Sure hope Oleg gets with the program
 

Sure hope Oleg gets with the program and gets his BOB out soon.

We are hearing bad stuff in the states about Russia making threats about US defensive missiles in Poland. The news indicates it is spurred on by a new self-reliance from the new Russian oil wealth. Threats do not build trust between countries or among people.

As an American, the IL2 was a real eye-opener for me. I developed an empathy and understanding about the Russian people and Russia I never had before. I never Knew anything about the Russian war with Germany. It's just not discussed in the US, nor ever was. There was never interest in anything Soviet, principally because of Stalin and the cold war.

Some of the great Russian heros, i.e., Pokriskinin became heros to guys like me. I've bought many books about the Russan air war all from participating with the rest of the world of combat flight simmers with the IL2. Honestly, I look on Russian heros... as heros.

I think most Americans no longer look at Russia as "the enemy". It has taken so many years for these sentiments to be realized in America, it will be a darned shame for anti-Russian sentiment to develop again.

There was a nice guy visiting on dad's day at my son's school. He had a son in the school... This fellow spoke English fairly well and was from Ukraine. There was also a grandfather who was very cordial to this fellow as well... The grandfather had immigrated to America from Ukraine 45 years ago.

It was a very pleasant exchange and I can tell you there was no ill-will or anti-Soviet feelings between us. This is good, and guys like Oleg have done a alot to make relations between Russia and alot of other countries better... with a game.

IMO, I want to be friends with Russia and sure don't want to start the cold war over.

In any case, I hope Oleg gets the BOB done before the "#$#@ hits the fan"

How would you feel if Russia put defensive missiles in Canada?

"I never Knew anything about the Russian war with Germany. It's just not discussed in the US, nor ever was."

There lies the problem^

Great post!
Why are American missiles in Poland anyway? Just what are they defending?

Officialy, NATO's borders. Really, they're just testing if the bear is still awake, same as the talk about Ukraina added to NATO.

A broad statement. It is discussed and taught. To state it is not is untrue. Now maybe in your neck of the woods or the curriculum that was used you didn't have it. But as far back as the 6th grade I was learning about ww2 and the USSR's involvement. The scorched earth policy, Red October etc. Of course in college things were further expanded on.

It's all a bunch of Sabre Rattling. As far as the cold war it's good it is gone but, the world it seemed was a much safer place back when we knew all the Soviet nuclear material was accounted for...

WWTaco, it's next to irelevant the fact that there exists some academic interest. The guy said that it's not discussed, and the ones who dared were witchhunted as commie-lovers 'till the middle of the sixties, if not even right to these days. And if I don't make a mistake, more that 50% of the americans live „in the neck of the woods”, as proven in the last 8+ years.

And I guess no side talks too much besides the „official” lines; not about the napalm-bombing (disguised under the term „strategic bombing”) from the brittish and the americans, nor about the rape and pillage (remember the multiple watches?) which came with the russian „liberating” army, in each and every country en route to Berlin.

I totally agree we don't need another cold war but Bush is stoking those fires with his missile defence screen and in turn its pissing of the Russians. Parallels can be drawn with the Iron curtain but the other way round this time.

Mondo, Nearmiss, I agree with you, but it's not just Bush. Both the USA and Russia have been testing each other for a very long time now. Russia's been sending out Tu-95 patrols which supposedly keep violating political airspace. Most recently a Tu-95 was turned back from Japan.

Now, putting missiles in Poland is a pretty hefty thing to do, much heftier than sending recon patrols (that is, if the 'Bears" aren't loaded) over other countries, but each country is stoking the fires each way it knows how. We're all to blame.
Just hang on a few more months. The Bush Dynasty is almost over and everyone can go take their little naps. Quite frankly, it doesn't matter who we elect, if you hate America now you'll hate America after November. All I ask is that, while you may hate the policy, don't hate on the people. We're more alike than you may realize.

Please be careful making such grand generalizations. I have been reading about and discussing the Eastern Front since the 1960s since age 13. I'm sure I am not alone.

You have not heard?

They would be defending Europe even though Europe has not asked to be defended.