goes, Etta.....

In a 25 April 2005 speech, Putin called the collapse of the Soviet Union, “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century,” and referring to seperatist movements in places like Chechnya, said, “The epidemic of collapse has spilled over to Russia itself.” More recently, Russian aggression has led to concerns about the Cold War renewed. Putin has restricted the media and civil liberties while generally praising the old Soviet Union, even, in December 2000, restored the old Soviet anthem as Russia’s national anthem (albeit with new words). Putin is cut of the mold of so many post-collapse leaders from history, like Theodoric the Great—he harkens back to the fallen empire in title, mode and outlook, but it is not a past he is able to restore, only mimic.

The Anthropik Network The Collapse of the Soviet Union

A Tsar Is Born - Person of the Year 2007 - TIME

Putin's Career Rooted in Russia's KGB (washingtonpost.com)


I am not saying that Putin hasn't done good things for Russia. I am just saying that he is sentimental about the days of old.

[eric_t12]

Originally Posted by Judge

Here's another great thing McCain said in his speech about Russia:

<Rather than tolerate Russia's nuclear blackmail or cyberattacks, Western nations should make clear that the solidarity of NATO, from the Baltic to the Black Sea, is indivisible and that the organization's doors remain open to all democracies committed to the defense of freedom.>


Folks ought to at least read it first, before they try to criticize it.

Originally Posted by judge

Our problem came from believing NATO gave a damn and that the major partners would do anything ...

The british have been commanded by some of the biggest losers I've seen - very restrictive ROE and almost no patrols. Their goal is to minimize contact. They even made an agreement with the taliban giving them control of some afghan province if I remember correctly. We are probably gonna retake command of the NATO forces. ..

solidarity at its finest.

[FrankRizzoXD40]

Etta, what exactly were the negative side affects from the cold war???

Thanks,

Frank

[FrankRizzoXD40]

Originally Posted by Etta Place

This is all based on rumor and some sort of inner feelings on the part of you and Frenchy. You offer no proof that your "feelings" are valid.

lol.....Putin being an ex-KGB officer is a rumor

Frank

[Etta Place]

Originally Posted by LUVMYSIGP225

Etta,
I am not saying that Putin hasn't done good things for Russia. I am just saying that he is sentimental about the days of old.

And that's where you and Frenchy are going on your hunches based on Putin's past. You may be right, but you haven't proven it.

[Etta Place]

Originally Posted by LUVMYSIGP225

Etta,

I didn't think that you would make me dig out Putin's KGB docket. He ADMITTEDLY served for over a decade as a Lieutenant Colonel in the KGB. It is fairly common knowledge. He voluntarily joined the Communist Party and stayed there until it was dissolved. While in the KGB, he worked in a division that actively squashed political dissent. Here goes, Etta.....

In a 25 April 2005 speech, Putin called the collapse of the Soviet Union, “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century,” and referring to seperatist movements in places like Chechnya, said, “The epidemic of collapse has spilled over to Russia itself.” More recently, Russian aggression has led to concerns about the Cold War renewed. Putin has restricted the media and civil liberties while generally praising the old Soviet Union, even, in December 2000, restored the old Soviet anthem as Russia’s national anthem (albeit with new words). Putin is cut of the mold of so many post-collapse leaders from history, like Theodoric the Great—he harkens back to the fallen empire in title, mode and outlook, but it is not a past he is able to restore, only mimic.

The Anthropik Network The Collapse of the Soviet Union

A Tsar Is Born - Person of the Year 2007 - TIME

Putin's Career Rooted in Russia's KGB (washingtonpost.com)


I am not saying that Putin hasn't done good things for Russia. I am just saying that he is sentimental about the days of old.

I read the Time article about Putin. The first site you post is pretty interesting - "In Praise of Laziness?"