Sorry about the cut and paste, but this has been pressing on my mind for a while and was wondering if any body else had the same concern or could even alleviate mine. My judgement says that Iran has the support of both Russia and China, not because of their diplomatic offerings that they have the right to pursue nuclear energy, but because Iran is able to send it's oil to these two countries that are continuously needing more for their growing economies. I beleive we have passed the peak oil point, some time ago, and along with that, we are seeing China purchasing all sorts of commodities, driving the price of everything higher (copper, steel, gold, etc.). My concern is that if we engage in a conflict with Iran, which is what some of the rhetoric suggests is inevitable, will we by default, be striking against China and Russia (China having the largest standing army and the Russians happy to sell arms to Iran)?

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/30/world/middleeast/30iran.html

They are only playing what you call "nicey nice" to gain a more dominant position, then the kid gloves will come off.........

We are our own worst enemy though, we invite trouble by being so weak, we invite weakness by feeding our culls and thereby teaching them to be even more useless by reproducing rampantly(more free money). We need to cut welfare by 100% tomorrow morning, let the starving couch potatoes do the work Americans won't do.

"China's new found wealth is coming right out of our pockets. They may be playing politics, but as long as their fortunes come from American consumers, they'll play nicey nice in the long run."

Aunty, I would love to believe this. However, some of my friends are indeed Chinese immigrants, whose parents have opted for Chinese satellite news feeds into their homes. For a few years now they have been buying up the arms that the Russians have been liquidating, all the while, pressing their anti-american sentiment (the chinese, not my friends, my friends are very pro-american). At first this did not seem to be concerning as the Chinese did not seem to have a way to mobilize the troops they have. In the meantime, though, they have been purchasing items from the Russian navy (whatever the equivalent is) and their airforce. And so, I have to wonder, is China gearing up to protect themselves from somebody?? I haven't heard of anyone messing with them besides America (remember the spy plane they knocked down a few years ago?), and if they are not purchasing arms for defense, then who do they plan on striking?

Ha Ha, I figured you would have a better grip on the use of sarcasm by now AuntyM !

Well, if I hadn't seen the footage of them parading their new arms proudly through Tienamen, then I could believe that. It just seemed that they were more showing military might rather than showing how they are helping clean up the mess. I'm sorry to sound paranoid, but as I watch our military get overextended in other parts of the world, it appears that we may have become vulnerable, and China doesn't seem to have any good will towards us right now, at least that's the translation I get from their news feeds. What other countries could be a threat to China that has the money to buy this up besides maybe Taiwan?

I wonder whatever made folks think Russia was our friend. She gave Saddam tactical intel about our movements during Desert Storm and again in the last incursion. She removed Saddams WMDs or at least any traceable to Russia, just before we went into Iraq. In my opinion.
The biggest threat Russia has is a resource hungry China with thousands of miles of border with Far Eastern Russia. If Russia can keep the Chinese looking at Taiwan, Japan and other irritants to the East and across the water, all the better for Russia.
Russia's transition from a tightly controlled, I use the term jokingly, ECONOMY, has been a rough ride. Many of the old timers, die hard communists, don't like the hassle of having to make every day decisions. Life was easier and less stressful when the government made all your decisions for you. And a lot of Russians blame America for all their problems.
Russia, the State is not our friend.

AuntyM,
Just because China likes us as consumers does not mean they wouldn't be willing to trade away some of our standard of living to raise their own, continue that trend for awhile and it may start to suck !

China has the wise habit of silencing most of the internal grumblers. Every once in a while a bit of news gets out, but not often. Remember Tianamen Square? That was not a unique occurence in China. It is unique in that the world saw it. The Panda people are loveable. The government is not. Ask the Tibetans.

Too many otherwise sensible folks are so obsessed with Bush that they cannot see the forest for the trees. I can find much to dislike about some of Bush's programs, and when I get really frustrated by some of his antics I just think of the alternative offered. Kerry? retch. Back to that f... Bush and his imperfections.
That huge porker, congressional spending is just that, congressional. I just wish the CEO had vetoed some of it.
Oh, btw, don't tell me what an awful person Bush is. You don't know the man and neither do I. You have the unbiased, hahaha media's commentary on his personal makeup for guidance. How totally suspect.

“ I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy... I was able to get a sense of his soul. ... I wouldn’t have invited him to my ranch if I didn’t trust him.” bush, June 2001


Geez, just imagine the neocons' reaction if Clinton or Kerry would have said that...

Inconsistency thy name is legion. Isn't odd that when it suit one to take a politicians proclamation at 100 percent etched in stone verbatim accuracy there is no hesitation. Bush is called a liar every day on these forums an now you would have Skerry Kerry or Clinton saying the same thing? I suppose it would have been better if Bush said of Putin, I looked him in the eye and saw that he was a lying polecat and there will be no further dialoge with the Russian leader. What a crock.

Don't you tire of the name calling, Aunty M. I thought you had transcended the BS and decided to stick to issues. Yet again, I'm not surprised.
Are you and your legion having fun with the verbal assaults on the Oregonian?

Gee Sard, I thought I was getting paranoid.....


I'm still watching for any tidbit of insight here, but my hopes are fading.

"Are you and your legion having fun with the verbal assaults on the Oregonian?"

Verbal assaults? For this forum that material would be considered healthy discourse. I know you like to spin and goad so go right ahead. Just don't lump everbody with an opposing opinion together. Unless you are trying to make more people dislike you of course.

Sorry Aunty M. I will check with you in the future to see if I am accidently posting something that might be 'neocon' sourced. Now you know that's BS.
If the article by whomever is interesting I like to share the point of view.
Btw your LUPO act is kinda lame. And so is the 'holier than thou' posture about taking care of family. I always thought those items were call familial obligations and not bragging items. The seed for that came from another thread. I didn't want to add to your confusion.

Naw O. you're not paranoid. You just play the burr under some saddles here. It's kinda fun to share you know. I'm no Sierra Club fan btw. I just happened to be employed by one of the companies that didn't survive that A.H. Hurwitz, you know the Pacific Lumber owner. I'm sorry, but I didn't really give a Rats A. about the Spotted Owl, but I do believe that taking down all the old growth and then saying it will all be back in a few years is a pipe dream. All that comes back is pulp mill fodder. It takes a few hundred plus, if ever, years to recreate the forest primeval. If you are lucky. If not you get gross erosion and eventually sariation.
Thank God women are different. Even it it does give them problems getting a grip.

The issue of oldgrowth, and forestry is going to need it's own thread.

I do love women, but unless compared to homotypes, I will deny it.....
<grin>