Comments on: Obama in Russia

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:28:14 +0000

I initially thought Cohen’s formulation of the state of the relationship — second Cold War; ‘62-like proxy crisis in ‘08 Georgia — grandiose and overdramatic. I actually feared Cohen had been co-opted into the Georgia lobby itself, using such epic descriptors for the situation (how out of touch is that?). I could not have been more wrong. By the end of the program I was completely sold on Cohen’s view of the direness of the need for changes to the U.S. approach. U.S. policymakers have one American force to reckon with for the foreseeable future on Russia: Stephen A. Cohen.

Brian Martin: your point seems to be not that Bush didn’t cause major damage to the relationship, but that we should all just forget about it, move on, and not mention it. Well, sir, that’s just lame, that’s what that is.

By: Norman Chapman

Norman Chapman — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:55:47 +0000

Tom, whenever you have high profile guests like Zbigniew Brzezinski and Stephen Cohen discussing major issues, please let them have a face down. You do a diservice to your listeners and the guests when like with the above two subjects, you have, in this case Cohen, literally get away with murder and near defamantion of character while Brzezinski is not there live to defend his point and himself.
Don’t give the old excuse about not “enough time,” to get around the matter. It rather looked like a deliberate construction on your part to give Cohen the last blow.
That last “dig” by Cohen about in effect saying Brzezinski was his College teacher and still suffering the effects of actually experiencing the brutality of the Soviet regime and thereby having his opinion colored by his experiences is as low as it could get.
Cohen is a wily actor. He goes on right-wing shows like the weekend one on WABC radio and drinks from their cup, then comes on your show and feigns objectivity.
He plays a game and you seem to a willing participant. I think he probably wants a job in the Obama administration, hence his criticism, but they’re on to him.

By: Brian Martin

Brian Martin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:10:20 +0000

My response to Putney.

Putney… Just like a liberal. You can’t put down any fact’s to back your argument so you have to start off with the name calling and the belittling of people.

I didn’t say 47% of the taxpayers don’t want to…I asked why should they be forced to…

We need a strong military not a taxpayer supported liberal filled radio station. How would you like it if you found out any part of your taxes supported shows like Rush Limbaugh , Sean Hannity’s , or even Democracy Now radio programs…Not very much would you?

I would rather support a strong military with my tax money so as to protect your freedom of speech so you can continue with your so called adult behavior of calling me names.

Brian Martin
Southern Pines, NC

By: Brian Martin

Brian Martin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:08:42 +0000

My response to James.

James…I did listen to all of Stephen Cohen’s remarks. I was referring to the things he said about George Bush’s policy causing the distrust of the United States by Russia which in turned caused the bland Obama visit. I did not mention anything he said about Reagan or Clinton. Maybe you should READ my whole statement and not ASSUME before commenting about it. Praising Reagan or indicting Clinton does not take away what was Cohen said about Bush.

And about moving on…It seems to me that the liberal agenda is still stuck on demonizing George Bush. If you would listen to Tom Ashbrook on his shows about politics. If he can’t draw an indictment of Bush from his guest’s or “callers”, he sounds so frustrated and irritated that they don’t agree with his hatred of Bush. But on the other hand when he does have guests who do (which is 90%, look where most of the shows guest come from…liberal media, liberal think tanks, etc.) Tom’s pure glee and excitement is so intense it is sickening.

I’ll move on when they do.

Brian Martin
Southern Pines, NC

By: links for 2009-07-08 « Lasting Impression

links for 2009-07-08 « Lasting Impression — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:25:02 +0000

[...] Obama in Russia – On Point with Tom Ashbrook Last summer, it was all but proxy war between the United States and Russia. Russian troops in neighboring Georgia. Washington’s rhetoric on fire. [...]

By: M

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:13:48 +0000

Thanks to Kochevnik for his comments clarifying some details. We need more commentary like this.

By: Putney Swope

Putney Swope — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 04:24:38 +0000

Brian Martin you sound delusional. Your rant is so misplaced and bizarre. How do you know if all of the 47% of Americans taxpayers don’t want have a minuscule percentage of their tax dollars going towards public radio.
Do you know them personally? Are they all your friends on Facebook or something.

The other thing I don’t like huge percentages of my tax dollars going towards the military, I think we spend to much on it, so what am I too do? Rant like a 8 year old spoiled brat like you do or act like an adult and write to my representatives to let them know my sentiments.

By: James

James — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:42:34 +0000

Brian Martin failed to listen to much of what Cohen had to say- including his praise of Ronald Reagan and several indictments of the Clinton era policy.

Mr Martin. if you havent listened to the program in it’s entirety then perhaps you shouldnt try to comment- it doesnt make your veiwpoint seem credible.

George Bush has history to judge him- hatred of him is irrelevant. We are moving on – so should you.

