G8- Final Thoughts

How do you feel about the G8 Summit that just wrapped up? I personally felt that about the only thing accomplished was that they agreed to agree to talk about many important issues at a later date (same old song and dance). What are your thoughts?

G8 and the Environment

Greenpeace took their protest to the seas and one of their boats was literally run over by the German police. Take a look.

Putin Calls Bush's Hand

Vladimir Putin- 1
George W. Bush- 0

In a surprise move today, Vladimir Putin responded to Bush's call for a missile defense system in Europe stating that it not be located in the Czech Republic or Poland, as Bush proposed, but in Azerbaijan using existing Russian radar bases. Oh the irony of it all! As Bush has claimed over and over again that Russia is not the enemy and the missile defense shield was really directed towards Iranian missiles, this move by Putin forces Bush to prove that Russia is not the target.


Putin is demonstrating keen political and diplomatic skills with this proposal and shows that he is a force to be reckoned with. He did not back down to Bush and it remains to be seen how Bush with his ‘master diplomacy skills’ will respond. God help us!

The Old is New

The old is once again new. Go figure. Bush, in typical fashion, refuses to budge on his plans to install a missile defense shield in Europe. Russia, on the other hand, is not very pleased with this idea and the fact that the sites for this project include the Czech Republic and Poland. In response, Putin has warned that if the United States continues with its missile defense plan, Russia will once again point its nuclear warheads at Europe. This controversy has overshadowed the G8 Summit in Germany.

This type of talk is eerily similar to what I remember growing up. The Cold War, that sad relic of the 20th Century seems to be poking its ugly head around the corner again and the consequences this time could be grave. The world is not the same as it was back then with many more countries now in the ’Nuclear Club’.

It would be wise for both sides to stop this escalation as the spector of a nuclear arms race and possible nuclear conflict yields no winner. It’s time to close this sad chapter of the last century.

*Update* Check out this article for a good analysis of this situation.

G8 Protests

G8 Protests at a glance...

G8- Uncovered

An interesting short film on the G8.

G8 Summit Part 3- Protests

Thousands of protestors poured into the northern city of Rostock, Germany to demonstrate against the upcoming G8 summit which begins on Wednesday. About 30,000 protestors showed up under the banner of "another world is possible".

The protests did turn violent as protestors belted the hotel where the American delegation is supposed to stay with bottles, rocks and paint bombs. The windows of a nearby bank were shattered. Most businesses had closed and secured their storefronts with plywood.

Have you ever wondered why so many people protests these summits year after year? If the decisions being made were really beneficial to the world at large would you see these massive protests? Or the fact that the meetings are normally held in a location that is not accessible to the public at large protected by a massive police presence and razor wire. Could it be that “They want to impose their will upon the poor nations” as one protestor was quoted as saying? I personally feel that the concept of the ’world’s richest countries’ gathering around in a resort somewhere deciding what is best for the world at large is a little outdated. What about the other approximately 186 countries? Where is their voice?

G8 Summit Part 2- Putin and Missile Defense

Russian President Vladimir Putin has lodged his criticism days before taking off for the G8 Summit in Germany, stating that the missile shield plans would "increase the possibiliy of unleashing a nuclear conflict". He added that the United States was "forcing a reaction from Moscow". On Tuesday, Russia tested an intercontinental missile which they claimed could penetrate any missile shield that was in place.

The United States is currently seeking to put parts of this system in place in the Czech Republic and Poland and these moves have been perceived in Russia as threatening. These countries, former Soviet satellites, are quite literally in Russia's backyard. Meetings between Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov have failed to diffuse much of the tension surrounding the issue.

This latest version of the 'missile shield' is the same 'Star Wars' crap from the Reagan Administration in the 80's. Test after test have not proven the system to be that accurate or effective. In addition, it is estimated that costs for this system range from 800 billion dollars up to about 1.2 trillion dollars. It is incredible that a country can spend this much money on one defense system, yet on the domestic front, the grand 'rebuilding of the Gulf Coast' after Hurricane Katrina almost two years ago has not happened.

Although I know that many in this current Administration are relics of the old Cold War, would it not be enlightening to move forward in this new century rather than revisit the ghosts of the past one?

G8 Summit Part 1- The Environment

Climate change is in the news again as the G8 Summit prepares to open in Germany. All of the assembled leaders were ready to sign an agreement requiring mandatory and sizeable greenhouse gas emissions--all that is except for Bush. Surprise, Surprise! As has been the case the past two summits, Bush has simply refused to sign off on anything stronger than 'non-binding calls for action' and expressions of 'concern'. The Bush Administration, ever isolated on this issue, is trying to portray a new face and make it appear that they are serious about climate change. They are calling for a separate round of international talks that will seek 'aspirational' targets for emission cuts in the future. This, however, is the same old tired tactic. It appears that the EU and the United States are once again at odds in dealing with this crisis. The question this time is whether or not the other leaders will capitulate and let the White House once again weaken the fight against climate change.