Back in the USSR!

[dolfan]

Dolfan said on 7/28:

The rest of this is for younger folks: If you were born after, say, 1972, chances are you have zero appreciation for the historic shadow that Communism cast over the whole world. By the time the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, if you were not about 21 or more, you probably don't remember why it mattered so much. And you probably don't know why it still matters so much. It was the true beginning of a rapid end to Communist Russia.

Well, a rapid slumber. Communist Russia was the biggest threat to the existence of life on Earth. I maintain it still is, with China. It was during most of your childhoods that the USSR dissolved. You were probably taught in school that it was because of Russia's economic woes and an enlightened view of world peace by Mikhail Gorbachev. The fact is that Russia fell because it had a terribly oppressive communist economy, nothing of any importance in world trade except its weapons to other communist nations, and because it lived on intimidation that, over that vast part of Asia and Europe, it was unable to maintain in the face of an America that would not allow itself to be bullied by Russia. We countered oppression with hope, aggression with strength and resolve, and proved that for every nuclear warhead Russia could build and deploy, we could top it. With no economy, no tax base, no real revenue, they went broke and the people saw through that iron curtain and realized that, with America's leadership, there was hope for a better way of living.

Now, Russia is tired of being the stepchild of world affairs. The introduction of limited capitalism has stoked its coffers some, disputes with nations that used to subserve it (such as Georgia) have rankled its feathers, and our own willingness to condemn powers whom Russia finds friendly (such as Islamic radicals in North Ossetia within Russia and Iran without) have got Russia feeling froggy. Enter Chavez and Venezuelan oil with an offer for a military alliance, which is really "we'll trad you oil for military protection from the USA". (Call that "oil for war", if you will.)

Here's why this matters: This is the restart of not just a cold war, but a hot one. With Obama's pledge to slow down development of combat systems and an elimination of existing nuclear ones, he'll be the absolute lapdog of any aggressive nation seeking to enter our hemisphere. We forced Russia down in 1961 with JFK. With Obama in 2009 or 2010, that won't happen. Our national security is at risk, once again, from Russia, and every would be thug of a tyrant in the world is pulling for him to win because they know, to the person, that it means a weaker American presence. Let the French and Germans and Brits even have the opinions they will of us; our protection of ourselves is on the line. They have all yielded to the influx of Muslim Arabs into their nations such that they can't breathe in a way that offends a Muslim for fear of the consequences. We have to fight that, but we have to protect ourselves against Russia, still. Russia, itself, is both victim (Beslan school massacre) and enabler (Beslan school massacre) of Islamic terror. Where it fits its purposes, it will enable. It fits Russia's purposes to weaken us, divide us. Obama will be the patsy for the bin Ladens and the Marxists in Russia and China.

Russia is so very predictable, isn't it? The last week has been an instant replay of the Russia we all grew up and learned to love to hate. (Aside: The Russian people who love their country are right to do so. When I speak of "Russia", I mean the government, not those teeming scores of people who suffer under it daily but who, because it is their land, love their nation in spite of its faults. That's good and right, I suppose.)

And now, they're blaming the Georgia situation on a Cheney-directed conspiracy to help McCain defeat Obama!!!! That's like Kim Jong Il news reports of hitting multiple holes in one for like 800 yards (true N. Korean news story, that). Russian Communists and the Democrat Party (or, as Ted Kennedy called it, "the hope of the world", which bordered on blasphemy IMO): two sleazes as a god. Same playbook. Same agenda.
This, folks, AIN'T your father's Democrat Party; but it is your father's Communist Party that'll convene in Denver in a couple of weeks.

And, in all likelihood, the party of our next president.

[Full Quiver]

And, in all likelihood, the party of our next president.

or first dictator

[paul]

Dolfan said on 7/28:

The rest of this is for younger folks: If you were born after, say, 1972, chances are you have zero appreciation for the historic shadow that Communism cast over the whole world. By the time the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, if you were not about 21 or more, you probably don't remember why it mattered so much. And you probably don't know why it still matters so much. It was the true beginning of a rapid end to Communist Russia.

Well, a rapid slumber. Communist Russia was the biggest threat to the existence of life on Earth. I maintain it still is, with China. It was during most of your childhoods that the USSR dissolved. You were probably taught in school that it was because of Russia's economic woes and an enlightened view of world peace by Mikhail Gorbachev. The fact is that Russia fell because it had a terribly oppressive communist economy, nothing of any importance in world trade except its weapons to other communist nations, and because it lived on intimidation that, over that vast part of Asia and Europe, it was unable to maintain in the face of an America that would not allow itself to be bullied by Russia. We countered oppression with hope, aggression with strength and resolve, and proved that for every nuclear warhead Russia could build and deploy, we could top it. With no economy, no tax base, no real revenue, they went broke and the people saw through that iron curtain and realized that, with America's leadership, there was hope for a better way of living.

