[pawdoggie]

Pat tends to forget inconvenient facts, like the fact that we financed the Soviet redeployment out of Western Europe, and the additional tens of billions in loan guarantees to keep the Russians afloat financially. What kind of return have we gotten on our investment in the Russsian "democratic" experiment? Try a crackdown on free enterprise and dissent by KGB Agent Putin, Russian weapons sales to countries that were overtly or covertly fighting us (Iraq, Iran, Syria), zero pressure on the North Koreans to end their nuclear program or missile sales, Russian failure to "close ranks" on sanctions against Iran if they don't end their nuclear enrichment.

What do we have to gain from "antagonizing" Putin? The better question is: "what have we got to lose"?

[ClaireSolt]

That stunt Putin pulled when he turned of the gas sent a shock round the world.

[MJY1288]

Great Post

[KoRn]

"What do we have to gain from "antagonizing" Putin? The better question is: "what have we got to lose"?"

Thats right! To put it in a way people in DC will never do. Russia is now a 3rd rate power, time to push them around. If they don't like it, then who cares.

[Drammach]

What do we have to gain from "antagonizing" Putin? The better question is: "what have we got to lose"?

Well said and right on target..

At least Cheney, unlike our spineless congress, has the backbone to point out Putin's move toward fascism..
Of course, I have always suspected the so-called fall of the USSR was a gigantic hoax, a ruse, to put america at ease..
Not that I was ever sure of it, but it was always there, in the back of my mind..
Eastern europe is still struggling economically, and is highly vulnerable to communist takeover under the right circumstances..
In the meantime, Socialism/communism is taking root in South america, Central america, Mexico..

Once the dominoes are all in place, what's to stop a return of the old USSR??