It's time for Russia to choose our side in the Great Game

Russia must pay a high price for its treachery.

We may void the agreement to reduce our nuclear arsenal.

We ought to discontinue all Nunn-Lugar assistance.

We should exclude Russia from any part in post-war Iraq.

We should erase the slate of Iraqi indebtedness vis a vis Russia and all others who obstructed our liberation campaign.

We should examine closely and publicly Russian arms aid to Syria, Iran and China.

We should insist on transparency in Russia's arms deals, and withhold any cooperation pending same.

Putin is soulless, hence anything Bush saw in his eyes was a projection.

Russia is old wine in new skins labelled "not your father's communism".

Bush's remark that he "trusts" Putin ought to be viewed in light of the late Dr. Fred Schwarz' remark, "you can trust the communists--to be communist".

Putin has demonstrated that the "post-Soviet" Russia is treacherous, sympathetic to bestial tyrants, antithetical to American and United Kingdom interests.

In other words, virtually indistinguishable from Soviet Russia.

Putin is soulless, hence anything Bush saw in his eyes was a projection.

Just wanted to 2nd your statement. I found Putin to be strange to begin with because his facial expressions didn't seem to change. That has always bothered me along with the fact I just flat out didn't trust someone from the KGB to run Russia and be above board.

But then I don't think the Russians would have ended the Cold War except President Reagan bankrupted the Country.

I gave the Russians too much credit in the past. I honestly they thought they were a lot shrewder than to align themselves with a bunch of losers like France and Germany.

Alas, so did I. I've even taken up for the Russkies on some threads but recent actions and some FReepers obviously more astute than myself have convinced me nothing has changed from the U.S.S.R. days -- except they don't have the financial strength to be MAJOR pains in the ass.

But we're determined to help them get on their financial feets. I pray GW has seen that he too was fooled. Giving an enemy a helping hand when they admit defeat and promise to reform is one thing. Giving an enemy a helping hand when all they're doing is plotting against us with other enemies -- France in particular -- is foolish as hell.

What's the answer? I ain't got a clue . . . but those who stab us in the back can't be rewarded. We've learned appeasing dictators isn't the way to go. Appeasing enemies dressed as allies is by far a more serious mistake.

France, Germany, Belgium, and Russia must be held accountable for their recent maneuvers. ChIRAQ and de Villepin need a swift kick in the balls. Germany will be okay once Schroeder is history. Belgium is a pimple on a rhino's ass and they can be ignored. Russia is the wild card . . . all I know is American tax-payer greenbacks shouldn't be used to prop up their economy and Vladimir Putin.

Russia will still play the curve for a while....watch what happens concerning the competition/war that is ongoing concerning benchmark...that being the U.S. Dollar and the Euro.

Russia is making money hand over fist while the price of oil is high...however in periodicals from Russia that cross my path,the analysis that Russia is nealy maxed out on oil sales...the market is not growing...soon the price of oil/gas will be lowered.
Russia was encouraged into the Euro gas/oil market by the world banking community..and yes the U.S..
So Russia departed from weapons sales..went for dress suits..and began to pull itself out of the rubble of the past.
The reality is not lost on Putin..who is a top shelf economist..placing smart people in critical positions of economic power.

Russia lost enormous wealth opportunity via the oilfields of Iraq....not a topic which finds large bold print..but the principle organisers of the U.N. sanctions on Iraq were an oil consortium from the west and England...including Dutch Shell.
The sanctions blocked Russia and France from expanding present oilfields..and developing new ones via contract.
The game was set in play more dramatically when the U.N. gave permission to the Russians to develop some fields under U.N. oil for food program control.
Several Russian firms moved rigs and infostructure to Iraq for this...now it is all lost...the workers sent home...and again..more fiscal loss to Russia.

Is Russian fiscal interested pissed off?....you bet.

Like chess ...Russia will pause some before making the next move.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.