FOX recalling Cold War era to help McCain

Reading headlines this morning 8/20/08, FOX Friend Gretchen Carlson called Russian president Medvedev "former Soviet bloc Russian President Dmitri Medvedev," perfectly accurate yet invoking the ghost of Cold War past. This is the second time this week I've noticed that turn of phrase. This is obviously scripted by producers, because last week she couldn't even pronounce his name.

As Melanie wrote last week, the FOX water carriers are eagerly ramping up the rhetoric, reinforcing John McCain's hawkish stance on the situation and promoting the hard-line neo-con agenda. The Iraq-invasion architects are steering McCain's campaign, as it is urgent they retain their power seat to continue to enact their vision for our country.

Taunting Russia into another stand-off with the United States could be very harmful to our economy and national security, writes Mikhail Gorbachev in an article titled "Russia Never Wanted a War" in today's New York Times:

"What is needed is a legally binding agreement not to use force. (Georgian president) Mr. Saakashvili has repeatedly refused to sign such an agreement, for reasons that have now become abundantly clear.
The West would be wise to help achieve such an agreement now. If, instead, it chooses to blame Russia and re-arm Georgia, as American officials are suggesting, a new crisis will be inevitable. In that case, expect the worst.

In recent days, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and President Bush have been promising to isolate Russia. Some American politicians have threatened to expel it from the Group of 8 industrialized nations, to abolish the NATO-Russia Council and to keep Russia out of the World Trade Organization.



There is much talk now in the United States about rethinking relations with Russia. One thing that should definitely be rethought: the habit of talking to Russia in a condescending way, without regard for its positions and interests.

Our two countries could develop a serious agenda for genuine, rather than token, cooperation. Many Americans, as well as Russians, understand the need for this. But is the same true of the political leaders?

A bipartisan commission led by Senator Chuck Hagel and former Senator Gary Hart has recently been established at Harvard to report on American-Russian relations to Congress and the next president. It includes serious people, and, judging by the commission’s early statements, its members understand the importance of Russia and the importance of constructive bilateral relations.

But the members of this commission should be careful. Their mandate is to present “policy recommendations for a new administration to advance America’s national interests in relations with Russia.” If that alone is the goal, then I doubt that much good will come out of it. If, however, the commission is ready to also consider the interests of the other side and of common security, it may actually help rebuild trust between Russia and the United States and allow them to start doing useful work together."

http://www.newshounds.us/2008/08/20/fox_recalling_cold_war_era_to_help_mccain.php#more