Russia

[Chocolate Bar]

Does any one here trust Russia? I don't

[Siko Michael]

Ukraine......YES........RUSSIA........NO.....

[GDL]

It's really hard to say i mean there's othing ever on about Russia like there was from the 50's to the late 70's.But no I wouldn't really trust this Communist turned democracy thingy.UMMM does anyone really know what it's government is right now?Does anyine know if Russia is our allie right now?Now I do feel sorry for those poor people over there.I know that they say things are getting better but does anyone ever see any of our reporters going over there to report so to answer your question no I don't trust them finally me and siko-michael and me finally agree on something.MIRACLE!!!!!

[Armany]

Russia, under the former KGB official Vladimir Putin, is headed toward a tyrannical state of semi-democracy, semi-communism, where Putin "selects" the members of the major legislative bodies of the nation. Pure autocracy, if you ask me. So Russia, an unequivocal NO.

Ukraine, since Yushenko won (I probably butchered that), a big YES. Not that the Russians like it . . .

[Chocolate Bar]

We aren't allies like we are wjth England but the relations have improved.

[Armany]

With who? Russia or Ukraine?

[GDL]

Russia.

[Armany]

Okay, then, it might have gotten a little better, but after the news of their "arms alliance" with Iran a few weeks ago and their agreement to cooperate with China in military training, I wouldn't trust 'em as far as I could throw 'em. Since they have like over 100 mil. people, you couldn't throw 'em far, either. ;D

It brings up a question about China, too. I don't trust them either. They're nuclear, and they don't like us "Capitalists."

[New Titania (TD)]

Amen, Armany.

My thoughts exactly. Russia thinks that Iran is "not a threat." Idiots.

China, hah, they're just another Soviet Union waiting to happen . . .

[GDL]

Sadly that is true.Does anyone here watch Touched By an Angel?Well last night it was about China and it's communism government.But thank God that communism is dieing,that also birngs up something else.What do you think about Cuba,and Fidel Castro?I heard that he's losing power.What do you think?That was good Armany my thoughts exactly.

[Armany]

If he dies within the next few months, then I think the Cubans will just establish a democracy. If he lives on, though, we should try to undermine his government. How, I don't know, since he's been in power for what seems like forever.

[GDL]

The reason why I said he's losing power isn't because of his age,atleast not totally.He's letting American money get in so his people can use that.And our money is worth more over there.

[Armany]

Cubans are dirt poor, though.

[GDL]

yes and that is very sad.Does your school have Channel One News?Well last year that's where they showed how much more an American Dollar will by than a Cuban one.

[Armany]

Well, I've seen documentaries on Dateline or 20:20 that have dealt with the issue. No, my school doesn't have Channel One; Channel One is probably different where I live than where you live.

[GDL]

The reason why I asked is because they have it all over the nation they broadcast it from LA.

[Siko Michael]

China is EVIL!!!! I TELL U!!!! but we cant do nothing about it physically, they have more people in there army than we have in than the US total.... but the fall of there government hmmm..... it could happen. Castro has been in power in cuba since the lates 50s whenever Kennedy became prez he tried to get a bunch of Cuban exiles/rebels to go in there and overthrown castro.... it was called the bay of pigs- the mission well, failed and made america look stupid because of there VERY BAD cover-up

[Armany]

I didn't know that, GDL.

Yeah, we couldn't do it militarily, Siko Micheal (what do you go by?: Siko, Micheal, or both together).

[Siko Michael]

i dont really care armany.... i just prefer u spell my real name right if u use it ;D M-I-C-H-A-E-L

[Armany]

Oops, sorry, that goes to show you that we DO need spelling classes. ;D

And I'll practice, because I have a friend named Michael, too.

Michael
Michael
Michael
Michael
Michael
Michael
. . . Lesson One: Spelling Simple Names Right

Student: Armany

lol ;D

[Siko Michael]

thanx

[GDL]

yeah and it almost caused a nuclear war

[Siko Michael]

yep, im glad i didnt have to live through that. I dont really understand though since Kennedy had the highest IQ of all our presidents.

[Armany]

What, my spelling? lol

Seriously, I didn't know that, GDL. I haven't really read about the Cold War, I try to stick to WWII or ancient history. I've heard bits and pieces, though.

[ApologeticChrist]

If you want "almost nuclear war," try the Cuban Missle Chrisis on for size. However, I don't necessarily agree with you on your predictions about China, Cuba, Russia and the Ukriane.

China does not make me nervous and won't for at least the next 10 years. Right now, their entire economy depends completely on American money. As long as that lasts, their army and nukes will stay behind their boarders. They don't like us, but they are slowly becoming capitalist and they are far more dangerous to us as an economic threat than militarily.

Cuba is actually doing very well for itself right now. Communism has really ceased to have any meaning there and it is more a heavily socialist nation than anything else. The level of literacy, poverty and crime has gone way down since the 50's and is actually pretty decent when compared to the world. Healthcare is on the upswing. It's pointless to try to undermine his government at this point. America is already a giant pile of self centered.... stuff.... in the eyes of the world to pursue any more policies of overthrow. Let the man die and have the UN work out a democracy.

Russia is looking a little creepy. Keep in mind though, the nation has been under brutal dictatorships since.... around the year 1200? Tsar or Dictator, they're still getting used to democracy, but I think that they won't let go now that they have a taste of it. Putin will have a very difficult time putting down the people at this point, especially with the dependency his still weak economy has on the US and EU.

The Ukraine however is a misnomer. Totally meaningless in world politics other than good will gestures. There are people, but no reason to honestly be concerned, except a possibly rigged election.

-R. S. of UC