The Issue(s) that Won't Go Away

Now that Russia has declared that the Czech plans to host an American/Nato missile defense radar system are a "big mistake", it is hard to ignore the significance. I've talked about this many times as this is clearly the local issue here that garners the most international attention.

To review, a majority of Czechs oppose this plan, according to polls. However, the most respected Czech, our former president, Vaclav Havel not only supports it, but went so far as to sign a petition in support of the plan.

One of the most convincing arguments in support of the plan which I came up with myself but also heard echoed by a villager on television is this: "The communists are against it, so therefore I'm for it." That seems pretty logical.

But in any case, this is an issue with many dimensions and pitfalls and solutions are not forthcoming with ease. I'd be very pleased to hear your thoughts on this.

P.S. I'm very sorry for not getting back to your very thoughtful comments. Rest assured that I'm reading them and I appreciate them very much. I simply haven't time to keep up with them or with regular blogging.