keep your friends close but your enemies closer
Published on August 21, 2008 By Anthony R In Politics

With Soviet style threats to strike Poland with nuclear weapons, and in the wake of Russia's crushing use of force upon their tiny neighbor in Georgia, I thought this video of Reagan's has become extremely relevant today. Its a far cry from Pat Buchanan pitifully thanking the German's and old Europe for saving his skin by denying Georgia's entry into NATO... with so many appeasement minded individuals writing articles that show a serious disconnect with reality, this speech is a reminder of how the Soviet threat was dealt with the first time around.


Comments
on Aug 21, 2008

With Soviet style threats to strike Poland with nuclear weapons, and in the wake of Russia's crushing use of force upon their tiny neighbor in Georgia
Overblown. Who wants the cold war all over again? Certainly not us and Russia.

on Aug 21, 2008

Certainly not us and Russia.

I half agree.  Russia appears to want it with their actions.

on Aug 21, 2008

Overblown. Who wants the cold war all over again? Certainly not us and Russia.

Not us, but you seem to be leaning toward "on your knees" portion of the speech. Are your knee pads ready? Putin has plans for you.

Anthony...thanks for dusting this one off. History does repeat itself, and Ronnie's words are still relevant today. Someone should forward it to Obama.

on Aug 21, 2008

Are your knee pads ready? Putin has plans for you.
You're talking to a WWII vet, mate; don't give me that "surrender" shit McCain has been doling out. 

on Aug 22, 2008

You're talking to a WWII vet, mate; don't give me that "surrender" shit McCain has been doling out.

A WWII vet?  According to Grandpa's profile, he is 78.  US involvement in WWII lasted from 1941-1945 which would make Grandpa 11-15 or 16 during the war.  It seems to me that Grandpa's telling stories.

on Aug 23, 2008

It seems to me that Grandpa's telling stories.
It's incredible that you so lack trust that you went to the profile. Though it's really none of your business, it so happens I am 80 and I did enter the marines at fifteen ten months and hit the beach at sixteen and turned seventeen 44 days into the campaign.

on Aug 23, 2008

turned seventeen 44 days into the campaign.

Cool, who were you with? My father was a Corporal of Marines during that time.

on Aug 23, 2008

Sixth Marine Division, 4th Marines at Okinawa. Landed on Easter Morning '45. Semper Fi to your Dad. 

on Aug 23, 2008

Sixth Marine Division, 4th Marines at Okinawa. Landed on Easter Morning '45. Semper Fi to your Dad.

Sir, I am a life member of the 3rd MarDiv Association. I was a member of 4th Marines on Okinawa just a little after you. 78-79 LOL. Just for the record it is now under 3rd Marine Division. Semper Fi!!!!! Mac!

on Aug 23, 2008

Despite changing times it is a small world, Mate!

on Aug 23, 2008

So tell me why if you are a marine would you support the liberals? Their ideas and policies have never worked and breed corruption every where they are tried. They want to surrender every chance they get to people that want us dead as a nation.

on Aug 24, 2008

You're talking to a WWII vet, mate; don't give me that "surrender" shit McCain has been doling out.

I knew that (through your other posts/blogs), and I deeply respect the service you and the other men and women of the period gave with honor. And (at least from me) I give you some slack for that. But even communists (not accusing you of course) fought on the Allied side during those years. IMO you do tend to lean to the left and if it's an issue I disagree with I will (respectfully) mention it. I do use sarcasm a bit at times and it may not always translate well in the execution. Me I'm a 24 year vet, with over half of that served during the cold war, I'm strongly anti-socialist/communist. But I'm not anti-Democrat/liberal (just disagree with many of their policies) and have many friends that fall into this category. Like Paladin, I find it shocking for a WWII Marine to have a very liberal outlook, though you definitely have a right to your opinion (IMO that goes double since you put your ass on the line).

As a WWII vet you can surely understand the concept of peace through strength. In a Utopian society sure it would be great if each nation could talk about issues and us diplomacy. But the reality is that many of the planets nations only understand strength, to them nothing else matters. If Georgia was as powerful as Russia would they have dared attack?  Revolution non-withstanding, can you tell me any time in history where a militarily weaker nation (non aligned) declared war on militarily superior nation? To me the democrats (of recent), weaken the country needlessly and gives those that wish us ill an opening to test us. I severed under Carter, Reagan, Bush SR., Clinton, and W presidencies, the differences were dramatic, always less capable under the democrats. Clinton paid down the deficit after the cold war, all nice and everything, but in doing so opened us up to this crazy insurgency, because we had fewer resources to act swiftly and concisely. IMO that is the top priority of the govt. to keep Americans safe at home and abroad. This housing BS, health care, welfare, and on and on should rest with the state, not the federal governments. I'll give my fair share, but I don't need or want their hands in my pocket.