Care to address the issue of the litmus test

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MOSCOW � Russia will deploy short-range missiles near Poland to counter U.S. military plans in Eastern Europe, President Dmitry Medvedev warned Wednesday, setting a combative tone that clashed with global goodwill over Barack Obama's election.

In his first state of the nation speech, Medvedev blamed Washington for the war in Georgia and the world financial crisis and suggested it was up to Washington to mend badly damaged ties.

Medvedev also proposed increasing the Russian presidential term to six years from four � a change that could deepen Western concern over democracy in Russia and play into the hands of his mentor, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who has not ruled out a return to the Kremlin.

Extending the presidential term could mean a possible 12 more years in the top office for the popular Putin.

Echoing Putin, who made criticism of Washington and the West a hallmark of his two-term, eight-year presidency, Medvedev used the speech in an ornate Kremlin reception hall to cast Russia as a nation threatened by encroaching American military might.

"From what we have seen in recent years � the creation of a missile defense system, the encirclement of Russia with military bases, the relentless expansion of NATO � we have gotten the clear impression that they are testing our strength," Medvedev said.

He signaled Moscow would not give in to Western calls to pull troops from Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, or rescind its recognition of their independence following the August war.

"We will not retreat in the Caucasus," he said, winning one of many rounds of applause during the televised 85-minute address.

Talking tough, he fleshed out long-promised military measures in response to U.S. plans for missile defense facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic, former Soviet satellites now in NATO. The Kremlin claims the system is meant to weaken Russia, not defend against Iran, as Washington insists.

Medvedev said Iskander missiles would be deployed to Russia's western enclave of Kaliningrad, sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania, "to neutralize, if necessary, a missile defense system."

The Iskander has a range of about 280 kilometers (175 miles), which would allow it to reach targets in Poland but not in the Czech Republic � but officials have said its range could be increased. Medvedev did not say whether the missiles would be fitted with nuclear warheads.

Russia will also deploy electronic jamming equipment, Medvedev said.

After the speech, the Kremlin announced Medvedev had congratulated Obama for winning the U.S. presidency, saying in a telegram he was "counting on a constructive dialogue with you on the basis of trust and taking each other's interests into account."

In Washington, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack emphasized that the planned missile defenses were not aimed at Russia.

"The steps that the Russian government announced today are disappointing," McCormack said. "But, again, this is not directed at them. Hopefully one day they'll realize that."

Medvedev appeared to be trying to improve Russia's bargaining position in potential talks with the Obama administration on missile defense. His wording suggested Russia would reverse the decision if the U.S. scraps its missile defense plans.

"Moscow isn't interested in confrontation, and if Obama makes some conciliatory gestures it will respond correspondingly," said Alexander Pikayev, an analyst at Moscow's Institute for World Economy and International Relations.

But independent military analyst Alexander Golts said Medvedev's "confrontational tone" could further harm relations with the United States, which plunged to a post-Cold War low over the war in Georgia.

"Russia itself is cutting off the route toward better ties," he said.

Regional leaders criticized Medvedev's missile warning. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said it was "certainly the wrong signal at the wrong time" and urged the U.S. and Russia to see change in the White House as an "opportunity for a new beginning."

Medvedev suggested the U.S. must make the first move to break the chill. The Kremlin hopes the incoming administration "will make a choice in favor of full-fledged relations with Russia," he said.

In addition to calling for a six-year presidential term, he said parliament's term should be extended to five years instead of four and its power over the executive branch increased.

Both changes could strengthen the hand of Putin, who can run for president again in 2012 and now heads the dominant United Russia party.

I think there are other tests because this seems to be sponsored by the VA I think, but it is still great to determine issues. I scored only 22 percent with McCain, which I kind of figured anyway, but it helps me when so many people like to cloud the issues and confuse people, especially women.

I used to see that in the union when I was just a medical record clerk (which was a union job) and then went to transcription (nonunion job) - when the administration was trying to break the union they would always stir the women up with issues that were sort of minor, or confusing, and sit back and watch everyone fighting about such petty things, and meanwhile emotions would get so high people did not even know the issues anymore.

It was weird to watch, but they do the same thing where my partner works while they try continually to break the union - they use the women to do it - sad but true, and it almost works every time.

I did not intend to insult YOUR intelligence. I was speaking of American people in GENERAL. Obviously from your post you agree, whether you agreed in words or not, it's there between the lines i.e. your BIL's employees who complain. I was not speaking of people who bought off more debt than they could chew, I have NO sympathy for them. As far as I'm concerned these people who are living in 5000 sq. ft houses as you said and can't afford it, get what they deserve and I am certainly not in favor of bailing them out. I was speaking of people who are having trouble paying their heating/electric bills, buying groceries and gas to get to work on their $10 an hour jobs.

I say the outsourcing of American jobs is inexcusable. You proved my point regarding your BIL. If he, a small business, can give good jobs to his employees don't tell me the big businesses can't do likewise. You are correct, some people would complain if they were in God's pocket with their head sticking out! His employees who complain as far as I'm concerned, he ought to fire them and hire people who appreciate a good job in this day and age.

Please don't think anything I say personally. I do not mean it to be personal to anyone but if the shoe fits..........then I guess people can wear it.

economic nightmare without also addressing those who are already suffering from it. If that is not addressed while we are setting up new jobs, then we go straight into a depression. It's a whole lot harder and longer to get out of a full-blown depression that what we have now....and right now we're on the edge.

NASA = The 50 million Obama allotted for NASA is for them to repair facilities in Houston from hurricaine Ike (which should have already been done, btw) and non-space activities. Again, job creation. NASA wants more, but I doubt they'll get it.

The administrator and I have posted and reposted the rules. I don't care what publication approved what. The administrator will not allow extremely inflammatory posts regarding the President and these rules have been outlined to you repeatedly. As the administrator has said, this board is read worldwide. Have a care for what you post. No one has run to me asking to have posts removed. I remove the posts that do violate the rules. I suggest you post in another venue if you cannot manage to respect the rules of this board.

It appears to be another excuse to vent your dislike of all things liberal. It contains misguided and erroneous assumptions, as usual.

But I do appreciate the time you took to compose it. Just wish your time could be spent on something more constructive or insightful...something that could educate or enlighten the reader rather than leaving them scratching their heads thinking....what in the heck is she ranting about.....sure makes me think those neocons are bonkers..... I wish for once one of your posts would make me think golly, she might have a point there instead of feeling like someone had defecated on me. Understand?

Maybe we should all send her an email. Let her know how we feel about her use of taxpayers' money for her own personal benefit.

Care to address the issue of the litmus test

Air Force chief: Test weapons on testy U.S. mobs