Bush & Putin Meet Today In Maine
The mighty champion of true democracy, the last bastion of freedom in the world, putting the “U” back in “USSR” is meeting today with President Bush in Maine. The meeting with one of precious few world leaders shorter than Bush, judging from the picture in that first article, may be cut short because the Secret Service doesn’t want Bush exposed to, uh, too much democracy, or so I hear.
Buoyed by a strong economy, Putin has become more assertive on the international stage. At home, he’s stoked nationalism, encouraging Russians who want their country to be viewed with respect — as a powerful player, not a world power wannabe. In short, Putin feels he’s gotten the brush-off from Bush.
And who doesn’t want that? The good old days back again, Cuban missiles, nuclear standoffs, ah. “Putingrad” does have a nice ring to it, don’t you think. And it’s just bursting with Russian pride.
Putin has repeatedly rejected U.S. assurances that the planned missile defense installations pose no danger to Russia and are meant to counter a potential threat from other nations, such as Iran.
“We know that Iran is not a threat,” Peskov said. “If radar will not have any missiles to track from the Iranian parts, then the job of radar will be inevitably to work against Russian military infrastructure. And this is a problem for us. This is a threat for our security.”
I feel safe now! Iran’s not a threat, see, even a spokesman for a neo-Stalinist leader of a country that is still recovering from an era of communism says so! And really, come on, he has a point. Ahmedinejad only wants nuclear facilities for peaceful purposes and to give Israel a nice seaside vacation, it was all mistranslated! Just because he’s an extremist Muslim doesn’t mean he’s not a nice guy.
Over Sunday night’s meal, there was “family style dialogue” about coming elections in both countries. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any tense discussions.
“Definitely not,” Peskov said. “We could not have predicted the warmness and hospitality from President Bush. The Russian president was very much satisfied with that.
How very nice, a warm reception and a “family style” discussion. And there were also a bunch of people protesting Bush. Putin seems to be a better guy to protest to me if you’re talking human rights, but they do live in Maine after all.
UPDATE: They keep changing the article, excerpts may not be found in article.
July 2, 2007 at 11:15 pm
good piece….the world did seem safer during the cold war. You just had to believe nobody would pull the trigger…now we are one bullet away (musharraf)
July 3, 2007 at 12:36 am
not arguing with general line of your thinking i ma just wondering :do not you think that success of this Putin was in large secured by American policy toward Russia during 90( or rather lack of any coherent policy) In the early 90s late 80s perception of US was very favorable in Russia until “Gore/ Chernomirdin” commission under supervision of Al Gore started pump blindly money into Russian economy ( read mafia) , until US bombed Belgrade and choose to support every single anti Russian move of former Russian satellites.
The public perception of Russia driven by “experts” and ignorant US media was grossly humiliating toward Russians and was basing on the amazingly stupid and obviously wrong perception that Russians are finished.
so , would you agree that USA today , in part ,is paying the price for neglecting Russia during the 90s?
July 3, 2007 at 1:59 am
Now I’m no Russian analytical expert and frankly I havent done enough homework to completely follow what you just said, but I get the gist of it. Russia was never really friendly with the US in the last half century, merely passable at times. I do not like to blame the US for undermining it and, really, after decades of oppression, who could blame the former Soviet republics from wanting to get back at Serbia and Russia?
PS I I’ve looked at your blog, and, if you don’t mind, would like to add it to my blogroll. Some interesting stuff. If you would be so kind as to return the favor, you won’t see me complaining.
July 3, 2007 at 3:10 am
to mdvps. “
This is not true actually , I grew up in USSR and I can assure that in 80s reputation of west and USA was very high and feeling toward west and USA were very sincere among former USSR and Russia. It was until us started to push Russians around with NATO and and other things i wrote about
“I do not like to blame the US for undermining it”
It is not like I am blaming USA. I just want that we will learn from mistakes and I think neglecting Russia after collapse of USSR was a mistake equal and similar to neglecting Afghanistan after kicking soviets out of Afghanistan. In one case we got Taliban and bin laden as liability for neglect in another we got Mr. Putin who is essentially Russian Taliban
“and, really, after decades of oppression, who could blame the former Soviet republics from wanting to get back at Serbia and Russia?”
With all due respect I think it is bit oversimplification. From the USSR history we know the role of Latvians Georgians and other nationals. Dzerzhinsky creator of future KGB was a polish guy, so Russians can send a bill to other former Russian empire and USSR nations as well
Thank you for adding my blog , it is an honor although, I do not consider myself a bloger and not sure will post regularly but your blog is a cool one in my view and it is in my blogroll for a few days already so we are linked now:)