Obvious logic, that this is not an analogous situation in any way whatsoever and of course Putin's motives would be totally different than ours, and sinister, unlike ours.

I revisited this because Cuba is old-world, East-coast-dominating-the-USA, long-obsolete and I was led to consider a more modern example. What would be more remarkable and provocative would be to emplace offensive (as opposed to our defensive) missiles in Mexico.

Chavez putting offensive missiles in his nation or in a taken-over Colombia or Panama would be bad, too, but not as provocative as putting missiles in Mexico just south of the “frontier zone” (50 to 100 kilometers south of the border).

Any of the foregoing would be as equally “logical” as putting them in Cuba, which is to say, with no logical basis at all.

“Of course McCain will be getting advice from advisors (well, one advisor, but maybe more) who is (or was) paid by Georgia and is still in that country's pocket…. Hardly a 'US first' approach. Particularly since McCain does see Russia as the threat.”

First, let us be clear. It is Russia who is misbehaving and is belligerent. RUSSIA.
Not the “evil” USA. RUSSIA. Issue closed.

Second, regarding advisers: Obama has released some names! Oh, he includes squirming room with the word that these “may” be among his future advisors, in his administration. But at least we got some names of people to whom he already is listening and others he may rely on:

Sam Nunn (already)

Richard Holbrooke (already)

William Perry (already)

Richard Lugar

Chuck Hagel

Not a requirement. Iran only need have fission bombs (fusion bombs are unnecessary and in fact are normally “overkill,” albeit spectacular in their effects), and Iran is pursuing fission bombs. It needn't possess ICBMs to be the menace it already is to its “theater” neighbors, and in case it escaped your attention, Iran is pursuing space launch vehicle (SLV) capability, which of course given the “range” of such a rocket system is the underpinning of ICBM capability.

As for Russia, it has shown itself to be a menace — the Bear is back to making mischief — not only to the Georgians. Its government is run by simply the strongest, best-armed, most ambitious gang or mafiya among them all.

Chris we also sold some weapons to Iran…it's unclear how much we supported Iraq as much as just wanting the sides to inflict maximum damage on each other. Kissinger said as much.

And the Mullahs have ruled Iran for about 30 years now without managing to destroy it by being insane. And they would be destroyed instantly, so they wouldn't be able to hurt the West. If Iran was developing fusion bombs and ICBMs then let's talk, but that they are possibly developing fission bombs with no adequate delivery system is hardly a reason to start a war.

If we want to judge countries by their forebears, we should have nothing to do with Turkey, Italy, Germany, Japan, Spain, France or England for starters.

The mullahs in Iran have never been in an offensive war of any kind, and support a subset of the power structure in two tiny countries (OK one is a territory).

Gee, you would think different responses for different circumstances would considered a good thing, and it likely would, if it didn't provide for another reason to bash Bush.

Great comparison of our response to two similar statements.

I think it would be a great question to ask “Holly In Cincinnati” and the other neo-cons who rave on this site and others whenever the pipsqueak from Iran makes a comment about Israel.

Holly,

Why should Iran's comments of “wiping Israel off the face of the map” be taken seriously, while Russia's comments of taking military action against any of their neighbors who allow American missile defense systems near their borders not be taken seriously?

Holly

Any random neo-con

anyone

anyone

Bueller

Bueller

Of course McCain will be getting advice from advisors (well, one advisor, but maybe more) who is (or was) paid by Georgia and is still in that country's pocket…. Hardly a “US first” approach. Particularly since McCain does see Russia as the threat.

When Iran tells the world that they will “wipe Israel off the face of the map”

Of course you know that Iran didn't tell the world that…

But anyways, you're right if I'm interpreting you correctly. There is little to be gained from putting these missile shields in former Warsaw Pact countries, a lot to be lost. A new Cold War would not be good for anyone.

And then by what logic could we prevent Putin from putting missiles into Cuba as he as threatened to do?