What is he thinking?????

[chuckakers 426]

Secret letters? Has Obama completely lost his mind? So much for our relationships with Poland and the Czech Republic. What's next? Snubbing Gordon Brown during his first visit with him? Oh wait, he did that earlier today http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1158395/Downing-St-left-embarrassed-President-Obama-scales-meeting-Brown.html.



http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4068869,00.html
Russian President Medvedev has said he's willing to discuss the proposed US missile shield with Washington. But he added that any deal linking those talks with negotiations regarding Iran would not be productive.

Russian President Dimitry Medvedev's comments came in response to a New York Times report that US President Barack Obama had written a secret letter to his Russian counterpart offering to halt the planned missile shield, which would be located mainly in Poland and the Czech Republic, in return for Moscow's help in stopping Iran from developing long-range nuclear weapons.

Chuck Akers
D-10855
Houston, TX

[billvon 3,110]

Wait! The biased evil liberal media is printing secret letters from Obama? They're not protecting him? They can't be blamed for this? I think a few conservative's heads are going to explode . . . .

[chuckakers 426]

Quote

Wait! The biased evil liberal media is printing secret letters from Obama? They're not protecting him? They can't be blamed for this? I think a few conservative's heads are going to explode . . . .

Explode when they think about what he's done here, that is. Trust is about all diplomatic relationships have going for them, and this move will kill that trust on all sides. No country wants to do business with a President that can't be trusted. Not honest business, anyway.

A month +/- in office and already he's showing the rest of the world how he operates.

But hey, it worked in Chicago!

Chuck Akers
D-10855
Houston, TX

[airdvr 210]

Quote

had written a secret letter to his Russian counterpart offering to halt the planned missile shield, which would be located mainly in Poland and the Czech Republic, in return for Moscow's help in stopping Iran from developing long-range nuclear weapons.

I thought that was what a Sec of State was for....silly me. One wonders what love notes have been written to Il or Castro, or Achmadinijad (or however you spell his name).

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[airdvr 210]

Quote

Wait! The biased evil liberal media is printing secret letters from Obama? They're not protecting him? They can't be blamed for this? I think a few conservative's heads are going to explode . . . .

So you admit it's an amateur move?

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[DanG 1]

Do you know anything about diplomacy? What are your credentials, please?

Why exactly is the head of state writing a letter to another head of state diplomatically improper?

- Dan G

[airdvr 210]

Quote

Do you know anything about diplomacy? What are your credentials, please?

Why exactly is the head of state writing a letter to another head of state diplomatically improper?

Willing to bet maybe the heads of...oh...I don't know...maybe Poland and the Czech Republic might be a bit miffed.

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[DanG 1]

Hmm, yeah, maybe.

You're sure, however, that you have the whole story? It's not possible that discussions with them are not ongoing in the background? And your also sure that the Poland missle shield was not just a bargaining chip against Russia the whole time?

You and your cabal here were willing to give GWB a pass on the worst foreign affairs record ever, but you're jumping on Obama because of something printing in the New York Times, a paper that you previously ridiculed as full of lies?

Get your story straight and come back later.

- Dan G

[Ion01 2]

What was he thinking???? Well, he hasn't been thinking for some time now. He said he would take a stand against earmarks yet the supposed "stimulus" was one giant earmark and the day after he said he would take a stand again to reduce our deficit he sign another bill with 8600 earmarks. He passes a stimulas bill as fast as possible because "something has to be done now" and then says things will get worse. Then what was that stimulus bill about? He won't raise taxes now because it will hurt the economy but he plans on raising taxes and is raising taxes on the supposed wealthy, who have to hire people to support thier supposed greed, after admitting it will hurt the economy. Theirs another AIG Bailout....but it was bush's fault?? Have we forgotten that the democrats controlled the senate and house while bush was in office. Have we forgotten that it was the democrats that stop the oversight that others wanted to place on companies like AIG to now point back at those same people and say "why wasn't thier oversight?" And what about all this transparency? How are you being transparent with all these secrets?
And why should I have to be punished for being responsible with my money and those who were irresponsible rewarded?!?!?! Why would I be better off defaulting on my loan so I can get tax dollars to pay for my house? Tax dollars taken from those who have worked hard for what they have and were responsible!
Obama is so concerned about global warming yet he flies across the US to sign his stimulus bill in front of a failing company while critizing other businesses for flying thier jets places. On top of that he has to have the whitehouse at 85 degrees while the rest of us must cut back to save energy. I thought global warming would make it warm enough.
He's going to put science in its "rightful place" yet ignores the 650 scientist who have and continue to speak out against the supposed "concesus" about global warming. They continue to use and support an agency which has be proven to falsify thier data on the warming of the planet twice!
If I keep going my head might explode so I am going to stop thier. And if you don't know what I am talking about please take the time to educate yourself instead of being spoon feed everything and then think it an acceptable excuse to point back at the media because they didn't tell you everything. This is a free country and that means you have the freedom to educate yourself so use it as we may not always have that freedom.

