[TChris]

I personally would like to see our policy changed back, to where firms like IBM are once again restricted by law from providing technology to potential adversaries, and fined heavily when they do it.

Potential adversaries? Who isn't a potential adversary?

It's not as if IBM were giving nuclear secrets or cutting-edge decryption technology to Russia. This is basic Operating System, Web Server and Database technology. It's busieness software. Do you really think the basic building blocks for good business software are a national security threat to the US?

I see it as the exact opposite. A stronger Russian economy, while headed in the direction of democracy and away from communism, is a very Good Thing for national security! If we can help them succeed as a democratic nation, we have about as much to fear from Russia as we do from Germany.

There is nothing at all to worry about.

[Golden Eagle]

Who isn't a potential adversary?

Obviously our allies. They don't have nuclear missles pointed at us. Potential adversaries do, and present a serious threat.

A stronger Russian economy, while headed in the direction of democracy and away from communism, is a very Good Thing for national security! If we can help them succeed as a democratic nation, we have about as much to fear from Russia as we do from Germany.

If? All the reports I see say they're moving back away from Democracy. Putin was elected? When is the next election then? Is not pointing their nuclear missles at us going to be on that ballot?

Reagan choked them off, which is my position. Leave them on their knees, and have them accept capitalism fully on their own, simply because they have no other choice. Then you SELL them products, not give them to them for free.