Reuters: Raid Ends Moscow Theater Siege, 67 Hostages Die (Great quote inside)

Reuters ^ | Oct 26, 2002 | Elizabeth Piper

[mikegi]

But one bystander, Igor Konstantinov, in his 60s, was in no doubt about what he thought.

"Putin has only one choice. (U.S. President George W.) Bush showed the world what to do with these bastards after September 11. It's Putin's turn to liquidate them in Russia."

[AdvisorB]

Thank you, Leni. The kind remarks were much appreciated.

[Savage Beast]

Yes. Russia is underpopulated and has a shrinking population that must protect vast natural and strategic resources. Americans are their logical allies. The only thing likely to sabotage an alliance would be the suicidal decadence of American "Liberalism". The catalyst of radical Islam, one might hope, may cause America to swing away from this "Liberalism" and toward sanity. If so, one can be cautiously optimistic about the future of the world.

[Savage Beast]

I know what you mean, Trick. The world is so beautiful and so full wonderful things; why would anyone ever want to thing of anything such as that? Only, perhaps, as a reminder that if we must deal with horrible things, we can and we will. If we must confront evil, we will; we will not shrink from the confrontation. And there is joy in reflecting on our strength.

[SauronOfMordor]

A powerful alliance between North America and Russia would be impregnable.

Science-fiction writer Jerry Pournelle has a set of stories set in a future where the United States and Russia decide to join together and jointly rule the world

[Savage Beast]

I can just imagine it. Skiing in Siberia! Natalie Wood look-alikes on American beaches! Caviar tastings--Ogeechee River or Caspian Sea? Kossack dancing (I might have to do a few leg workouts first)!

We may even decide to save decadent old eurosclerotic (thank you, Smorch) Europe from itself.

And once we're going strong, India and China will join the party.

As for the Islamic theocracies--they can wither on the vine or blow themselves up or do the shariah or whatever. Who cares?