Jay,
Sure, it would have been nice to have had the luxury of helping to make the transition more smooth for the Russians. We couldn't afford that luxury at the time.
Not sure I see the point on that one. Once the transition is in motion, there would have been very little incentive to use that arsenal, and I doubt that the Soviets are any more inherently suicidal than anyone else. It should be recalled that we were as great a threat to them as they were to us. A slower, smoother transition would also have done a great deal to reduce the likelihood of that arsenal becoming a threat, which as Paul points out is very rapidly happening.
Is it equally inevitable then that our corrupt and incompetent leadership has us careening down the same path?
There are substantial differences in degree, I'd say. And we won't be saddled with this regime much longer, though I must say that the likely lineup of alternatives is less than impressive. I do hope we can do better than Al vs. Newt.
It is entirely possible that my jaundiced view of Reagans ideological extremism (or, more appropriately, that of his handlers, as I doubt the man ever thought or said anything he wasn't told to)comes from my having been a little too close to the dirty side of it. It is important, though, to remember that the dirty side existed - especially if a new cold war awaits.
Steve |
