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Missile Defense

Russian military leaders have expressed concern about US plans for a national missile defense system. Will defense technology be limited by possibilities for a strategic imbalance? Is this just SDI all over again?

rshowalter - 12:05pm Jun 16, 2001 EST (#5280 of 5287)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

The history of the Bush family's connection with the NAZIS, especially in light of the fact that George Bush Sr. was appointed and served as a direct of CIA, is also worth considering, it seems to me.

rshowalter - 12:05pm Jun 16, 2001 EST (#5281 of 5287)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

No one doubts that Putin, in his association with the KGB, is associated with some ugly stuff. We can still deal with him, but do not defer to arguments he makes if they are based on too overwhelming a moral superiority. Nor do we defer to his uncollaborated judgement. We expect Putin to be reasonable, and to show reasons and facts, because we know he is no saint, and does not always associate with saints.

It seems to me that Putin can reasonably have similar views, and similar expectations, about the Commander in Chief of the United States, and some of the organizations he represents, as an individual and a political leader.

THAT would be a reasonable basis for much progress, among the imperfect, real human beings who have to find ways to live as best they can.

rshowalter - 12:21pm Jun 16, 2001 EST (#5282 of 5287)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

MD5256 http://forums.nytimes.com/webin/WebX?14@184.fQstaM5SpqH^1340145@.f0ce57b/5607... MD5257 rshowalter 6/16/01 9:45am

Judgement requires care. Perhaps some questions, along lines gisterme and I both like, can be discussed by the national leaders and their associated staffs.

rshowalter - 01:52pm Jun 16, 2001 EST (#5283 of 5287)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Bush Urges Putin to Approve Plans for Missile Shield by FRANK BRUNI http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/16/world/16CND-PREXY.html

Little of substance reported about the meeting -- that could have been worse in terms of protocol -- except that the US will proceed on missile defense, no matter how much Russia or American allies in Europe may object, or express discomfort. That stance puts some qualification on American notions of "consultation" in this area - qualifications that may relate to its usages of the word "trust" -- which may mean little more than "defer to us."

Rhetoric could have been worse - and the results, insofar as they have been reported, are consistent with progress in the future.

Perhaps the pictures are the most eloquent part of the story - - showing Bush in a typically "friendly" awkward-coercive stances, and showing Putin's discomfort and distaste.

rshowalter - 02:09pm Jun 16, 2001 EST (#5284 of 5287)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Politeness and understanding aren't the same. MD5244 lunarchick 6/15/01 8:27pm

Anthony Lewis's A Closed Mind with two comments:
MD5254 rshowalter 6/16/01 8:33am ... MD5255 rshowalter 6/16/01 8:38am

President Bush is quoted as saying:

" "I hope the notion of a unilateral approach died in some people's minds here today ," Mr. Bush said after talking with NATO leaders about his missile defense project. " Unilateralists don't come around the table to listen to others and to share opinion."

Personal Comment: Hitler did just this on a number of occasions - he sat around tables to listen to others and share opinion -and sometimes he could be a very charming, conciliatory listener indeed. And the same can be said of practically any politician who has been successful at all - anytime in the last half century.

Perhaps there will be accomodations and adjustments that show more -- perhaps they are ongoing. But nothing so far shows that Bush is anything but a unilateralist.

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