Well I will be the lone disent in this one. While I am not in total agreement with how this is being handled, I don't believe that we have a whole lot of good options available.
1) As far as the plane goes, the US would have done the same thing. The US actually did the same thing to a Russian plane about 10 - 15 years ago. So we really have no beef on this one. The US can't have it both ways with regard to espionage, by believing that what we are doing is good, and everyone else is wrong. Our government is just as corrupt as everyone elses is.
2) As far as Bush's stance. What else can he do? With all due respect, don't let your dislike of him (I am also not too fond of him) cloud the fact that he must stay firm yet diplomatic. There are soo many consequences if the US is seen as weak around the world. We will then have every little piss ant country trying us. I believe that he has done reasonably well up till now. His options are few. You can demand (as would I if I were him) that our people and plane are returned. To expect anything less would simply be stupid (in my humble opinion).
The f*&^(d up election is done, and all we can do is work to make sure that it doesn't happen again. He is the President like it or not, and our well being depends on him doing a descent job.
I am not quite ready to kiss my behind goodbye yet. While I have my doubts about his ability to govern as well, I will be praying that he does ok, and that we can get his azz out in 2004.
Peace and Love
MN
[This message has been edited by ManndingoNUPE (edited April 04, 2001).]
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