[chuckakers 426]

Quote

Do you know anything about diplomacy? What are your credentials, please?

Why exactly is the head of state writing a letter to another head of state diplomatically improper?

What's with you and your questioning of credentials and knowledge? This is a forum for discussion. Poeple don't have to be experts on the topic they choose to discuss, so get over yourself. Hell, if people needed to be experts before making a comment, this damn forum wouldn't even exist.

And to answer your other question, the "head of state" in question wrote SECRET letters after our nation was already in talks with two very important allies with opposing stated goals. Allies, get it? Allies. That DESTROYS the trust built over a very long time.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist OR diplomat to figure out that's stupid. Unless of course you can shine some of your vast knowledge and credentials on the issue to show me where I'm wrong.

Chuck Akers
D-10855
Houston, TX

[futuredivot 0]

Quote

Wait! The biased evil liberal media is printing secret letters from Obama? They're not protecting him? They can't be blamed for this? I think a few conservative's heads are going to explode . . . .

Wait! Not a friggin word addressing the original post? Don't have a valid response so let's redirect the conversation? I think a few liberal's heads are going to explode trying to blame this lack of diplomacy on anything but a series of bad moves brought on by lack of experience. Hell, next the big BO won't even bother asking appointees if they pay taxes.

You are only as strong as the prey you devour

[DanG 1]

I can't help it.

Quote

It doesn't take a rocket scientist OR diplomat to figure out that's stupid. Unless of course you can shine some of your vast knowledge and credentials on the issue to show me where I'm wrong.

I'm a rocket engineer with a degree in Foreign Affairs. Really.

On the other hand, I never, unlike you, claimed to have vast knowledge. I just like pointing out the hypocrisy of the right wingers here.

- Dan G

[chuckakers 426]

Quote

I can't help it.

Quote

It doesn't take a rocket scientist OR diplomat to figure out that's stupid. Unless of course you can shine some of your vast knowledge and credentials on the issue to show me where I'm wrong.

I'm a rocket engineer with a degree in Foreign Affairs. Really.

On the other hand, I never, unlike you, claimed to have vast knowledge. I just like pointing out the hypocrisy of the right wingers here.

Wow, you really don't discuss the issues, do you?

Chuck Akers
D-10855
Houston, TX

[chuckakers 426]

Quote

Wait! The biased evil liberal media is printing secret letters from Obama? They're not protecting him? They can't be blamed for this? I think a few conservative's heads are going to explode . . . .

Tough to defend him when Medvidev has admitted getting the letters on Russian TV.

Chuck Akers
D-10855
Houston, TX

[TankBuster 0]

Quote

What's with you and your questioning of credentials and knowledge? This is a forum for discussion. Poeple don't have to be experts on the topic they choose to discuss, so get over yourself. Hell, if people needed to be experts before making a comment, this damn forum wouldn't even exist.

Actually, we do need to post credentials. Apparently, though, the only credentials needed for liberals - "I got a degree in TAX EVASION!"

The forecast is mostly sunny with occasional beer.

[DanG 1]

I've tried to discuss the issues with you. You don't listen. Discussion means two sides explaining their respective positions, considering what the other has to say, and responding thoughtfully.

What you do is not discussion.

The issue at hand is whether Obama should have approached Russia with a purported deal regarding the missile defense installations in Poland and support for Iran's nuclear program. If you actually read the articles you linked, or knew anything about the missile shield, you might have a better understanding of what that means. The stated goal of the missile shield has always been to reduce the threat of long range missiles from Middle Eastern states such as Iran. Whether or not that is actually the goal can be disputed. The shield wasn't Obama's idea, and suspect he knows the real purpose of it, namely leverage against Russian influence in the region. By writing a letter (which is obviously inaccurate to characterize as secret, since we're talking about it on a skydiving forum) Obama is just continuing the diplomatic dialogue over this issue that has been going on for years. If you want to argue that he should have continued with low-level, back channel dialogue instead of taking to the highest level, that is a legitimate argument. That he's just a giant fuck-up who doesn't understand the world is not.