Now, Russia is tired of being the stepchild of world affairs. The introduction of limited capitalism has stoked its coffers some, disputes with nations that used to subserve it (such as Georgia) have rankled its feathers, and our own willingness to condemn powers whom Russia finds friendly (such as Islamic radicals in North Ossetia within Russia and Iran without) have got Russia feeling froggy. Enter Chavez and Venezuelan oil with an offer for a military alliance, which is really "we'll trad you oil for military protection from the USA". (Call that "oil for war", if you will.)

Here's why this matters: This is the restart of not just a cold war, but a hot one. With Obama's pledge to slow down development of combat systems and an elimination of existing nuclear ones, he'll be the absolute lapdog of any aggressive nation seeking to enter our hemisphere. We forced Russia down in 1961 with JFK. With Obama in 2009 or 2010, that won't happen. Our national security is at risk, once again, from Russia, and every would be thug of a tyrant in the world is pulling for him to win because they know, to the person, that it means a weaker American presence. Let the French and Germans and Brits even have the opinions they will of us; our protection of ourselves is on the line. They have all yielded to the influx of Muslim Arabs into their nations such that they can't breathe in a way that offends a Muslim for fear of the consequences. We have to fight that, but we have to protect ourselves against Russia, still. Russia, itself, is both victim (Beslan school massacre) and enabler (Beslan school massacre) of Islamic terror. Where it fits its purposes, it will enable. It fits Russia's purposes to weaken us, divide us. Obama will be the patsy for the bin Ladens and the Marxists in Russia and China.

Russia is so very predictable, isn't it? The last week has been an instant replay of the Russia we all grew up and learned to love to hate. (Aside: The Russian people who love their country are right to do so. When I speak of "Russia", I mean the government, not those teeming scores of people who suffer under it daily but who, because it is their land, love their nation in spite of its faults. That's good and right, I suppose.)

And now, they're blaming the Georgia situation on a Cheney-directed conspiracy to help McCain defeat Obama!!!! That's like Kim Jong Il news reports of hitting multiple holes in one for like 800 yards (true N. Korean news story, that). Russian Communists and the Democrat Party (or, as Ted Kennedy called it, "the hope of the world", which bordered on blasphemy IMO): two sleazes as a god. Same playbook. Same agenda.
This, folks, AIN'T your father's Democrat Party; but it is your father's Communist Party that'll convene in Denver in a couple of weeks.

And, in all likelihood, the party of our next president.

The assessment is so vivdly clear. In 1993 my first trip to Russia. I was amazed. The poverty, the treatement of the people as it was told me by many of them. The conditions of the hospitals and orphanages. Workers who worked for the state not being paid for months only given vodka to keep them in a stupper.

I remember some mentioned that when Putin took office he would begin the renewall of the old USSR. He has done that and groomed his successor, but still is in control.

This November's election is so far beyond what we could even imagine if the wrong person get elected.

[Karen]

We are all just observers of things the bible said would come to pass. The "bear" of Daniel, "raised up on one side" had 3 ribs in its mouth.

It is just one part of the overall picture. Many things are taking place.

I am tying a knot in my rope and am going to hang on.

Whatever happens, whenever it happens, our God is able to take care of and provide for his own. We must all be absolutely determined that no matter what, we will hold onto him even if it means our death.

I read a very disturbing article today........

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php? ... geId=72273

A Muslim father cut out his daughter's tongue and lit her on fire upon learning that she had become a Christian.
Her father read her Internet conversation, detached her tongue and burned her to death "following a heated debate on religion," according to an International Christian Concern report.

[dolfan]

Karen, I hadn't read that report yet. It is typical of so many antichrist societies, primarily Muslim ones.

I am concerned for the Ukraine. A missionary I know -- somewhat -- in Moldova still sends me emails although I've had no contact with her otherwise in a few years. Ukrainians are afraid now, and God has saved many people there in the past few years. I think we forgot that, as we once praised God for opening the door to the former Soviet republics, we once knew that the day would likely end. After so many years, after so much work that God has done through missions to those areas, the openness appears in some jeopardy right now. I pray God keeps it open.

[Karen]

Karen, I hadn't read that report yet. It is typical of so many antichrist societies, primarily Muslim ones.

