Obama Scrapping Missile Shield

[Maggie]

This is not a good move. From the Washington Post:

Czech Premier: Obama Scrapping Missile Shield

:ohno:

[SubGod22]

:banghead:

You just knew he'd cave and give in to Putin and company on this...

[ShockerGorilla]

:banghead:

You just knew he'd cave and give in to Putin and company on this...

But he said it wasn't about Russia! :roll:

[Maggie]

Anger in Europe as Barack Obama 'scraps missile defence shield'

The former Czech prime minister, Mirek Topolanek, said: "This is not good news for the Czech state, for Czech freedom and independence. It puts us in a position wherein we are not firmly anchored in terms of partnership, security and alliance, and that's a certain threat."

Don’t forget these Eastern European countries have been stalwart allies since 9-11; a relationship forged, in large part, due to our support during the Cold War. The Administration had better not be risking this relationship for nothing.

[SubGod22]

The Administration had better not be risking this relationship for nothing.

Depends how you feel about sucking up to Russia...

[Maggie]

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA , Hradcany Square, Prague, Czech Republic - April 5, 2009

So let me be clear: Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile activity poses a real threat, not just to the United States, but to Iran's neighbors and our allies. The Czech Republic and Poland have been courageous in agreeing to host a defense against these missiles. As long as the threat from Iran persists, we will go forward with a missile defense system that is cost-effective and proven. (Applause.) If the Iranian threat is eliminated, we will have a stronger basis for security, and the driving force for missile defense construction in Europe will be removed. (Applause.)

I didn’t realize this but the decision also appears to come at a bad time, from the NYT:

But it made for unfortunate timing, as Thursday is the 70th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland at the start of World War II, a date fraught with sensitivity for Poles who viewed the Bush missile defense system as a political security blanket against Russia. Poland and many other countries in the former Soviet sphere worry that Mr. Obama is less willing to stand up to Russia.

White House to Scrap Bush’s Approach to Missile Shield

[wu_shizzle]

When does this guy's memory of world history start?

Does he not appreciate the work done by American Presidents for the last 20 years to keep these type of thugs at bay?

[ISASO]

NO.
And Obama is now obeying Chavez and Noriega by refusing to allow the Honduran President to enter the country to represent his country at the UN.

The Apology Tour just reached a new low.

[SubGod22]

NO.
And Obama is now obeying Chavez and Noriega by refusing to allow the Honduran President to enter the country to represent his country at the UN.

The Apology Tour just reached a new low.

Good lord!!!

We open our doors to allow the psychotic leaders of Iran and Libya in but won't allow the constitutionally authorized leader of a democratic nation in...

[Maggie]

Well it sure seems like the Polish government is taking all this in stride:

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed today that he declined last night to take a call from the U.S. informing him of the decision to scrap planned missile-defense bases in his country.

Two U.S.-based sources close to the Polish government said Thursday that Tusk also rejected a call from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton -- on the grounds that, as the head of the government, he should speak to the president.

"Hillary called – and the reason he turned it down was because of protocol," said a source.

Questions about the exchanges surfaced in the Polish press after Obama reached the Czech Prime Minister late last night to warn of the policy change, but did not speak to the Pole until this morning. And the static offers a glimpse at the distress beneath the diplomatic facade being offered by Eastern European leaders.

Polish Radio reports today that Tusk confirmed an earlier press report that he hadn't taken Obama's call, but denied it was due to "technical difficulties."

Tusk said he declined to speak with President Obama during the night because he wanted to “properly prepare for the discussion."

A Polish Embassy spokesman noted that Tusk ultimately spoke to Obama, while Clinton spoke to the country's foreign minister.

A State Department spokesman didn't respond to an email seeking comment on the episode.

Polish PM wouldn't take U.S. calls

[shocklight]

I thought Obama was going to fix all of our problems with forgein countries that George Bush had destroyed.

Just more of the lies that comes out of the Obama administration!

