Nuclear threat in our backyard?
We are so busy hurling pre-election mud at each other, shredding whatever self-respect and integrity still remain in our embattled country, that we barely noticed what our so-called best friends Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's president, and Venezuela's Hugo Chavez have dropped on our doorstep: their nuclear pact agreement. The deal is for Russia to build a nuclear power station in Venezuela, a nation rich in oil and gas.
Claiming their intentions are “absolutely pure and open,” Russia last month also extended $2.2 in credit to Chavez to purchase 92 Soviet-era T-72 tanks, short-range missiles and an anti-aircraft weapons system. That's in addition to the more than $4 billion in Russian weapons since 2005, including fighter jets, helicopters and 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles. Can't get any more pure or peaceful than that!
Barely a year ago, in September 2009, President Obama announced his intent to scrap the previous administration's plans for the National Missile Defense system in Eastern Europe, thus turning his back on the historically truest allies of the United States.
On Sept. 18, 2009, Russian Prime Minister Putin of course welcomed Obama's plans, and on Oct. 15, 2010, reciprocated by moving his deadly “toys” into our backyard to play with his really, really good friend Hugo and in only took one year. Those big boys sure know how to move in fast on a sitting duck. Way to go, President Obama.
Barbara Wroblewski
Wheeling