Comments on: THE TROIKA OF STUPID

By: Brandon

Brandon — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:00:13 +0000

I pretty much agree with your strategic analysis of ABM systems and firmly supported the cancellation of this unrealistic program. Just a couple of words about your other points. First, I think you sell Poland short. It is one of the world's 20 largest economies. Of course, its economy is much smaller than Russia's is (about one-third the size), because it is a smaller country. That said, Poland is far more integrated into the global economy and attracts far more foreign investment than Russia. Russia's economic growth over the past decade has been sustained almost entirely by exports of natural resources. Second, you kind of seem to be buying into a lot of the rhetoric you accuse your opponents of by admitting that this move is an instance of screwing the Poles and the Czechs. I don't really see it as such (and neither do majorities of the Polish and Czech public). I think we should support and ally with these countries, I just think the ABM system was a strategically stupid way to show this support. Finally, at the risk of sounding ultra-sensitive, I think most Estonians would be surprised to see their country on your list. Moldova is the poorest country in Europe; Estonia has one of the highest standards of living in Europe. Because it is so tiny, can't really throw its weight around in world affairs, but it is far from a lousy place to live.

P.S.: Mr. Maskhadov, what is your evidence that Belarus has a higher standard of living than Poland? Do you include the absence of any kind of political freedom in your quality of life index? Just curious…

By: Prudence

Prudence — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:17:40 +0000

Bummed to see no reference to our imminent demise via the inevitable nuke attack by "Red China". Clearly, the Wingnuts haven't hit 11 yet.

By: waldo

waldo — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:04:11 +0000

The cancellation of the missile program is a monumental achievement by the Obama admin. and was mind-bogglingly underreported. And of course the American electorate, possessing the attention span of a gnat and the comprehension capabilities of a bowl of plastic flowers, blithely ignored the import and ramifications of the decision.
Gobama!

By: Dr. Derty

Dr. Derty — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:33:43 +0000

NPR's reporting can be frustrating at times. I find attempts to seem impartial sometimes affects their reporting for the worse. I don't know why they even bother to bring opposing viewpoints to reports that don't really require a debate.

By: WDK

WDK — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:15:11 +0000

I am north of 55(age not i q)and still find Reagan's politics alive and well. The fact that hope for a return to Reaganomics and militarism endures does not bode well for change.

By: Comrade PhysioProf

Comrade PhysioProf — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:13:41 +0000

Poland is Poland.

Well, Poland does control a major global strategic reserve of Slivovitz.

By: Johnnyboy

Johnnyboy — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:23:09 +0000

And all this time I thought it was spelled "Pollack". Like the artist. Huh.

Agreed, Obama could walk on water, solve global warming, cure AIDS, feed the starving, all the while balancing the budget and the Repugs would still want his head on a spike. They're just wired that way, I guess.

Let's face it, there's so much to fix from the last 8 years. This was an easy fix and slam-dunk decision. F*ck the repugs, when it's their turn they can try to do something about it. Right now we're in charge, so SUCK IT. (Gosh, I wish congress would adopt this attitude.)

By: Desargues

Desargues — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:19:53 +0000

Aslan: they were worth billions — to whom?

By: Aslan Maskhadov

Aslan Maskhadov — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:01:05 +0000

Backing up the author's point though- yeah, the US doesn't give a damn about Poland. Poland, like many other Eastern European countries, had industry worth billions. The US was quite happy to watch Soros and co. buy up these industries for hundreds of millions less than they were worth.