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Czech thumbs up for US liberators, thumbs down for US radar
By Katerina Zachovalova May 6, 2007, 14:14 GMT
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Older Talkback
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I can't even think of a reason we need to do it. Why should we defend Europe if they do not wish to be defended?
That old czech man is right.
The last years , it became obvious that the majority among americans have a pretty naive point of view on the definition of who a friend is and who not.
It seems they believe that constant nodding and agreeing even if one firmly believes that the other is doing absolutely wrong is the definition of friendship. Thats a wrong kind of friendship.
Or that 'they owe us something' position.
To participate or agree with something although you see it as terribly wrong , just because you owe something, is plainly stupid and wrong.
Nobody needs a friend who does so.
A friend warns you when he thinks you're about to make a mistake.
You could almost assume that the USA thinks everyone who does not say they hate them is automatically a friend. Like they thought Russia is now their friend after the dismantling of the SU. *lol*
Especially this naivity already lead to quite some amount of questionable 'friendships' with people like Saddam Hussein or countries like Pakistan ,Egypt ,Saudi Arabia and Iraq (during the 70's and 80's).
Pakistan is ruled by a dictator who brought himself into power in a military coup. Bush calls Musharraf an ally in the war on terror. True. He opposes the radical islamists in Pakistan but he is nonetheless a dictator who gives a damn on human rights and democracy and is a cold blooded murderer by the way.
Egypt was the home of the heads of the 9/11 hijackers. Has a fake democracy with manipulated votes and secretly (not so secretly when you watch some egypt tv channels) supports terror organisations like Hezbollah while it claims to fight against terror alongside the usa at the same time.
Saudi Arabia likes u.s dollars and weapons. Dont expect that there is anything else.
But well, lets hope that America will get happy with their new friends. ;)
'Freedom does come at a cost. 'If you are not willing to fight for freedom you don't deserve it,' he says. '
I can't speak to the old man, but we can speak for ourselves. The best, for everyone, is to take a proactive roll in their defense, to the limitations that they have. NATO embodies this. It has served the members, not necessarily friends, for six decades.
As Americans, we are fortunate that our allies, not necessarily friends, see it this way, most of the time. It benefits them, and it does benefit us.
Perhaps this is something new for the old man to think about and, by all means, take your time.
I lived in CZ for a while and a lot of people do seem anti-missile shield, but a lot are pro as well. We all know this is about the US and Russia--not some rogue states with missiles that could hardly reach the US. Russia is acting like an increasingly arrogant, aggressive state vis-a-vis its neighbors. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems that Russia wants to put itself back up as a counter to US power. It is already subverting democratic movements in the Georgia and the Ukraine. Is trying to recreate a Belorussian Soviet, and habitually uses natural resources to toy with newly democratic state on its western borders. Russia itself is becoming more autocratic.
If that is the case what is so wrong with the US keeping the balance in its favor. The Czechs had it pretty bad under Soviet occupation. I, along with a lot of Czechs, say put up the shield.
Anti-Missile Defense seems to be a huge political football in the US political arena.
The psychology here is that, if we pursue it, our potential adversary(s) Russia and, maybe, China will get nervous and start an arms race.
The other side thinks that it's prudent to have a limited capability in case of a rogue attack, which is the charter for such a defense. Limited numbers of missiles still do not protect us from a determiined attack by Russia.
Logic dictates that a military has no greater responsibility than protecting large populations from nuclear attack. This being the philosophy, some kind of ABM capability is both rational and prudent.
Luddite liberals seem to wish for us to rely on goodwill. Weakness and aggression go hand in hand to produce conflict. Europe will eventually figure it out.
If Russia (or any other country) wanted to attack the US it can simply load its missiles into some submarines, park a hundred miles off the coast of America and fire them at major US cities.. How will an anti-missile screen in Europe help defend against that ?
SP4 has it wrong as usual.The response of Russia to the installing of missiles would NOT be the beginning of a new weapons race .It is the installing of that shiekd that is starting a new arms race .Of course SP4 is just going along US propaganda .One can easily see how easy he get fooled .It is always the first party that beaks the balance of powers responsible for an arms race .
As a matter of fact the last poster before me has it right .Thay new missile shield is completely useless .But I suppose now everybody agrees that the aeguments stated that the new shield is directed against so called rogue states is just a joke and it's real purpose is to start a new arms race .What can possibly be the benefit of that except to line the pockets of the weapon merchants .
It clearly demonstrates in fact who stands behing the White House and Bush .Need I say more ?
Once Bush pulls out of Iraq (soon) he will need something to keep the arms industry working as they rake in the american taxpayers money - what better than a missile pie in the sky scheme (actually it probably couldn't shoot down pies either)
'It is the installing of that shiekd[sic] that is starting a new arms race .
'tonny from belgium', you incredible moron, if Russia were to launch ICBMs toward the USA would they go over Europe or the north pole?
'Thay[sic] new missile shield is completely useless '
Against Russian ICBMs yes. It is. Therefore the Russians are just throwing their weight around.
'Need I say more ?'
Not unless you want to embarrass yourself further.
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