No Missiles in My Backyard!

At the end of the Cold War, Russian operatives confessed that they had lived in fear of the United States for many years. They were afraid the U.S. might instigate a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union at any time. Thus, they believed they had to be prepared to strike back if that should happen. They were certain our insistence that our nuclear arsenal was only for defense was a ruse. They remembered Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They knew the United States was the only country that had actually used a nuclear weapon.

Their fears were realized, at least in part, when George W. Bush launched a preemptive invasion in Iraq, a minor player in the Middle East and of no real economic consequence and certainly of no military consequence. The Russians knew, as did much of the rest of the world, that Bush used cooked intelligence to justify his invasion.

Actually, Bush did more to damage America's reputation and image in that one stupid stroke than anyone would have thought possible. When visiting France last summer, I spoke with many French people who invariable said they loved America and the Americans but they didn't much care for our president.

The birds come home to roost, as they say. But we don't learn very fast. The United States is involved in a "Star Wars" program - one of the most expensive boondoggles to come down the pike. Known as the US national missile defense system, it "is a complex project which involves the production of new weapons, and the installation of US military bases in different parts of the planet."

The reality is that this "star wars" plan is wholly unnecessary, and instead of stopping a confrontation, may very well provoke one. It is one more instance where the Bush administration gets to give out huge bundles of cash to its friends in the war industries.

Here's the plan: First we install a radar system in the Czech Republic and then set up a base for interceptor missiles in Poland.

Problem #1: Those countries want neither our radar system nor our interceptor missile base. Most of the people in those countries are strongly opposed to these military adventures.

The other thing to consider, although it is never mentioned, is that the technology does not work!

Problem #2: Russia is highly pissed, fearing naturally that the U.S. may turn its missiles on that country. Instead, Russia has suggested that if the U.S. is afraid of Iran, it should use the radar systems already in place on Russian soil. The U.S. does not want to hear that and has avoided any agreement with the Russians.

In the Czech Republic, the people are taking to the streets. A movement is afoot to stop the plans for a radar system. An international petition is being distributed and a billboard campaign is underway to promote that petition. The petition argues that if the Czech government signs a treaty to which most of the people are opposed, it is not valid.

That could be a problem.

Maybe George ought to pray about it.