DLA For Sunday 120411

Someone finally taking Russia serious.

Hey folks,

I just got done talking about Russia. I have been telling you for years now that Russia, Putin in particular, needs to be closely watched. Putin wants the good old days of the USSR back. He wants a new Cold War with America.

Now I'm not going to rehash all the things we have been talking about over the years, but it is crystal clear what Putin's intentions are, for anyone paying attention. We also know that Russia IS working WITH Iran on THEIR Nuclear quest.

So Obama names Michael McFaul, a Senior Adviser to Obama on Russia, to be the new Russian Ambassador. Knowing the Obama and Crews willingness to "Compromise" and "Work With" those that have little to no interest in our well being, our Display of Logic Award Winner is standing in the way. He wants assurances first.

According to 77 WABC Radio News / AP - US lawmaker blocking Obama's pick for Russia envoy Dec. 2, 2011 4:42 AM ET By DESMOND BUTLERDESMOND BUTLER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Republican senator is blocking President Barack Obama's nominee to become ambassador to Russia over suspicions the U.S. might provide Moscow with sensitive missile defense information.

The administration says it has no plans to provide such data. But it says the assurances sought by Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., are so broad, they would prevent any substantial cooperation on missile defense.

The dispute with Kirk further complicates the Obama administration's efforts to get U.S.-Russian relations back on track at a time of increased tensions over missile defense.

It also has political overtones ahead of next year's elections. The White House considers improved relations with Russia, including the signing of a major arms reduction treaty, to be one of the big foreign policy successes of Obama's presidency. Republicans have accused Obama of granting too many concessions to Russia and getting little in return.

Again, I do not want to rehash all this, but you know as well as I that Putin doesn't care about us. Oh, he will sign an agreement to reduce Nukes if he is sure we WILL. And with Obama, he is pretty sure we WILL. But, uh, how do we know if they do? You get the point.

Kirk is holding up the nomination of Michael McFaul, a senior adviser to Obama on Russia. In an interview with The Associated Press, Kirk said he wants written assurances that the United States will not provide Russia with any currently classified information on the missile defense system.

Kirk said he is particularly concerned that the administration could offer Russia data on the speed of interceptors planned for Europe in order to ease Russian fears that the system could knock out Russian ballistic missiles.

He said he also is concerned about Russia's "record of espionage and cooperation and dialogue with Iran." He said precise data on the interceptor speeds could help Iran evade the U.S. defenses. The U.S. insists its missile interceptors are aimed at countering a threat from Iran.

{Laughing} So he doesn't trust them because of their recent historical FACTS. Their own actions. We already know that they ARE doing these things. The sad thing is, we also know Obama. We know his willingness to throw American Security under the bus for his own Political Gain. Sen. Mark Kirk is showing Logic, and intelligence, to seek assurances that we will not simply lay down for Russia in the hopes that they will follow. Obama and Crew do not say they will NOT do these things. They admit EVERYTHING is on the table.

The administration says that while it is not considering such an offer, it does not want to limit its options by ruling out any exchange of sensitive information they say would be essential for any substantial missile defense cooperation.

"In the future, some classified information exchange may benefit the United States," White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said in a statement.

U.S. missile defense plans in Europe have been one of the touchiest subjects in U.S.-Russian relations going back to the administration of Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush.

One of Obama's earliest moves to ease tensions was the administration's 2009 announcement that it would revamp Bush's plan to emphasize shorter-range interceptors. Russia initially welcomed that move, but has more recently suggested that the new interceptors could threaten its missiles as the U.S. interceptors are upgraded.

U.S. talks with Russia over missile defense cooperation have nearly broken down. Russia recently threatened to target missiles at the U.S. missile defense systems in Europe and just commissioned a radar in Kaliningrad, near the Polish border, capable of monitoring missile launches from Europe and the North Atlantic.

So why do we trust them? It's like watching an old Western. You got two guys standing there with Guns drawn. The Bad Guy says he will drop his if the Good Guy does first. The Good guy drops his, BANG! "Hey you already knew I'm the Bad Guy."

Congratulations Sen. Mark Kirk. You ARE the Winner of the Display of Logic Award for today, Sunday December 4th 2011. For showing that you can observe Reality, apply Thought and Logic to what you Observe, and the fact you are willing to ask for assurances, THANK YOU. There is Hope that we may be able to turn this mess around in 2012. We just need more of the Right People in the Right Places. Obama and Crew are NOT the Right People.
Peter

Sources:
77 WABC Radio News / AP - US lawmaker blocking Obama's pick for Russia envoy