Obama's Weakness in Nuclear Policy

So, there are a number of issues that I have with the Obama administration, and at times I have tended to agree at least somewhat with some of the administrations international policies (ie: Afghanistan, China) but the decision to stand down on the Eastern European Nuclear Defense Shield is just ludicrous.

Here is the deal, the Administration (and many) would lead you to believe that the nuclear defense shield in Poland is a strategic defense against Iranian nuclear missiles and can wait (cause Iran just isn't progressing on their nukes as fast as expected) .....but in reality it is a statement to Russia that Eastern Europe is important to the US, important enough for the US to defend it OUTSIDE of NATO. So, what the Obama administration just did, in "changing its plans to create a more cost effective system" (aka one that would not even be considered for implementation until 2015) is say 'Sorry Russia, here you go, bully Eastern Europe at your own whim'.

Bully Eastern Europe - but aren't we 20 years out of the Cold War - is Russia really a threat? Yes, bully Eastern Europe - need we be reminded of the continuous gas pipeline cut off to Eastern Europe that happens just about every winter.... Yes, we are outside of the Cold War, and yet, we aren't. Did the Soviet Empire collapse? Yes, but I still contend that there will always be enemies, that nuclear armaments allow countries a "seat at the table" and that they are still used to threaten others. Is Russia a threat? Yes, and No - Does Russia have the military capabilities to crush the US in a conventional war? Not really...but does Russia have the political capital with countries such as Iran and Syria to create greater issues for the US - ABSOLUTELY.

So essentially - in pulling back on the nuclear defense shield - we said to Russia - "Don't worry - Eastern Europe you can still have....its just not that important to us....appeasing you, Russia, is more important, because we trust you Putin." Anyone else see a Hitler, Churchill, Poland situation circa 1937 happening here? Just sayin' its something to consider....the US is a bully, but perhaps, in situations with Russia, she shouldn't stand down.

18 Plus 12 Years of Experience

This weekend was an extremely special one - David turned 30. We had an amazing time. We picnic'd with the neice and nephew and then went ice skating on Friday, and yesterday I gave David his BIG birthday present - a flight on a WW2 Warbird Stearman bi-plane. He had no clue.

I was intent on making sure he didn't find out about his present until we were at the airport. I set up a series of clues - including one which led us to the Cavenaugh Flight Museum - where they have an awesome hanger (4 hangers full) display of WW1, WW2 and Cold War aircraft. I somehow managed to convince David that this was one of several events (that which it was) but he figured the other events were at different locations. To throw him off track I had him pack a change of clothes to take with us. I also had him wear his tennis shoes (something he had to do for the flight) - somehow - Little Mister Engineer decided that he figured out his gift - he had convinced himself that we were going sailing. I decided to play along with his idea....told him "well you may have figured out part of it, but we are still doing something first" and so we go to the flight museum.

In the process of the day, he was receiving clues to the "next step" of our adventure for his birthday. After we finished the museum, we sat down at the picnic area and I gave him the card for the next clue. Mister Smarty Pants assumed that of course this card would lead him to the sailing adventure he was so sure we were embarking upon next. So as he was reading the card - which started with "Soar High" he was getting confused. He then read through the entire card which even said "Hop Aboard for your flight on the Stearman" and he was still confused. (pic 1 below of David reading the card and being confused). It took me looking at him and going - "Your gift is that you are going for a flight in that plane over there (insert point at biplane on tarmac)" (Pic 2 is his expression after this all sinks in). I was SO proud that I managed to surprise him - he was so astonished at his gift. I got "Seriously" for the next hour as we waited through pre-flight, etc. It was absolutely the most perfect gift.



Reading the Card - Not understanding why it has nothing to do with sailing






THE FACE upon me telling him what he was going to do for his birthday - LOVE the shock and surprise in his face :)



I kept getting this face as we were waiting - its the "seriously" and "I am so excited" face all in one :)





All strapped in and ready to go!