There, I've discussed the issue. Please now follow your usual MO and refuse to respond to anything I've said. Make sure, however, to reiterate your ill-informed position ad nauseum until everyone else gives up in frustration.

- Dan G

[downwardspiral 0]

"What I said in the letter was that, obviously, to the extent that we are lessening Iran's commitment to nuclear weapons, then that reduces the pressure for -- or the need for a missile-defense system," he said.


Obama was eluding to the fact that we "wouldn't need it" which is not the same as "wouldn't build it." Medvedev saw through the bullshit and called him on it. Rookie move on Obama's part in my opinion.

www.FourWheelerHB.com

[BDashe 0]

Quote

I can't help it.



I'm a rocket engineer with a degree in Foreign Affairs. Really.

On the other hand, I never, unlike you, claimed to have vast knowledge. I just like pointing out the hypocrisy of the right wingers here.

NNNNNNNNNNEEEEERRRRRRDDDDDDSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So there I was...

Making friends and playing nice since 1983

[billvon 3,110]

>Trust is about all diplomatic relationships have going for them . . .

I should keep a count of the screeching 180's conservatives are doing here.

"Are you an idiot? Do you really want Bush to broadcast his intentions to terrorists? Of COURSE we need to keep some things secret from our enemies."

"Can you believe that bastard Obama is KEEPING SECRETS?"

[jerryzflies 0]

Quote

Quote

Wait! The biased evil liberal media is printing secret letters from Obama? They're not protecting him? They can't be blamed for this? I think a few conservative's heads are going to explode . . . .

Tough to defend him when Medvidev has admitted getting the letters on Russian TV.

Really?

All Things Considered, March 3, 2009 · Both the U.S. and Russia are denying that any secret deal is in the works concerning missile defense and Iran.

The denials follow a front-page story in Tuesday's New York Times reporting that President Obama sent a "secret letter" to Moscow, suggesting he would back off deploying a missile defense system in Eastern Europe if Moscow would help stop Iran from developing its nuclear weapons program.

If you can't fix it with a hammer, the problem's electrical.

[lawrocket 3]

In other news, I understand that Obama is working on a Mars mission to develop a top secret device called the "Illudium PU-36 Explosive Space Modulator." It can blow up the Earth! Which is nice if it obstructs the view of Venus.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[airdvr 210]

Quote

All Things Considered, March 3, 2009 · Both the U.S. and Russia are denying that any secret deal is in the works concerning missile defense and Iran.

The denials follow a front-page story in Tuesday's New York Times reporting that President Obama sent a "secret letter" to Moscow, suggesting he would back off deploying a missile defense system in Eastern Europe if Moscow would help stop Iran from developing its nuclear weapons program.

"What I said in the letter was that, obviously, to the extent that we are lessening Iran's commitment to nuclear weapons, then that reduces the pressure for -- or the need for a missile-defense system," he said.

Guess All Things Considered kinda missed that quote.

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[FallingOsh 0]

Quote

>Trust is about all diplomatic relationships have going for them . . .

I should keep a count of the screeching 180's conservatives are doing here.

"Are you an idiot? Do you really want Bush to broadcast his intentions to terrorists? Of COURSE we need to keep some things secret from our enemies."

"Can you believe that bastard Obama is KEEPING SECRETS?"

Secrets from the enemy and secrets from allies are slightly different.

--------------------------------------------------
Stay positive and love your life.

[tonyhays 86]

Quote

I think a few conservative's heads are going to explode . . . .

Chuck Norris went back in time to stop the JFK assassination. When Oswald fired his gun, Chuck Norris stepped in front of the bullets and deflected them with his beard. JFK's head then exploded in sheer amazement.

“That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”

[BDashe 0]

Quote

Quote

>Trust is about all diplomatic relationships have going for them . . .

I should keep a count of the screeching 180's conservatives are doing here.

"Are you an idiot? Do you really want Bush to broadcast his intentions to terrorists? Of COURSE we need to keep some things secret from our enemies."

"Can you believe that bastard Obama is KEEPING SECRETS?"

Secrets from the enemy and secrets from allies are slightly different.

+1

Don't forget though, liberals have no enemies! Other than the wealthy of course... they can fix any problem with a tax, law, or hug! When faced with a challenge, all you have to do is believe and then... and then... YES YOU CAN!

So there I was...

Making friends and playing nice since 1983