Posted on 07/07/2007 5:31:56 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
MANY Americans probably would be puzzled to learn some congressional Democrats are in the employ of Russian President Vladimir Putin. That's how it looks, anyway, with U.S. politicians erecting obstacles to the Bush administration's plan to put missile defense systems in Eastern Europe.
The Washington Post reports the Senate likely will join the House in reducing funds for construction of 10 interceptor missile sites in Poland and deployment of radar systems in the Czech Republic. Last month, the House cut $40 million from a bill that would've paid for site preparation in Poland.
Senate Democrats said there are technical problems with President Bush's plan, but they also voiced foreign policy concerns — evidence of Putin's influence over Congress. If this keeps up, he may have to register as a lobbyist!
Putin claims Bush's plan would upset strategic balances. That Russia is stung by deploying systems in countries that once belonged to the Soviet bloc was clear in Putin's threat to aim Russian missiles at Western Europe if the plan progresses.
Things are calmer since Putin met Bush in Maine earlier this week. Putin suggested Russia host the missile systems instead of Poland and the Czech Republic, but Bush rightly demurred. The best way to guard against missile attacks from the Middle East is to stick with the original blueprint. One reason is planning already has begun; changing things will force delay. Another reason is Russia. Candidly, few know where it is headed, especially given Putin's lust for restoring to Russia the influence it enjoyed during the Soviet era.
Share technology with Russia, make it a full partner in deterring attacks from Iran or terrorist groups. But don't do it as a substitute for plans already started. Meantime, congressional Democrats should leave foreign policy to Bush and the State Department and remember they work for the American people, not Vladimir Putin.
bump.
So what else is new? Didn't Teddy Kennedy send a note to the KGB, offering to work with them to thwart Ronald Reagan's plans for medium-range missiles in Europe?
The far left Democrat leadership in the Congress is determined to destroy our missile defense system.
Is there any other kind?
Can you please tell me how a missile defense in central europe protects america?
I follow military history, pissing off the russsians for no good reason has me confused.
Can you please tell me how a missile defense in central europe protects america?
I follow military history, pissing off the russsians for no good reason has me confused.
My comment was actually "The far left Democrat leadership in the Congress is determined to destroy our missile defense system"; what you have quoted is from the original Washington Post article. Perhaps you should address your question to someone who posed the point that you questioned? My point was that the Democrats are continuing their mission to defund and destroy our missile defense system, not about its basing.
For what it is worth, however, I am far more interested in its deployment in East Asia than I am about its deployment in Europe. If Russia doesn't like our joint missile defense shield being deployed around Honolulu, Tokyo, and Canberra, then that's Russia's problem.
As to its deployment in eastern Europe, I will say that as far as I am concerned, Russia's objections appear to me to be specious, and if anything, more of an excuse to spend money on its strategic offenses. Our missile defense is not an offensive system, and I am not of a mindset that creating defenses is somehow wrong.
If you see it differently, I am honestly not sure how interested I am in your opinion unless you wish to claim some expertise in the area. Even if you did claim such expertise, if your opinions were along the lines of Cyrus Vance or other leftists, I still probably would not be that interested. I believe that President Reagan was correct to pursue the Star Wars program, and I think that the current incarnation of our developing missile defense program is an excellent idea --- as do many of our most important allies such as Japan and Australia. I do not want to see the Democrats defund and destroy it.
“MANY Americans probably would be puzzled to learn some congressional Democrats are in the employ of Russian President Vladimir Putin. “
Not me. They probably are gettnig checks drawn on the bank of Riyhad too.
The Swimer is probably getting money from Mexico too.
I’m surprised why you publish such miserable scribble!
Any FR can visic:
http://pvo.guns.ru/russia/index.htm
or
http://pvo.guns.ru/russia/index23.htm
both in Russian language..
and to understand Who is Who...
In addition...
End of 1970s..the plans of USA on expansion mid-range ballistic missiles “Pershing-2” in Western Europe have strengthened real value of improvement of AMD-system around Moscow.
In 1984, the works were focused on the decision of a task of an opportunity of interception warheads of missiles with small time of approach. New system got a new antimissile 51T6. It was ABM interceptor missile for space target. Also AMD-system got a new antimissile 53T6.
It was interceptor missile for mid-range missiles.
Heart of system - multifunctional radar-tracking station of the circular review “Don – 2N”, which is intended to supervise air space of Russia from attacks IBR and to supervise space at height up to 40,000 kms. The opportunities of station allow to supervise air space even territories of the East European countries. At detection of the purposes, the station takes it on support, automatically tune off from handicapes and separate the false targets. The station represents the truncated pyramid with length and width - on 100 m, and height - 35 m. On four parties of a pyramid are established of four big AMD-radars with phase grid by a diameter of 16 meters each. In 1994 during joint Russian-American experiment under the code name “Oderax” three metal spheres by a diameter 5,10 and 15 centimeters were thrown out from American space “Shuttle” in open space. Last two American radars have detected. But first, five-centimetric (two inches), the Americans have not found out. Radar “Don – 2N” “has seen” five-centimetric ball on “peak range”.
In according of NATO classification, the station of “Don – 2N” has received the name “ Pill Box “.
The station of “Don – 2N” is similar American “PAR”, which construction was begun in 1969 near to IBM base “Grand-Fox”. “PAR” has come in structure of American ABM-system “Safeguard”, as early warning system. After putting “Safeguard” in mothballs in 1976, the station still was used in other interests.
Because Russia is run by an unrepentant Chekist who gained his position in life from his fellow Russians’ enslavement to the EVIL EMPIRE he loyally served all his life? Just a guess.
You’re absolutely right!
Creating defenses for America is not wrong at all.
I am questioning why we are spending American treasure to defend central europe and from who?
I don't mind sharing anti-missile technology with allies, but let them pay for it.
Japan is contributing $1 billion per year (or so, it's been a while since I looked at the exact figures) to our joint missile defense. This contribution also includes joint research and development, and changing relevant Japanese laws relating to its self-defense. I think it is important that regional allies in the Pacific be able to field this missile defense.
I don't follow eastern Europe much, so I am not really in a position to comment on what the net benefit to the U.S. of providing missile defense is in eastern Europe.
Since I haven't followed closely missile defense deployment in eastern Europe, I don't know who is paying for what; I will make the general observation that given the nature of quid pro quo, it might be difficult to determine what all has been actually staked by various parties.
As I said earlier, my original comment was that I don't want the Democrats to defund and destroy our missile defense efforts.
I think we are in agreement on that point.
I do follow the military situation, and we are on point in the pacific.
Japan is proving to be a valuable and loyal ally.
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