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Obama, Medvedev Strike a Deal
Progress in Russia: President Obama and Dmitry Medvedev have agreed to cut back their stockpiles of nuclear warheads. Medvedev will also allow the United States fly troops and weapons over Russia to Afghanistan—which will help the U.S. forces fighting the Taliban. The talks in Russia have been focused mainly on replacing the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which expires in December. As it stands now, both Russia and the United States are allowed 2,220 warheads, but with new negotiations, that number will likely be lowered to between 1,500 and 1,700. Obama said, "We are confident that we can continue to build off the extraordinary discussions that we had in London, and that on a whole host of issues—including security issues, economic issues, energy issues, environmental issues—that the United States and Russia have more in common than they have differences, and that if we work hard during these next few days, that we can make extraordinary progress that will benefit the people of both countries."
mikefromArlington
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SkillzMilloy
I have to give it to this guy.
We go from not talking to Russia ever and now they are being civilized. Everyone spends money in washington, Bush spent money, Obama spends money, the next GOP guy in office will spend money.
Everyone then complains that the prez is spending money.
So I don't even count the one fault people say he has against him. Well done Bama.
MaliciousDisorder
Don't tell me. He gave away Alaska.
rapierwits
yes, and the Palins too!
spinozareader
Please tell me this was an "As is" deal!
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leperous
Yeah, no doubt. Our 2,200 ~1 megaton bombs will be reduced to only 1,500 ~1 megaton bombs? WOW. No, really, WOW. So amazing. What a massive accomplishment. No, I'm serious, really. It's true, of course, that 1,500 megatons is enough to still destroy the entire world several times over, but hey, let's not think about THAT when we're reducing costly, redundant murder systems. Meanwhile China has about FIFTY nukes and no one's crossed them since the '50's. Why can't America & Russia each go down to a very easily guardable 50 to 200 nukes?
rapierwits
good point, but it looks like we're headed in that direction.
JohnnyAces
Ahhhh cynicism from the cup-half-empty crowd. Can we not just call this a mini-victory and acknowledge this as a step in the right direction?
spinozareader
Fingers crossed and ever hopeful... :-)
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Centrist
If you are hearing "bird whistles" when Obama speaks you need a better sound system. He has a low resonant voice.
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AiriqS
Good for you, Mr. President
Carole65
Yes, on the surface this is a good thing. However, remember Bush's statement about Putin. I think that Russia is still Russia.
AiriqS
I agree carole,
The devil will be in the details. However as I am usually quick to criticize Mr. Obama, I also wanted to be quick to appreciate a good thing (at least on the surface).
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ConstitutionalRights
The only problem here is that Russia is not destroying the nukes, they are selling them, along with the aging submarines and so forth.
It is a hope, but I'm afraid it is just with a prayer.
jerryf
Constitutioanrights ---
Are you just being 'cute', or have you a referance?
S-von-K
SPELLING ERROR in headline:
It's not "Medvev"...It's "Medvedev" guys!
SvK
spinozareader
SvK
Thanks. For a brief moment, I really thought that President Obama had struck some sort of "deal" with the archly-conservative Michael Medved?? Really, it puzzled me as a headline.
JoeWindoes
Aweome. The important thing is that we have someone who is being heard and is listening as a leader. We still have all our might but the ship of diplomacy is sailing again. This is what Reagan did and was genius. Now Obama does it and (R)s call him naive. Such a double standard. Im afraid some people are going to fault him no matter what, but personally, I have never been more proud of our leadership and regardless of what anyone says....I trust the President. 100% with our money, our security, and our future. That is a new feeling for me.
spinozareader
For me, too.
And a feeling I've been absent for a good long time until recently.
melpol
Every person,government,and nation needs to be defended against anti-American madmen. The
only way to do this is to arm friendly governments with planes and tanks. The U.S. should
supply them with enough weapons to guarantee that their leadership will never change. The
visit to Russia will bring a new nation into the American protectorate. Today Russia,
tommorow a world of friendly governments.
sparky13
You mean like arming The Muzhadene (sp) in Iraq ? Or the Hondurans, or The Nicaraguans, or Egypt, or Columbia ? etc.
MadMatt35F
This is a positive step for US-Russian relations, although it is trivial considering the massive amount that each country will still have. Now if we could just get them to stop building the Iranian nuclear program and help us out by putting real pressure on North Korea we would be doing good.
I just wonder what kept them from fighting us about the missile defense shield, and don't say it was the POTUS unless you can back it up with some substance. Russia knows the Missile Defense is a major bargaining chip of theirs. Maybe they are saving it for something better.
sparky13
I'll trade them my ex-wife's old panties and bra set !
sparky13
I'll trade 'em my ex-wife's old panties & bra set !
ChanRobt
Since a lot of our stockpile (and presumably theirs) no longer work (they're high maintenance to keep armed) this may not be any big sacrifice for either side.
spinozareader
True enough.
Though the actual sacrifices, at this point, may be negligible. I do think there's some value to the symbolic "sacrifice." I'm guardedly optimistic. It's about the best feeling I could muster here.
rapierwits
yeah, it's a total gain for both since we won't have to pay to maintain them!
mikefromArlington
Palin watched the entire meeting from her balcony
spinozareader
snaps!
Thank you.
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