Just a few more thoughts on all this Joe Biden-Russia stuff. For one, I am in complete agreement with Steve LeVine's opinion that Biden's "firm grasp of reality" is pretty much taken out of context in the WSJ headline - he never said that Russia "would bend" to anyone's will, just that they will or won't make choices according to interests. Second, we can't be sure that this was an "intentional" shot across the bow ... the colloquial language Biden was using made this seem like a leaked background interview. Lastly, I think that nobody has been giving attention to all the Russian sabre-rattling right after the U.S.-Russia Summit, which included the Kaliningrad missile threat, driving missile launches on Ukrainian streets, and other hostile gestures. Biden may have been responding to this.
Take a deep breath before reading this, but it appears that the Wall Street Journal editorial board thinks that Biden has "common sense." (!!!) Oh wait, they are comparing him to Cheney.
Take a deep breath before reading this, but it appears that the Wall Street Journal editorial board thinks that Biden has "common sense." (!!!) Oh wait, they are comparing him to Cheney.
Mr. Biden's common sense observations undermine President Obama's rationale for a "reset" with Russia built on arms control and a softening of U.S. support for Eurasia's democracies.
For example, why lock in lower numbers of U.S. nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles such as bombers and missiles in a new arms deal if Russia can't afford to maintain its stockpile of either? Why indulge Russia's illusions about its "privileged interest" in Eastern Europe, by signalling a desire to abandon missile defenses in Poland and the Czech Republic, when as the Vice President notes Moscow's current regime lives "in the past" and dreams of reclaiming the Imperium? And what, precisely, does the U.S. expect to get in return for these concessions to a "withering" partner?
Mr. Biden may not like the comparison. But in his willingness to speak the truth about Russia, Mr. Biden reminds us of Dick Cheney.
Except that part about "Deadeye Dick" Cheney being a pathological liar, I suppose. Or delusional, in his ability to see Kazakhstan as an exemplar of Democracy.
But it appears that around here being an inveterate Russophobe makes up for being a delusional, pathological liar with bad aim with a shotgun.
You've apparently dropped argumentation, and are now down to simple name-calling, rkka. That's your choice, I guess. I hope you'll be happy with it. As for being convincing, or even sounding like you know what's going on... that's a different thing. (Besides having missed the point of the post, it seems.)
Given Cheney's long association with the most aggressive and mendacious elents of American politics, he deserves nothing better. As do those who quote him with any degree of approval.
I often wonder if rkka is the Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde of La Russophobe.
I am having fun watching all this Biden stuff. The grouchy conservatives want to bash him for being undiplomatic ... and the best way the WSJ can do that is by comparing him to the torturing, bribing, autocrat-loving Cheney. I think that's the point of the post.
Just look at how Fox News is trying to tee off on it. I think a long time ago we learned that local politics always trumps foreign policy in the U.S., and that conservatives will attack liberals and vice versa even when they sound just like each other on certain international issues. That's why you see the strongest support from Putin located on both the far right and far left.
Rkka, interestingly, either you now agree with James' post -- he also doesn't like Cheney (who does in the liberal media?) as you maybe didn't notice -- or then you're actually reacting to nothing... Now, let's all be happy, since we all agree Cheney is bad. The only difference is that Biden's remarks are probably right -- though it is hard to see how any policy could be based on them.
James, I tend to agree this is all internal politics. It just seems that internal politics is so emotion-laden in America -- everything is about "saving America from some threat", the stakes are always sky-high, there is always some big monster who will change America into something despicable and who we have to slay, etc. etc. etc. The right wing media is of course inconsistent, and it will play on the idea that, if you agree on Cheney on anything, then you don't have the right to criticize him (or you are a hypocrite if you do). As if both I and Cheney (and Hitler, by the way) couldn't agree that 2+2=4...