Russia Warns U.S. About Missile System

This story reminds me of William Bradford who was elected as governor of the Plymouth Colony and reelected to serve around 30 years. I can't see how allowing longer terms would be a bad thing. If people don't want someone in office they only have to note vote for them. I'm sure there are valid reasons for limiting terms but eventually there will be a president popular enough to where people just don't want them leaving. Or at least it's not outside of the realm of possibility. I am happy with the current setup though for our country. 4-8 years is plenty.

I wonder if the same thing has crossed The Decider's mind, but just about the US.

I doubt it. Somehow I think Bush will be most happy to leave office. I also think you can give him any nickname you want but go back in time and I would still vote for Bush over Kerry any day of the week. I'm sure that is a popular opinion (not). What bothers me is that people knew there was a war going on, and just like everything else in life patience is required because as everyone knew, or should have known, from the start is that magical good results would not come overnight. You knew it and most voted for Bush knowing this. And from what I can see Bush as done everything exactly how you would expect him to. So since majority voted for him and he has been Bush-like in every decision he has made, what is with the big shift towards bashing everything he does. You make your choices and you live with them. That is life.

actually it was the dems in a bizzare move, tried to repeal the 22nd admendment twice during bush's admin.

Despite the opinion piece looks favoribly on an "11 year" of clinton right now, and it is nice to dream of what life would have been like without our almighty decider, i hold the 22nd amendment dear and even knowing what i know now about iraq, bush and his lies and corruption, if it was a choice between bush(with hindsight) or Clinton with a repeal of the 22nd amendment, i'd actually have to vote for Bush again.
I dont want a monarchy even if the guy is competent.

Right... Because under Putin, Russia has just been sitting by idly twiddling it's thumbs, happy with its marginal post-Soviet status.

And wouldn't that be awesome....if the US builds targets in Europe for Iran, and Russia builds targets for Europe, sure sounds like everyone's going to die to me. Don't you just love bombs?

the axis (russia, china, muslim nations)

Russia has no reason to make common cause with China, and both have substantial numbers of Muslims within their borders - China especially so. Russia, indeed, fears Chinese cross-border encroachment.

Russia has no reason to make common cause with China, and both have substantial numbers of Muslims within their borders - China especially so. Russia, indeed, fears Chinese cross-border encroachment.

But they do have in common a resentment for the USA, and I could see them setting aside their differences to deal a final blow to us once we're down. Russia and China are already aligned on certain issues like the backing of (and funneling weapons to) Iran.

As much as a part of me wants to believe that US hegemony is good for the world, the idealist in me argues that no hegemony is good, though America's Empire has surely been better than anything we ever saw offered by the Europeans when they were on top.

While I do not trust either the American, Russian, or Chinese governments, there are good people in all of these countries, and as long as free information exchange via the Internet increases and penetrates deeper into the social strata of these nations, I think the will of the people (the true people, not the Party) will eventually prevail over the tyrants. Both China and Russia are far more open and democratic than they have been in all history -- even Russia when it was more "democratic" supposedly several years ago was more like a wild west for multinationals and the mafia to run amok. Russia is increasing its federal power once again, which I admit is a little scary, but not as scary as that whole region of the world falling into impovershed chaos while it waves a tattered banner of "democracy". The people love Putin over there for a reason, because Russians can actually live comfortably now for the first time in decades.

Will Russia and China use their military power to create some sort of economic bloc in Asia?

Russia and China are less likely to be allies any time soon than the US is to be an ally with either one of them. Geopolitical forces may bring them together (strange bedfellows, and all that), but that might have the effect of driving others, even and especially in Asia (no to mention Europe) further toward the US. A multipolar world might not be a bad thing.

China and Russia have already shown an interest of creating some sort of military alliance. Recently, the countries conducted joint military drills.

Both Russia and China provide energy services to some of their neighbors. No matter how much these countries resent Russian and Chinese interference, the US does not have the energy resources to replace what these countries would lose if they were to break relations with China or Russia.

Yeah, seriously, Bartleby ... the last thing Russia needs is for China to decide it'd really like to annex Siberia and all its natural resources ....