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TAKE THAT RUSSIA Rice signs missile defense deal with Poland

huffingtonpost.com — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her Polish counterpart signed a deal Wednesday to build a U.S. missile defense base in Poland, an agreement that prompted an infuriated Russia to warn of a possible attack against the former Soviet satellite. The deal to install 10 U.S. interceptor missiles just 115 miles from Russia's westernmost frontier al

Who dugg this? Made popular Aug 21, 2008

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  • inactive, on 08/20/2008, -10/+314Boy this Russia situation is really escalating quickly isn't it?
  • JekJob, on 08/20/2008, -5/+218FTA: "When you threaten Poland, you perhaps forget that it is not 1988," Rice said. "It's 2008 and the United States has a ... firm treaty guarantee to defend Poland's territory as if it was the territory of the United States. So it's probably not wise to throw these threats around"

    Oh crap. Poland is part of NATO, so if Russia attacks it, the US is obligated to defend it. Mark my words, this will not end well. Remember the last time somebody invaded Poland? It started WWII.
  • marttub, on 08/20/2008, -10/+163At this rate, Poland is going to party like it's 1939...
  • kp998, on 08/20/2008, -30/+182How stupid can they be, if Russia puts nukes back in Cuba I guess that will be fine, this gets worse by the day.
  • inactive, on 08/20/2008, -29/+178You mean: Boy, the Bush administration is stupidly escalating this Russia situation quickly, isn't it?
  • Mikecoatl, on 08/20/2008, -13/+131Sure is. And barely more than two months before an election. I would say it is also VERY convenient...
  • goshdang, on 08/20/2008, -1/+104And defensive pacts started WWI
  • whatthefu, on 08/20/2008, -6/+105Here is what Gorbachev had to say about the situation in the New York Times: "Indeed, Russia has long been told to simply accept the facts. Here’s the independence of Kosovo for you. Here’s the abrogation of the Antiballistic Missile Treaty, and the American decision to place missile defenses in neighboring countries. Here’s the unending expansion of NATO. All of these moves have been set against the backdrop of sweet talk about partnership. Why would anyone put up with such a charade?"
  • boocowofdeath, on 08/20/2008, -36/+129worst deal ever
  • BohicaTwentyTwo, on 08/20/2008, -29/+116Why is Russia concerned that 10 interceptor missiles will be an effective deterrent against their arsenal of over 400 ICBMs?
  • JekJob, on 08/20/2008, -4/+90And I plus II is III.
  • inactive, on 08/20/2008, -20/+99Why is everyone trying to piss off Russia?
    I'm moving away from Europe now. Australia here I come.
  • kittnerrules, on 08/21/2008, -14/+91buried for a ***** retarded title
  • SpaceDreamer, on 08/20/2008, -9/+73OMG CAPITAL LETTERS
  • sundancekid503, on 08/20/2008, -6/+70I thought Russia would never recover from Rocky IV
  • Say1What, on 08/20/2008, -27/+83It's all good Russia! Just place some missiles in Cuba and Venezuela, so you can protect them from Iran also.
  • georgemason01, on 08/20/2008, -17/+68Bad headline. Incomplete description. Unreliable source.
  • solefald, on 08/21/2008, -19/+66"Take that Russia"? Are you ***** RETARDED???
    Russia will take it all right, and put some nukes in Cuba. What are you gonna say then, OP?
  • ackbz1, on 08/21/2008, -7/+54I mean, if you think about it from Russia's perspective, it seems pretty logical.

    NATO could put those interceptors anywhere in Europe, and yet they choose former Soviet satellites? to hit iranian missiles??? Objectively, it just doesn't add up. You could put them in Israel and it would make way more sense -- defend the Israelis and Europe in one fell swoop. Frankly, if NATO were serious about european missile defense being the only motive, they could have had a much easier time just putting these things in Germany.

    From a technological perspective, it also doesn't make sense. An ICBM is MOST DIFFICULT to hit when it is in space. It is in fact the easiest to take out right after launch - (I learned this from the former director of Lawrence Livermore National Labs while taking a class with him). For those many americans who cannot locate various countries on the map, poland is not close to Iran.

