Town Square

Post a New Topic

Bush and Russia's Putin

Original post made by A Boomer, Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Jun 5, 2007

Condi Rice is an old Soviet expert, so here is a foreign policy situation where advice from the highest places has a solid foundation. The specific issue at hand is the idea of a defensive missile arsenal being placed in the Czech Republic. Bush is talking it up while he is in Europe, Putin of Russia has made it clear that Russia does not like it.

Without passing muster on the idea of the missiles themselves, and whether or not the case can be made for this particular action by the United States and its allies, I think this points out something more profound and disconcerting about this President. His history of mis-managing foreign policy during his time in office gives this writer no confidence whatsoever that he 1. understands the policy 2. can make a compelling case with our friends for it or 3. negotiate with countries such as Russia which have a skeptical view of this idea.

A boy is out doing a man's work.

Comments (17)

Posted by Sarlat
a resident of Crescent Park
on Jun 5, 2007 at 3:11 pm

Cindi has never given any advise to Dubya. She anticipates what he wants to hear and then tells it to him.


Posted by Draw the Line
a resident of Stanford
on Jun 5, 2007 at 4:31 pm

Europe likes it also. Not just Bush. Europe sees which side of their borders lies the trouble.

This is defense against Iran, North Korea, not Russia.

Putin has been bringing Russia back to the "old days" for a couple years, and is continuing to push it.

He isn't happy because he has allied Russia with ..guess who? Iran.


Posted by Anon.
a resident of Community Center
on Jun 5, 2007 at 6:14 pm

Euros like It? Give Us A Break!
A defense against Iran, N. Korea?
Why do we need this when they haven't the
capability to strike us?
Putin wasn't the one who brought these folks together either.
The U.S. promoted the first cold war.
It's good for business.
And now it's happenin' again.
Don't need to be a genius to figure it out.
[Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]


Posted by Yay Stanford!
a resident of College Terrace
on Jun 5, 2007 at 6:27 pm

I've never liked Condi's USSR analysis.

It's understandable that she had to pull the party line and pretend Reagan defeated the Evil Empire, but she's had nearly 20 years to acknowledge what any canny 12-year-old could figure out: Something was terribly wrong with a system where it was possible to sit in a Moscow restaurant, feast on the world's finest caviar, and wash it all down with Russian champagne for about US$9 per person.

What a kiss-up.


Posted by Sarlat
a resident of Crescent Park
on Jun 5, 2007 at 7:34 pm

Rice has always had a very poor reputation as a Russian analysts. it seems like her intellectual capacity goes as far as adopting some old stereotypes about that subject. It's very doubtful that she has any profound knowledge about contemporary Russia. She is not an intellectual, she's a courtesan who memorizes just enough about a subject she actually knows very little about to make her ignorant master feel he has an expert on his side.


Posted by Walter_E_Wallis
a resident of Midtown
on Jun 5, 2007 at 7:55 pm

[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]


Posted by Draw the Line
a resident of Stanford
on Jun 5, 2007 at 7:59 pm

That is the classic re-write from leftists who were ashamed of their support of the former USSR once the Wall fell and the truth of Russia's horrific legacy came to light. The left was on the wrong side then, and is now.

All but a few accept this re-write. Especially those of us who lived through the 60s, 70s and 80s and watched the Democrats fall over themselves trying to claim they had "always" supported the Cold Ware and "always" supported Reagan's military push which drove Russia to her knees.

I look forward to watching the next 10 years in this world, and watch the history continue to be re-written. ( Just look at how many Democrats are re-writing their votes on Iraq now. These same ones will try to take the credit when we leave leave a successful Iraq)


Posted by Draw the Line
a resident of Stanford
on Jun 5, 2007 at 8:00 pm

[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]


Posted by Anon.
a resident of Crescent Park
on Jun 5, 2007 at 8:06 pm

Drawin With Crayons- not sure what you said- though I am sure you did- sounds like
you mentioned something about left and right and who was wrong- didn't you know an
eagle can only fly if its got two wings?


