(no subject)
I just sent John McCain the following. If you have a wavering Senator, you might wish to send something similar. And quickly - the vote is tomorrow (Tuesday).
Dear Senator McCain:
Please reconsider your position on the START treaty - or, at least, have a very long talk about it with Senator Kyl. You said in the '08 campaign that you were a proud foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution. Well, Reagan knew the value of missile defense and refused to negotiate it away, even at the height of the Cold War.
We are not, currently, at the height of the Cold War. Russia, far from being a superpower with equal world status with the U.S., can barely maintain the arms it has. There is absolutely no reason for us to ratify this treaty, particularly in light of the fact that this Administration has not release the transcripts of the negotiations, and the Senate has no idea what the nuances of the treaty really are.
Furthermore, negotiating such a limiting treaty with Russia, while all very fine and good (assuming they abide by it, which I doubt very much) does nothing to prevent our other nuclear enemies - China, for one - from vastly increaing their arms stores. We are seriously limiting our ability to defend ourselves from all enemies by choosing to limit ourselves for one - and for such a one! There is not now and never has been any indication that the Russians intend to hold up their end of any treaty.
At the very least, ratifying this treaty during the Lame Duck session is completely and utterly irresponsible - frankly, in my opinion, any legislative initiatives during the Lame Duck are reprehensible. Ratifying a treaty like this that gains us nothing (and which you know very will the Russians will cheat on) during a Lame Duck session is a travesty, and it will help to destroy the foundation of the GOP.
Please reconsider your position and vote "No" on the START treaty.
Dear Senator McCain:
Please reconsider your position on the START treaty - or, at least, have a very long talk about it with Senator Kyl. You said in the '08 campaign that you were a proud foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution. Well, Reagan knew the value of missile defense and refused to negotiate it away, even at the height of the Cold War.
We are not, currently, at the height of the Cold War. Russia, far from being a superpower with equal world status with the U.S., can barely maintain the arms it has. There is absolutely no reason for us to ratify this treaty, particularly in light of the fact that this Administration has not release the transcripts of the negotiations, and the Senate has no idea what the nuances of the treaty really are.
Furthermore, negotiating such a limiting treaty with Russia, while all very fine and good (assuming they abide by it, which I doubt very much) does nothing to prevent our other nuclear enemies - China, for one - from vastly increaing their arms stores. We are seriously limiting our ability to defend ourselves from all enemies by choosing to limit ourselves for one - and for such a one! There is not now and never has been any indication that the Russians intend to hold up their end of any treaty.
At the very least, ratifying this treaty during the Lame Duck session is completely and utterly irresponsible - frankly, in my opinion, any legislative initiatives during the Lame Duck are reprehensible. Ratifying a treaty like this that gains us nothing (and which you know very will the Russians will cheat on) during a Lame Duck session is a travesty, and it will help to destroy the foundation of the GOP.
Please reconsider your position and vote "No" on the START treaty.