Balderdash

Amish van overturns, killing five.
There is no agreement as to how many
were in the van, 15, 16, or 17.

Putin is starting a new cold war. Balderdash. Bush/Cheney are starting a new cold war. During the past few years the U.S. has encouraged nations surrounding Russia, that used to be part of the Soviet empire, to join NATO against the wishes of the Russians. We have forced ourselves into areas that were always important to Russia in an attempt to make off with their oil resources that are considerable. We tried, or are trying, to build a pipeline to access these resources by bypassing Russia altogether. Now we are insisting on creating bases near the Russian border to house missile defense systems which the Russians, understandably, believe threaten their security and interests. These bases are to protect Europe from Iranian missiles that do not even exist and the anti-missile technology doesn't even work and thus is not even necessary. Russia, under Putin, has mounted an important comeback, partly helped by the rising cost of oil of which they have lots. It seems to me only natural that Putin would take steps to restore Russian power and influence and resist the incursions of the U.S. To claim that Russia is starting a new cold war is quite the opposite of what is happening. If there is a new cold war you can thank Bush/Cheney and their arrogant approach to the rest of the world. Putin has now gone so far as to side with Iran as that country, too, is under siege by the U.S. For the U.S. to blame Russia for our deteriorating relationship represents a most blatant example of projection and hypocrisy.

And speaking of Iran, Bush/Cheney are trying to ratchet up the most hysterical view of an Iranian threat they can. Their desire to place missile defense systems near Russia to protect Europe and the U.S. is based on nothing but their unbelievable fantasy that Iran is going to build missiles and nuclear warheads to start an attack on the rest of the world. This is sheer lunacy. They have to know this is nothing but absolute nonsense but they will do anything to try to goad us into an attack on another country that is no threat to us. To believe that Iran wants a nuclear bomb to attack Europe or anyone else is nothing but pure fantasy. If they want such a bomb it would clearly be for defensive purposes only. After all, they are living in an area where others have such weapons, others who are not very friendly towards them. Iran is not the aggressor in this relationship but, rather, the victim (think regime change, as usual). For Bush/Cheney to unilaterally attack Iran in any way, in the present climate of International relations, would be an act so stupid, so without merit, so without justification, so contrary to even basic common sense, that I don't believe even Bush/Cheney would attempt it (unless, of course, they really are totally insane).

LKBIQ:
"Those who corrupt the public mind are just as evil as those who steal from the public purse."
Adlai Stevenson