[Hermann the Cherusker]

You are enormously naive if you think we don't want to help Russia hold on to Siberia at all costs. You think we really want the Chicoms taking over there? You'd be nuts to hold that position.

[Savage Beast]

You're right, of course, Herm. And Bush is far too intelligent to throw away Siberia in a fit of pique.

Russia's population is decreasing, and Russia is in no position to cause serious trouble.

Chirac is no doubt toying with the idea of a strong France-Germany-Russia alliance, that would give France control of Europe and Siberia and thus make France de facto a superpower. He'll never pull that off.

Meanwhile, Bush has stunned the world with his courage and brilliance.

He will extend the olive branch to America's treacherous, double-dealing allies. He will succeed with Germany and Russia. France will continue to be a problem, but Chirac has proven himself to be no match for Bush, just as France is no match for the United States.

As Bush consolidates his strength in the Middle East, Germany and Russia will move back into solid alliance with the U.S. French influence, the U.N., and Chirac will diminish into irrelevance. This, of course, presupposes more brilliant leadership from George Bush.

You're right. It would be nuts to let Siberia slip away. And Germany and Russia are far too valuable to loose also.