I am concerned for the Ukraine. A missionary I know -- somewhat -- in Moldova still sends me emails although I've had no contact with her otherwise in a few years. Ukrainians are afraid now, and God has saved many people there in the past few years. I think we forgot that, as we once praised God for opening the door to the former Soviet republics, we once knew that the day would likely end. After so many years, after so much work that God has done through missions to those areas, the openness appears in some jeopardy right now. I pray God keeps it open.

Dolfan,

I can certainly understand your concern for the safety your missionary friend, and as always, I pray for people in oppressed socities. I pray for their safety but above all I pray that they are faithful to the end no matter what may happen. God is always able to deliver from trouble, but sometimes the answer is no because it in someway serves his overall plan. We must bear our own cross and be willing. Have you ever heard of "Voice of the Martyers'? I feel it is a work, ministry, that all churches should support. You can do a quick search on the internet and easily find them.

When Russia "fell",I remember prophecy given that it would only be for a short time that the doors to ministry would be open there and that they would then close again. It appears that we are just about at that point. I hope your friend leaves that area sometime soon.

May Yahweh keep her in the palm of his hand, protect her and provide for her and give her wisdom.

Karen

[forestwalker]

Russia is so very predictable, isn't it? The last week has been an instant replay of the Russia we all grew up and learned to love to hate.

Tim,
The first sentence is true (though our leaders have done a poor job of predicting). The second is not. I'd recommend Pat Buchanan's take on the situation.

[dolfan]

Pat Buchanan is a Jew-hater from way back. The guy is a great spokesman on many things, but he's using the Russia-Georgia conflict in the same manner that Russia is using the conflict --- to slap Israel. In Russia's case, that is a means to an end: protect Iran. For Buchanan, it is the point.

The conflict with Georgia is old, old, old. Russia could've picked any other time to do this, but has waited until now and there's at least one reason for it. Iran is one. Oil is another. A third one is to power its way into its old Soviet territory to put NATO at bay. I personally believe that Iran is the key reason for the timing, and the other two are key reasons for the tactic itself.

In that tactical sense, it is old Russia being old Russia. That it is Georgia is just a cover, point to the continuing conflict over South Ossetia, meanwhile zig over toward Ukraine and threaten anyone who would accommodate NATO and missile defense that "this could happen to you". Classic Communist Soviet strategy.

For Buchanan, he is just being gratuitous. Bill Safire said of him that on the antisemitic scale, Hitler was a 10, Farrakhan is a 7 and Buchanan is a 4. Buchanan called the first Gulf War, you know - the one the whole world approved - was engineered by the IDF and its amen corner in the United States. He called Hitler a genius and "an individual of great courage".

When an order of nuns built a convent at Auschwitz in the 1980's, Jews went ballistic, calling it an exploitation and misuse of the sacredness of the place to Jews. Pressure built, and an agreement was reached to move the convent. It was never moved. But, in the wake of the agreement, Cardinal O'Connor of New York spake approvingly. Buchanan lashed out, saying, "If U.S. Jewry takes the clucking appeasement of the Catholic cardinalate as indicative of our submission, it is mistaken. When Cardinal O'Connor of New York seeks to soothe the always irate Elie Wiesel by reassuring him 'there are many Catholics who are anti-Semitic'...he speaks for himself. Be not afraid, Your Eminence; just step aside, there are bishops and priests ready to assume the role of defender of the faith."

Buchanan released a book earlier this year blaming the Allies for Europe's death and destruction, calling WWII "unnecessary" and blamed Britain's defense of France in WWI for creating the Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.

Pat B. says a lot of smart, heady, clever and right things. Anytime he connects it with Israel, you can bet that his goal is to demean the Jews.

[Karen]

Did you hear the news today? I heard that Russia is now threatning Poland because they have just agreed to allow the U.S. to place our missile shield equipment there.

[forestwalker]

Pat Buchanan is a Jew-hater from way back. The guy is a great spokesman on many things, but he's using the Russia-Georgia conflict in the same manner that Russia is using the conflict --- to slap Israel.

What? You're on the verge of crazy-talk, man. Buchanan's goal in this essay, so far as I can tell, is non-interventionism and to point out the very deep hypocrisy and ignorance in US criticism of Russia in this instance. You seem not to have read it but chosen to attempt to poison the well instead.

The conflict with Georgia is old, old, old. Russia could've picked any other time to do this, but has waited until now and there's at least one reason for it. Iran is one. Oil is another. A third one is to power its way into its old Soviet territory to put NATO at bay. I personally believe that Iran is the key reason for the timing, and the other two are key reasons for the tactic itself.

In that tactical sense, it is old Russia being old Russia. That it is Georgia is just a cover, point to the continuing conflict over South Ossetia, meanwhile zig over toward Ukraine and threaten anyone who would accommodate NATO and missile defense that "this could happen to you". Classic Communist Soviet strategy.