By: Brian Martin

Brian Martin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:09:10 +0000

“Ageement”…so I’m a maroon at typing and putting apostrophe’s where they don’t belong…

Brian Martin
Southern Pine’s, NC

By: Brian Martin

Brian Martin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:50:08 +0000

Oh poor little booboo…Obama didn’t get treated as a savior in Russia so Tom Ashbrook has to have a guest who can keep Tom’s agenda (Ashbrook’s forever lasting hatred of George Bush) alive.

Stephen Cohen’s accusations that it was Bush policies on why Obama was “dissed” without reason’s on why NATO was expanded is just another attempt by this show, it’s host, and NPR to keep the burning hatred of George Bush stoked.

We all know that the “P” in NPR stands for Progressive… Why should 47% of american taxpayers be forced to pay for this liberal drool ?

Oh one more thing.

Why didn’t President Bush attend Michael Jackson’s funeral?..He must be a racist!!!!….Oh that’s right Bush is not the president anymore…

Obama must be a racist and hates black people for his blatant disrespect for the king of pop….and don’t tell me the Russian visit was planned way ahead of Jackson’s death is the reason for his not attending…. All the non-ageement agreements made could of been phoned in…what a maroon.

Brian Martin
Southern Pines, NC

By: Natalia Dashkovskaya

Natalia Dashkovskaya — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:12:44 +0000

Tom,
Thank you for an excellent program tonight. I was very impressed to hear that at least somebody in America (thank you Mr.Cohen! I am going to order your book ) shared a view that I have on Russian-American relationship. I am originally from Eastern Ukraine and my mother still lives there. I am so sick and tired of all these attacks on Russia including it’s “mistreatment” of Ukraine and supposed aggression in Georgia. Do Americans even know that the majority of Ukrainian population don’t want to be in NATO? Every poll in Ukraine confirms that joining NATO is not supported by the most of its people but only by the Ukrainian president and his supporters in Western Ukraine.
I agree that America lost chance benefitting from being equal partners with Russia when she feasted on the glory of “winning the cold war” and desired to see Russia subservient. This is a clear case of “winning the battle but losing the war”.
I am also glad that you brought Mr.Brzezinski in – it made the program well balanced. Even though I think he perceives Russia as it is still in Stalin’s era.

By: Joe B.

Joe B. — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:10:18 +0000

Sorry for your loss Tom.

By: Stan

Stan — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:03:01 +0000

Cohen is right about the disregard the Clinton administration had toward the Russians – it was obvious even to casual observers: witness how Russia was treated during NATO’s Kosovo offensive.

The end of the Cold War was America’s first big moment blown to have forged a new international, multilateral consensus. The second huge missed opportunity was 9/11.

Now, years after celebrating how the Afghan freedom fighters were so invaluable in breaking the Soviet back, Russia is allowing the US to ship supplies to Afghanistan across its territory. How ironic.

By: McLaughlin, Matt

McLaughlin, Matt — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:16:43 +0000

Thought Cohen was excellent. I never did believe
RR ended anything. When the Berlin Wall went up it put Soviet tanks out of sight and gave the West German currency a definite space to be traded. I am so sick and tired of America brow beating Russia on how to rule.
I’m looking forward to USA minding its own business, soon and burying its white horse in the back yard.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:58:30 +0000

great show tom,

enjoyed listening to Stephen Cohen point of view and him talking about georgia involvement last year.

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:08:25 +0000

The machinations of NATO have nothing to do with Russia anymore, except inasmuch as the Russians have an emotional reaction to the historical function of NATO, and the Russians see that NATO bases on their border in some way threaten their security. Why should it? Actually, shouldn’t Russia JOIN NATO so that they can play their due part in matters that concern everyone, like Afghanistan?

By: MARY ANN ARSENAULT

MARY ANN ARSENAULT — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:01:40 +0000

This is the first time I have listened to your program. What an excellent discussion of US-Russian relations. It has been a long time since I have heard anything so well thought out, and in such depth. I loved that you had Brzezinski and Cohen to bookend the program. I feel like I learned so much in this hour, and I have far more appreciation from where Russia is coming from, and what our role can be with them. Thank you.

By: Bogs

Bogs — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:58:33 +0000

Obama, Zbig and Cohen should tell us if Putin and Medvedev want Palestine or Iran to negotiate first? Am very curious…

By: Richard

Richard — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:58:17 +0000

“HA! Tell that to the Poles, Finns, Lithuanians, Chechens, Circassians, Turkmen, Kazakhs, Manchurians…”

The Afghans…

Cohen was and is brilliant as was Zbig. I liked hearing them both and it’s a fascinating time.

Thanks Tom, fascinating show.

By: Kochevnik

Kochevnik — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:50:23 +0000

Eleni – “All wars of Imperial Russia were defensive ones”

HA! Tell that to the Poles, Finns, Lithuanians, Chechens, Circassians, Turkmen, Kazakhs, Manchurians…