Political Punch

Jake, "the Czech Republican"? Seriously, everyone knows it's better to be friendly to Russia rather than reigniting the Cold War (or worse) ala Condolezza's staggering lack of diplomacy. "Mutual acceptability" is the best answer, Mr. Obama. JMHO.

If this is the end of this nation as we know it. Then I say BRING IT ON! This nation was taken from the Indians, Built by slaves. The Same Euporeans who came here to escape tyranny could not. They built this country with the same princples they ran from. Using different words with the same method. it's no wonder America needs sheilds!

One more thought on Pakistan, like the presumed Iran scenario, we may be wary of Israel being the target.

But why wouldn't Israel already be in pre-emptive mode against a Muslim nuclear power? 1) again India - no one supposes a rational Pakistan would multiply enemies and encourage alliance between the 2 I's. 2)again distance and accuracy. If at limit of Pakistan's capabilities, probability of hitting Damascus instead of Tel Aviv?

Lets hope barrack will send someone with knowledge instead of doing the talk himself for the sake of our country.

Perhaps it may be that protection against a rogue Pakistan would be another "unspoken" need for missile defense, but it would only be secondary as such an event would not necessary mean an immediate threat.

1) It would not be a slam-dunk for an Islamist revolution to take the nukes or their launch system intact unless Pakistan's military is totally compromised into inaction. I assumed they have some redundant launch codes and keys.

2) Second, targeting is presumably directed now at India. Launching or even redirecting missiles in another direction would to that degree make it more vulnerable to India!!!

3) Pakistan's missiles I assume are designed for distance and accuracy to major targets in India. Pakistan is 1000s of miles more distant than Iran from Europe.

It is ironic that the missile defense shield to protect the West from Iran is nothing but deceit when in fact it is the threat of 'instability of Pakistan's nuclear warheads' being in the hands of terrorist. The neo-conservatives headed by the Bush Administration are reigniting the 'cold war' rhetoric and spending billions of taxpayers dollars on a wasted 'dream.' It has angered Russia to be adamant in it's opposition and will only fuel more animosity. Furthermore, some of these bloggers on this web page are totally ignorant on what the United States real intentions are in building a missile defense system and intimidating our former adversary. Of course, like the 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' we see a similar episode unfolding but even more potent.

Hope that Preident-Elect Obama will use diplomacy, thoughtfulness and negotiation in our foreign policy. We have payed dearly for our freedom but other countries that can afford to pay up must. The U.S. cannot go on being the bottomless pit of endless spending on defense. We need to rethink our commitment and retool our goals for a peaceful and intelligent world.

So, essentially the Russians already view Obama as a weak, ineffective leader. That should make the next 4 years interesting at least. Which eastern European countries is Obama going to give the Russians for "peace in our time?"

BUSH CANNOT GO FAST ENOUGH----

If we got all bent out of shape and was willing to go to war (Cuban blockage) over Russian installation of missiles in Cuba, why do you think the Russians will react any differently than us when we install missiles in their "Cuba"? Bush's arrogance and bullying tactics just wants to provoke countries like Russia.

I hope that Obama won't drop plans for missile defense shield in Poland and in Czech Republic. The Russians want to test Obama's foreign policy. I hope this will not happen. The plans should go ahead as planned. THANKS

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Both Bush and Rice have admitted that this shield is to protect the EU from potential attacks from Iran.

To all of you who favor our construction of this project, why should we build this missile defense shield system when Europe can do it by itself?

I that Obama won't drop plans for missile defense shield in Poland and in Czech Republic. The Russians want to test Obama's foreign policy. I hope this will not happen. The plans should go as planned. THANKS

The United States must allow Europe to assume the cost, burden and responsibility for looking after its own interests. The neighbouring countries Poland and Czechoslovakia need to bond within that sphere of influence.

Any U.S. military presence there is arrogant, presumptious and aggressively intimidating. Just another bad idea from the Bush administration and the gang from the New American Republic for the Twentieth Century.

WestCoastMessenger: Wow - I'm very impressed - congratulations on your open-mindedness. This is a great country full of good, thoughtful, reasonable people.

You made my day!

Americans are hurt because of the recent economic down turn, and I don't beleive a reasonable American will want the Government to install an untested and expensive missile detection system anywhere in Europe at this time. Of course some disillusional Right wing Republicans, who saw nothing wrong with the approach of George Bush this last eight years, would prefer to have the system installed all over the world, even though it failed to achieve its goal. These Republicans have come to be symbolized by Joe the Plumber, who claimed he was a plumber, appraoching a deal to buy a company that earns over $250,000 making him a target for the Obama's tax plan. As we later find out, those were wishful thinking for a man who during the campaign was forced to epitomize the true American dream by John Mccain and his running mate, Palin. The truth is, if John Mccain has vetted this guy, in a way I would wish that the President elect Obama vets the missile shield to be deployed in Poland, I think he would have detected before raising the name Joe the Plumber in his stump speeches accross the country that Joe the Plumber's story was bogus and that he hardly represent the small business man he crusaded he was fighting for. He was simply a scam. Drawing a lesson from both the mistakes of George Bush and John Mccain, President elect Obama must cautiously approach the missile shield issue in a manner that will fester peace an prosperity around the globe.

This is a confession. Obama has shown pure strength and leadership to date. I truly doubted that he would demonstrate much at all, and that he would be naive and a high risk to America. He's starting to prove me wrong, so I'm willing to completely and fully support Barack Obama. Obama's success is America's success, that's the reason to get behind him. Go Barack Go!!

I hope Obama does rid the missle plans in Poland and the Czec republic. this nothing but nonsense and execuses. We have enough trouble in the world without this going on, c'mon guys quit playing with the worlds lives! It isn't yours to mess around with.

I wonder if the quotes on Medvedev are a translation from Russian or Medvedev speaking English. Whatever the case, he's better understood if you omit the extraneous words. It's rather like trying to understand Gov Palin's syntax and semantics.

if it is she will pass the test

Will Russia be Hillary's first real test as secretary of state? And will Biden's wish come true about a "testing" of Obama by a foreign entity (i.e; Putin)?