    Putting receptors in former soviet satellite states is DANGEROUSLY provocative. I am a proud american, but I honestly feel the Russians are right on our motives -- what stops 10 from becoming 100? 1000? Receptor technology will get much better and you are building this system right along their borders? Placing Receptors in Poland makes PERFECT sense to shoot down ICBMs launched from Russia, and NO sense for Polish missiles.

    Think of the reverse scenario to the georgia, poland, czech issues: Russians are putting receptors in canada, radar in cuba, and trying to get Mexico to join a soviet bloc... would we not find that extremely alarming?

    The Bush Administration is playing a very dangerous game of brinksmanship, and Dick Cheney is no Dean Acheson. I am ***** scared.

  • goshdang, on 08/20/2008, -3/+47WTF, mate?
  • inactive, on 08/21/2008, -9/+51I just finished watching the CBS and ABC nightly newscasts.
    They each dedicated about 60 seconds to this story, then focused on more retarded ***** like the mortgage crisis or some Special Olympics kid.

    I hate the MSM.
  • shutaro, on 08/20/2008, -3/+44Punch was served.
  • kemp34, on 08/20/2008, -71/+112The Bush Regime does not give a damn about anything but lining their own pockets and saving their own asses. Do you think they would give one whit if their actions led to a few million regular U.S. Joes getting killed? The answer is no. These people are seriously sick in the head and the fact that our leadership has degenerated to where it is, simply points out the decadence of the American Republic as we head into the 21st Century. I am not a Democrat and this is no partisan nonsense. Bush and his ilk do not have the U.S. Constitution or the U.S. people in mind AT ALL when they act. The fact that the anti-American clowns have not been impeached is testament to the utter failure of American civil society and our entire political structure. Good American patriots need to act before irreversible (and potentially deadly) damage is done to our present, our future, and the entire American way of life.
  • MacSuxWindozSux, on 08/20/2008, -16/+56Neo-Conservatives need another cold war so they can justify expanding executive powers, and security forces.

    When the cold war ended they didn't have an enemy to paint the USA as good vs. evil, until the Terrorism got popular after 9/11.

    The idea is to keep things under control but keep people scared, and thus their actions justified.

    That's how Neo-Conservatism works and it's nothing to do with Conservatism, and that's why they are spending and borrowing the economy to the brink of collapse.
  • zyklon, on 08/21/2008, -11/+50Yeah. And hey, while we're at it, let's elect the guy who wants to further anger Russia by tossing it out of the G8, who also happens to be endorsed personally by the worst president ev... what, did I say too much?
  • inactive, on 08/21/2008, -6/+44To be fair, this deal has been a long time in the making; before Russia ever invaded Georgia.

    http://poland.usembassy.gov/missile.html

    "The U.S. and Polish Governments have begun formal negotiations on the proposal. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation, John C. Rood, is leading those negotiations with Poland. Our goal remains to conclude negotiations by the fall of 2007."
  • westerner22, on 08/21/2008, -16/+50Now back to Europe, when you measure all four furthermost points of Europe, and then connect via a cross you will see that the point is right in Warsaw, Poland. So we should avoid the old term Eastern Europe when talking about the old Soviet block. It is central Europe.

    Now, Warsaw is closer to Russian border than we are here. Actually, Russia in 1797 or so split Poland with Austria and Prussia. So till 1918 Poland had no border with Russia. Poles were not allowed to use Polish in schools for 200 years! Only Russian. Like Native Americans till quite recent times who were allowed to speak English only in the boarding schools..

    Than the Soviets. Russian was obligatory since the 5th grade. etc. till Poles helped themselves (Pope, Brzezinski, Carter, Solidarity) and the World. That's why I am enlightened with the language too.

    That's why Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic countries are so horrified by what happened in Georgia. That's why their leaders stood up with Georgians in Tbilisi demonstration that the world does not care to hear about.


