John Edwards: Partnership with Russia a key to global stability

[Catchawave]

From Stanford University:

It is in America's interest to maintain a strategic partnership with Russia—despite its slide toward authoritarianism—because the former superpower can influence a host of critical issues affecting global security, former U.S. Sen. John Edwards said April 26.

From Iran's efforts to obtain nuclear weapons to worldwide concerns such as terrorism, health and security, Russia's influence matters, the 2004 vice presidential candidate told students and scholars during a lunchtime seminar at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. "Our relationship with Russia directly connects with every one of these issues," he said.

For example, "what Russia does on Iran is hugely important to the security of America and hugely important to the security of the world," he said. "Russia is hugely important in stopping Iran from marching forward with its nuclear weapons program."

Associate Professor Michael McFaul, director of the institute's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law, introduced Edwards, who gave a talk titled "Russia's Wrong Direction: What the United States Can and Should Do." The title was taken from a new Council on Foreign Relations report of a task force on U.S. policy toward Russia that Edwards co-chaired with former Republican Congressman Jack Kemp. McFaul and institute Director Coit D. Blacker, both Russia specialists, also were members of the 25-person task force.

Cont'd .... http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2006/may3/edwards-050306.html

[saltpoint]

1. Edwards' extremely valid point wouldn't be necessary if Condoleeza Rice

were still alive.

She was a Russian expert, wasn't she?

[Catchawave]

2. Not too well liked in Russia (via Pravda)

Snipped from: http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/88/354/16721_condoleezza.html

Condoleezza Rice's predecessor on the position, Madeleine Albright, was also an iron lady. Albright, however, was not noticed for the absurd straightforwardness of thinking. It is not a matter of Condoleezza Rice's lack of education: Ms. Rice was a favorite student of Madeleine Albright's father, Josef Korbel, a professor of the Denver University. Condoleezza Rice is not a woman; she is a function. No wonder she is still a Ms, not Mrs.

The mother of all iron ladies, Margaret Thatcher, was a family woman. Politics and nothing but politics has become the family life of Condoleezza Rice. Who on Earth will agree to build a relationship with a woman, who is ready to stand up and fight at any moment? Ms. Rice looks good for her profession indeed, but she has already celebrated her 50th birthday. Lonely women usually become resentful and unrestrained at this age.

Vladimir Zhirinovsky, a notorious Russian politician, the leader of the Liberal and Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) gave Pravda.Ru the following comments regarding Ms. Rice's statement on the gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine.

“Condoleezza Rice is a very cruel, offended woman who lacks men's attention. She needs to be taken to a company of soldiers and it would be just fine. Releasing such stupid remarks gives her the feeling of being fulfilled. This is the only way for her to attract men's attention. The States needs to practice the old Soviet tradition when both single women and single men were not allowed to take responsible state positions,” Zhirinovsky said.

"Rice is not a woman, she is a function" :rofl:

Nice shout out to Margaret and Madeleine though :)

[saltpoint]

3. Hi, Catchawave. Yes. Albright is praised and Dr. Rice is reduced to

a "function."

Wow. THAT is a disparaging remark!

Condoleeza Rice is one of maybe 20 or 30 people who are within various degrees of striking distance of the presidency. That thought chills me. I'd welcome an Afro-American president and/or a female president, but I want the president to have her soul intact.

Condi sold hers a long time ago.

___

Nice to see you on these boards this afternoon.

[Catchawave]

4. Hi OC, and thank you!

:hug:

The entire Bush Administration chills me :cry: Even Laura worries me now, she's definitely NOT the power behind the throne, as her predecessors so eloquently proved :evilgrin:

[Radical Activist]

5. Wow. He sounds like such a lightweight!

:sarcasm:

[Catchawave]

6. LOL.....

You scared me, stop it :sarcasm:

:hi:

[Jacobin]

7. Yeah. They have the worlds largest oil reserves

We better be nice to them or they'll cut us off