return to cold war?

[olyclimber]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/11/russian.bomber/index.html

[ZimZam]

A Defense Department weapons system analyst and three Chinese nationals have been arrested and charged in two espionage-related cases, prompting a top Justice Department official Monday to declare Chinese espionage is approaching "Cold War levels."

 

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/02/11/espionage.indictments/index.html

[Hugh Conway]

I thought W saw into his soul?

[builder206]

I thought W saw into his soul?

 

Has he been right about anything?

[Dechristo]

 

Has he been right about anything?

 

That's the question many conservatives are asking about McCain

[ClimbingPanther]

[Crux]

I thought W saw into his soul?

And W said, "Please to meet you, let me introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste, come closer here and let me look at you, see into your soul."

 

[JosephH]

Our carrier groups are being systematically probed by the Chinese, Iranians, and now Russians. You can bet they're sharing intel on all these transactions. Now, I'm a peace-loving guy, but this is getting out of hand - the next time a Chinese sub surfaces inside a carrier group, a Tupolev overflies one under 30k ft, or a speed boat breaches an outer picket I believe we should firmly demonstrate exactly how unacceptable and dangerous we find such provocations. The longer we allow these kinds of probes the weaker we appear.

[Hugh Conway]

I thought W saw into his soul?

And W said, "Please to meet you, let me introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste, come closer here and let me look at you, see into your soul."

 

I'm fairly certain Putin is a dementor - he sucked W's soul right out.

[tvashtarkatena]

We should start a world war so we don't appear so weak.

[KaskadskyjKozak]

 

we should challenge them to a chinup contest. we'll show them!

[JosephH]

It's not a matter of starting a world war - there are very real dangers and threats presented in each and every probe. And neither the Chinese nor the Russians will blink at the loss of a sub or bomber in the midsts of such provocations. There would be a lot of diplomatic hand-wringing, and then the provocations would stop. A clear and public warning from our Navy, the DoD, and the Whitehouse would be in order at this point as well; that way there would be no misunderstanding of the consequences.

[Fairweather]

Our carrier groups are being systematically probed by the Chinese, Iranians, and now Russians. You can bet they're sharing intel on all these transactions. Now, I'm a peace-loving guy, but this is getting out of hand - the next time a Chinese sub surfaces inside a carrier group, a Tupolev overflies one under 30k ft, or a speed boat breaches an outer picket I believe we should firmly demonstrate exactly how unacceptable and dangerous we find such provocations. The longer we allow these kinds of probes the weaker we appear.

 

Maybe if we (Yes, by that I mean George Bush) weren't so busy putting provocative missile batteries in Poland and Czec Republic the Russians wouldn't feel the need to step back up to a war-footing. How's that for role-reversal, J?

[RuMR]

holy shit! is fairyweather actually critizing the bushco?

[KaskadskyjKozak]

holy shit! is fairyweather actually critizing the bushco?

 

both bubba and w have favored NATO expansion - pissing off the Russkies. I just don't understand the point of antagonizing them in this way with an outdated cold-war-based alliance

[Weekend_Climberz]

It's like a Dr. Suess book in more ways than one.

[JosephH]

Fairweather,

 

That's absolutely the reason for the Russian provocation, but the fact remains that carrier groups are the heart of our ability to project power and as such should not be subject to probing of any kind, for any reason. There are many other ways for the Russians to express their displeasure with our policies - this one is inherently dangerous. The US is making a mistake not making it publicly clear such provocations against carrier groups will not be tolerated for any reason.

[tvashtarkatena]

Why should we be entitled or able to project power? And why shouldn't China or Russia check our ability to do so?

 

Last time I checked, an overflight by a friendly country wasn't justification to shoot down the offending aircraft. Come off it. Get real.

[tvashtarkatena]

This is a TU-95, the bomber that did the overflight. I mean, Jebus, it doesn't even have jet engines. I've seen pre-school drawings that look more dangerous. Some threat.

 

[tvashtarkatena]

And, hey Ivan, sorry for noticing, but if you're going to put tales the size of Rhode Island on your bombers, how about bumping up the size of the star a bit?

[tvashtarkatena]

And what's with the "doggie boner" turboprops? Tuck those things back in!

[tvashtarkatena]

I'm surprised this thing isn't sporting big ole spoked landing gear all hanging down punk ass an shit.

[tvashtarkatena]

Whether or not we project power effectively, we sure as hell project better fashion sense.

[JosephH]

Why should we be entitled or able to project power? And why shouldn't China or Russia check our ability to do so?

 

If you have to ask...

 

Last time I checked, an overflight by a friendly country wasn't justification to shoot down the offending aircraft. Come off it. Get real.

 

They aren't a 'friendly country' and overflights under 30k of a carrier group by any military aircraft is an unwise proposition at best. Again, by the very nature of their tiered defenses, breaching them is a risky and unwise provocation.

 

Don't let the Tupolev's looks fool you, they are fast, capable, and act as a weapons platform as well as our B-52s.

[sobo]

I'm surprised this thing isn't sporting big ole spoked landing gear all hanging down punk ass an shit.

 

...with curb feelers, so Ivan doesn't scrub the gangsta whitewalls when he drags up to the club. Yo.