  • ninjarabbits, on 08/21/2008, -2/+34Three is a magic number,
    Yes it is, it's a magic number.
  • sushi69, on 08/21/2008, -20/+51dude holy *****... i dont remember asking my government to do this
  • inactive, on 08/21/2008, -0/+30In the day of modern nuclear missile submarines, putting nukes on Cuba makes little difference. Subs are far more stealthy can get closer to the coast and can do it without honking off your neighbors.
  • ChayD, on 08/21/2008, -1/+29But I am le tired...
  • luckless, on 08/21/2008, -0/+27So we're gonna act like another angry 2 year old in the same room?
  • inactive, on 08/21/2008, -8/+35Hey, can we please NOT start up the Cold War again? It was really nice these last almost 20 years without living with the fear that we could all be obliterated by nuclear holocaust at any moment.

    Seriously, WHY ARE THEY DOING THIS? STOP PICKING FIGHTS WITH ***** RUSSIA!!!
  • DearInternets, on 08/20/2008, -2/+28Fire ze missiles!
  • inactive, on 08/21/2008, -9/+35Maybe the 10 could lead to 1,000?
  • MacSuxWindozSux, on 08/20/2008, -14/+40There isn't enough of a difference. It's still a very provocative and threatening move.

    Why?

    Because the American's are building a missile shield to make Russian weapons less effective, all while the threat to Russia from American weapons remains constant.

    From Russia's perspective their one defense is being circumvented, leaving them open to attack.
  • bjornski, on 08/21/2008, -3/+28The cold war made the military-industrial complex more money than you would believe.

    Yes, they want to provoke another cold war. With lots of little proxy wars to burn up the overstock.
  • inactive, on 08/21/2008, -3/+27Why can't we all just get along? :(
  • inactive, on 08/21/2008, -0/+24Well then take a nap... THEN FIRE THE MISSILES!
  • ABadPerson, on 08/20/2008, -3/+27good luck Poland. >_
  • westerner22, on 08/20/2008, -18/+41No, it is NOR cold war again. It is in Poland, a free EU country, not in Poland, part of teh old soviet block.

    Poland has right to be strong.
  • bjornski, on 08/21/2008, -6/+27And we invaded Iraq because of weapons. I mean to depose Saddam. I mean to "liberate" them. It's not about oil. Not at all. We promise.

    You really still believe what the government tells you?
  • Grym11, on 08/21/2008, -3/+24Because getting along doesn't make U.S. arms manufacturers any money. This deal alone will make American defense contractors more than 4 *billion* dollars in U.S. taxpayer money.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/774 ...

    Oh, and it's important to note that this whole thing only hurts Russia *symbolically*--not strategically. The only reason they are upset is because they view nuclear defense initiatives as an escalating, aggressive action. But, strategically, this site in Poland would mean very little against the hundreds of highly-advanced (they can actually making dodging maneuvers mid-flight) ICBMs Russia could launch in the event of a nuclear exchange.

    This whole thing is YET ANOTHER example of how our strategic and geopolitical positions are compromised because of the dysfunctional relationship between industry and policy-makers in Washington.
  • ComradeGoby, on 08/21/2008, -0/+20WWIII:Revenge of the Soviets

  • NerveBand, on 08/21/2008, -9/+29And it makes sense. I mean why wouldn't Russia get defensive? They have every right to be for our stupid ideas to place "defense" missiles in Polish territory.
  • bjornski, on 08/21/2008, -7/+26We have the moral high ground?

    Where have you been for the last 8 years?
  • mkpaa, on 08/21/2008, -10/+28Take what Russia? For what has been told this was against Iran and strictly not against Russia or China.
  • RungeKutta, on 08/21/2008, -0/+17Uhm... what the hell is wrong with you? Are you really that much of a delusional idiot? Surprise attack Russia, for what? Did you just read about the German Blitzkrieg tactics from WW2 and want to give them a shot? Come the ***** on, "our friends in Eastern Europe will act as our shield" - I'm sure they'd love that! What great friends we are! Lets start a fight and then let our "friends" take the beatings.

    Why is it that every time someone suggests an attack lately, they GROSSLY underestimate the enemy. Maybe that's just a common mistake, I don't know. You seem to follow in their footsteps though.
  • inactive, on 08/21/2008, -0/+16Can Hawaii and Alaska come too?
  • AhrenBa, on 08/21/2008, -22/+38WTF are we doing.....are we trying to provoke another war here???
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