START primarily calls for a nuclear arms reduction between both countries. The United States as well as Russia will be cut their nuclear stockpiles by about 30%. In addition, the treaty also gives each nation special inspection powers over the other to make sure procedures and agreements are being followed.
START is not some one-sided Democratic bill. It is a necessity to national security, and a step born by a Republican's ideals. Former President Ronald Reagan ushered the saying "Trust, but verify" as the mindset the U.S. must have when dealing with the Russians. It gives the U.S. tremendous power by being allowed to inspect the one of the world's largest nuclear arsenals. More importantly to mankind, it calls for a significant reduction of nuclear weapons.
The Republicans in the Senate surely know this, but they strive to delay the passage of START so as to rob the Obama administration of any credit. If the bill is pushed back to January, it will be harder to pass as the Democrats will be losing six seats. This is partisan politics at work, where one party refuses to let integral legislation pass under the name of the opposing party.
6 comments:
I completely agree with Jesvin... "This is partisan politics at work, where one party refuses to let integral legislation pass under the name of the opposing party." I would like to add on to this. I also firmly believe that it is more than the GOP's mindset. I would argue that the GOP disagrees with a cut in defenses because after all, isn't our nation at risk from terrorist organizations, rogue states, etc? Either way, it is ridiculous to not pass a treaty that could be (will possibly be) monumental in global nuclear disarmament. I recently attended a MUN conference where delegates debated on nuclear disarmament and nuclear nonproliferation. Although only a simulation, many students who were representing smaller countries and even rising nuclear powers mentioned that such reductions would encourage them to move towards peaceful nuclear technologies as well as disarmament (if they do in fact have nuclear weapons). Although it is unlikely that the United States and Russia will fully disarm any time soon, this is a "crucial nuclear arms reduction treaty" that can spark more national debate and progress towards complete disarmament and uses of peaceful nuclear technologies. Together, the US and Russia have around 95% of the total nuclear arsenal on the globe. They are the nations that need to take the reins and propel this world towards a global zero. Thus, it is quite aggravating that the GOP is creating this supposed "roadblock." This is an issue where compromise is absolutely essential...where differences certainly need to be put aside for the benefits of our future generation, our future energy, and our future world.
Conor poses a very good point. And considering that it would only take about 100-200 nuclear weapons to detonate at one time to start a possible nuclear winter, a 30% reduction would definetally do humanity some good in eliminating over 6,000 missiles. And with both countries being able to monitor each other's progress and procedure, I definetally believe that this would aid our relations factor with Russia, which will ultimatelly be better in the long run. So if the bettering of humanity is the subject at hand, I really don't think that ideological differences should get in the way of the greater good.
The massive buildup of nuclear arms by both the United States and Russia has reached ridiculous levels. I'm sure anyone in Mr. McGlashan's AP US History class can remember his demonstration with the beads on the tin container. One bead hitting the container represented the nuclear power of the combined nuclear arms of the US and the Soviet Union. Then, the students were instructed to close their eyes as Mr. McGlashan poured a seemingly endless barrage of beads into the tin can, making a constant stream of noise. This demonstration was aimed at showing the class just how enormous our nuclear stockpiles have become.
Clearly, we need to have a nuclear reduction plan. Like Conor said, it is indeed "ridiculous to not pass a treaty that could be (will possibly be) monumental in global nuclear disarmament." Republicans are so preoccupied in shutting down the Democrats that they lost sight of their duty as members of the federal government: to do what's best for the people.
WHY?!! Politics today (especially Republicans) is (are) driving me crazy! Obama has achieved a pretty great thing, but he is still getting blocked? I have absolutely no faith in our politics anymore.
Wait, you still had faith in politics?
If we did have faith in politics, we wouldn't be making fun of it as we do now adays.
The republicans are basically trying to shape public opinion as of right now.... if they make President Obama look like he hasn't accomplished enough, people will start voting for the opposing party--the GOP-- and increase the chances of winning the next presidential election in 2012. the republicans have taken majority of the house. the democrats still hold on to the majority in the senate and the presidency... but that can all change if public opinion keeps shifting away from Obama.
It's going to take some kind of crisis such as 1995-96 budget crisis to get these guys to compromise again... perhaps the threat entering of war in korea...*knock on world*
-raymond lim
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