Russia didn't pick the time, Saakashvili did. The situation in Georgia was nearly identical to that in Serbia a year ago (foreign peacekeepers guarding a semi-autonomous breakaway region after an extremely nasty ethnic-based civil war). Russia reacted the same way to Georgia sending troops into South Ossetia as NATO would have had Serbia unilaterally sent troops into Kosovo to restore direct control of its province. Their talk of caring about the rights of these people groups to autonomy and control of their own lands is deeply cynical, of course--Chechnya, anyone?--but they're operating under the same moral logic NATO used in Serbia. We've hemmed ourselves in with a very bad precedent there.

I'm not sure what the Israel connection you're suggesting is supposed to be.

I agree that Russia's underlying interest here is to reassert its sphere of influence and to back its neighbors off the idea of joining NATO. It's flexing its muscles, clearly, and signaling that it's going to be more active and overt in resisting our moves to contain it. That they're doing so is more along the lines of, "duh," though, than "the evil Soviets are back."

If Buchanan is an unacceptable source here's a pair of essays making similar criticisms at What's Wrong With the World:

Learned Thoughts on the Russian-Georgian Question

But of Course They Talk That Way...

[dolfan]

I'm not suggesting that Russia and Georgia's battle is a new development. I'm suggesting that Russia is doing it now to protect Iran from Israel. I acknowledge readily that I could be wrong about that. Of course Russia wants these two provinces for itself. This is a timed warning to stay out of Iran, IMO. Israel has had military advisors on the ground in Georgia for some time, and has sold weapons to them. Russia's actions force Israel out of Georgia, and will force them to reconsider or even forego an attack on Iran. Russia has been promising to sell Tehran air defense systems for some time, and it is believed that Russian military advisors have been in Iran for years. Israel announced that it will delay further weapons to Georgia.

Now, as for them using the same moral logic as NATO, I don't see it. First of all, it assumes that communists use moral logic. They don't. They feed on raw power and control and that's it. There's no moral logic to it. Secondly, Russia's unilateral act in Georgia is incomparable to the NATO aid to Kosovo. Russia and Chinia failed to get a UN resolution passed that condemned the NATO attack on Serbia. As soon as the combat stage ended, the UN gladly took over without criticism of NATO and endorsing the outcome. The UN now governs Kosovo, basically. I don't see Russia asking for the UN to come govern Abkhazia and S. Ossetia. The moral equivalence would be if we turned around and invaded Cuba because people from Miami have relatives there and we want to protect them from Communism and mistreatment.

[Full Quiver]

Dolfan, the more I look at this mess I tend to agree with you. It appears that Russia may be linking the mother land to Iran by cutting a convoy lane through the middle of Georgia. We will know for sure if they go on into Armenia. Everyone is talking up the Ukraine possibility but I think this may be an attempt to thwart off a possible Israeli strike that would be supported by the US and Britain and backed up by us if needed.

[Karen]

I'm not suggesting that Russia and Georgia's battle is a new development. I'm suggesting that Russia is doing it now to protect Iran from Israel. I acknowledge readily that I could be wrong about that. Of course Russia wants these two provinces for itself. This is a timed warning to stay out of Iran, IMO. Israel has had military advisors on the ground in Georgia for some time, and has sold weapons to them. Russia's actions force Israel out of Georgia, and will force them to reconsider or even forego an attack on Iran. Russia has been promising to sell Tehran air defense systems for some time, and it is believed that Russian military advisors have been in Iran for years. Israel announced that it will delay further weapons to Georgia.

Now, as for them using the same moral logic as NATO, I don't see it. First of all, it assumes that communists use moral logic. They don't. They feed on raw power and control and that's it. There's no moral logic to it. Secondly, Russia's unilateral act in Georgia is incomparable to the NATO aid to Kosovo. Russia and Chinia failed to get a UN resolution passed that condemned the NATO attack on Serbia. As soon as the combat stage ended, the UN gladly took over without criticism of NATO and endorsing the outcome. The UN now governs Kosovo, basically. I don't see Russia asking for the UN to come govern Abkhazia and S. Ossetia. The moral equivalence would be if we turned around and invaded Cuba because people from Miami have relatives there and we want to protect them from Communism and mistreatment.

I'm suggesting that Russia is doing it now to protect Iran from Israel. I acknowledge readily that I could be wrong about that. Of course Russia wants these two provinces for itself. This is a timed warning to stay out of Iran,

I tend to agree with you too Dolfan. We are watching the line up begin.