Fox New is kicking Obama's liberal behind, exposing him and his commards. The list is starting to get longer, he better get right of center pretty darn quick or he will certainly be made out to be the fool he really is.

IMHO

[kcshocker11]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/08599192490300

Unanimously agreed on by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Defense Secretary as a great decision that was much needed.

Viewed from the perspective of defense priorities, what the Administration has done is shift resources away from building a costly, immovable and as yet unproven shield in central Europe to counter the potential threat of Iran's developing intercontinental ballistic missiles, instead allocating them to deploying ships carrying proven interceptor systems nearer to Iran to counter the current threat of its medium-range-missile arsenal.
Among other advantages, the ships can sail freely in international waters to meet evolving threats without obtaining consent from host countries (the Czech parliament, for example, had yet to approve the deployment of the now canceled system). What's more, they can perform missions other than missile defense, and they are considerably cheaper. "This system gives us a much more significant and robust capability to adapt to the threat as it actually emerges," Marine General James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday, Sept. 17.

Part of the furor over Obama's decision results from the fact that ever since President Ronald Reagan launched his Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI, a.k.a. Star Wars) 26 years ago, the notion of a global missile shield has become an obsession for many of his ideological acolytes. They tend to view any retreat as surrendering to the forces of evil, even though Obama's decision was blessed by Defense Secretary Robert Gates - who had originally recommended the European scheme in 2006 while serving as Defense Secretary to President George W. Bush. In justifying the move, Gates and others cite intelligence reports that Iran - ostensibly the key target of the European shield - is emphasizing shorter-range missiles that couldn't be shot down from Poland.

[ShockCity]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/08599192490300

Unanimously agreed on by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Defense Secretary as a great decision that was much needed.

Viewed from the perspective of defense priorities, what the Administration has done is shift resources away from building a costly, immovable and as yet unproven shield in central Europe to counter the potential threat of Iran's developing intercontinental ballistic missiles, instead allocating them to deploying ships carrying proven interceptor systems nearer to Iran to counter the current threat of its medium-range-missile arsenal.
Among other advantages, the ships can sail freely in international waters to meet evolving threats without obtaining consent from host countries (the Czech parliament, for example, had yet to approve the deployment of the now canceled system). What's more, they can perform missions other than missile defense, and they are considerably cheaper. "This system gives us a much more significant and robust capability to adapt to the threat as it actually emerges," Marine General James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday, Sept. 17.

Part of the furor over Obama's decision results from the fact that ever since President Ronald Reagan launched his Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI, a.k.a. Star Wars) 26 years ago, the notion of a global missile shield has become an obsession for many of his ideological acolytes. They tend to view any retreat as surrendering to the forces of evil, even though Obama's decision was blessed by Defense Secretary Robert Gates - who had originally recommended the European scheme in 2006 while serving as Defense Secretary to President George W. Bush. In justifying the move, Gates and others cite intelligence reports that Iran - ostensibly the key target of the European shield - is emphasizing shorter-range missiles that couldn't be shot down from Poland.

Exactly. This decision was made due to the shift in threat from Iran. The new plan is actually a better plan from the standpoint of protecting our allies in the region. It's just a shame that the Glenn Beck / Rush Limbaugh crowd on here can't have an original thought and would rather buy what these morons are selling hook, line, and sinker.

[WuDrWu]

It's funny (in a make your stomach ache violently sort of way) how the left always seems to be "tight" when it comes to protecting and defending freedom for the citizens of the United States of America, however if it comes to defending, say SMELT, then they spare no taxpayer expense.


On the surface, one can understand your point. But one must fully understand more than the dollars, and that skill seems to evade you here.


I guess I should feel blessed that you so staunchly believe that a few "experts" are better off making decisions for the rest of us....that insures that you will never be in charge. One less idiot in charge, that's a good thing.

[wu_shizzle]

It's just a shame that the Glenn Beck / Rush Limbaugh crowd on here can't have an original thought and would rather buy what these morons are selling hook, line, and sinker.

Please enlighten all of us on your Hopey, Changey original thoughts...