Sue:

I get your point about the Russians wanting dignity. I assume you are making the analogy about the Germans after WWI... where they were humiliated at the treaty in Paris. Subsequently, Hitler rubbed the noses of the French in the same Paris railcar where he dictated terms... before we finally kicked his backside with the help of our allies... including the enigmatic and often uncooperative Soviets led by Stalin.

I'm all for giving everyone... man, woman, child and country dignity... if they are due that precious commodity. Mr. Ex-KGB Putin has made it rather difficult for us to extend dignity and friendship to the Russian People. Crime is high there, some say worse than our situation but I'm no authority. At least we have enjoyed a degree of space cooperation. He never seems to deal from the bottom of the deck and apparently does not think highly of Obama. (I don't think he and George Bush II shared much real camaraderie either.)

How would you solve this dignity situation? Is there a simple solution our country and the West have ignored in our relationship with them? Remember, as the Soviet Union, they were guilty of stealing many U.S. secrets and innovations. Trust and respect must be developed over time. Let us hope that this will eventually happen where both parties receive respect, dignity and most of all...fair trade.

In hindsight, was it a mistake for us to arm the Afghan Warlords with Stinger Missiles to even the playing field when the Russians had invaded Afghanistan? If we had given the Soviets "free reign" against the Taliban and Al Queda, perhaps 9/11 may not have happened? Who knows? Presumably, only time will tell.

Thanks for your insight.

Last edited by Dave Rice; 03/09/14 03:45 AM.