Posted by Yay Stanford!
a resident of College Terrace
on Jun 5, 2007 at 8:22 pm

Gotta love that plucky New Yorker who nailed Dr. Ferragamo for shoe shopping while thousands of her fellow countrymen were floating face down in New Orleans.

[Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]




Posted by A Boomer
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jun 6, 2007 at 6:43 am

Giving Condi Rice the benefit of the doubt when it comes to dealing with Russia (which I don't)....

Without debating whether or not it makes sense to introduce missiles into Eastern Europe at this time for "defensive" purposes (which could be viewed as a provocative act, escalating tensions)....

With a belief that democracy is a good thing (but not the only way to run a stable, safe society, as circumstances present themselves)....

Boy Shrub is off to meet with other world leaders, and is having Putin as a guest at the Bush compound in Maine.

Shrub is a boy off on a trip to do a man's work.


Posted by Walter_E_Wallis
a resident of Midtown
on Jun 6, 2007 at 7:21 am

Yay Stanford? What was Dr. Rice's responsibility for relief to New Orleans? Abso**lutely none. Yet her shopping is highlighted while the Mayor of New Orleans, who spent the night 30 miles outside of town and the governor who failed in her obligation get a bye. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]


Posted by Draw the Line
a resident of Stanford
on Jun 6, 2007 at 7:28 am

Yay, you must work for Barak, who also stated "thousands" died in a tornado a few months ago,since the poster wrote "thousands" of fellow countrymen floating down the river in New Orleans.

Both are, of course, completely false.

Umm,... Where do you pull your figures from?

And, like Walter says, what makes you think ANYBODY was responsible for the breaking of the dyke and the resultant destruction than the people of New Orleans who have voted for the officials who misappropriated the money that was meant to shore up the dyke? Not to mention the people who remained in New Orleans, ignoring the pleas from everyone, including the Prez, to get out of Dodge? And, lastly, not to mention the Mayor of New Orleans who refused to send empty and idle buses through the city to gather everyone up?

Give me a break. What a waste.


Posted by Yah Stanford!
a resident of College Terrace
on Jun 6, 2007 at 9:23 am


This if for normal people who are unsure how many of our fellow countrymen perished in Hurricane Katrina:

"As of May 19, 2006, the confirmed death toll (total of direct and indirect deaths) stood at 1,836, mainly from Louisiana (1,577) and Mississippi (238). However, 705 people remain categorized as missing in Louisiana, and many of the deaths are indirect, but it is almost impossible to determine the exact cause of some of the fatalities."


Posted by Yay Stanford!
a resident of College Terrace
on Jun 6, 2007 at 9:59 am

[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]


Posted by Draw the Line
a resident of Stanford
on Jun 6, 2007 at 11:53 am

A lesson in careful reading "total direct and INDIRECT deaths" is like saying "total deaths and CASUALTIES". This is NOT thousands floating down the river. They are STILL counting "deaths from Katrina" as those who die TODAY for any reason that MAY be attributable to "Katrina".

Gosh, maybe I should blame the city I was born into for causing my headaches today because it was polluted.


Posted by Yay Stanford!
a resident of College Terrace
on Jun 6, 2007 at 12:01 pm

[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]


Don't miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to be notified of new comments on this topic.

Email:


Post a comment

Sorry, but further commenting on this topic has been closed.

Stay informed.

Get the day's top headlines from Palo Alto Online sent to your inbox in the Express newsletter.

Worried about the cost of climate change? Here is some hope.
By Sherry Listgarten | 21 comments | 3,173 views

Two Hours - 75,000 Meals – Wanna Help?
By Laura Stec | 0 comments | 1,560 views

 

Sign-up now for 5K Run/Walk, 10k Run, Half Marathon

The 39th annual Moonlight Run and Walk is Friday evening, September 29. Join us under the light of the full Harvest Moon on a 5K walk, 5K run, 10K run or half marathon. Complete your race in person or virtually. Proceeds from the race go to the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund, benefiting local nonprofits that serve families and children in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.

REGISTER