Exactly. Your non-stealth supersonic bomber has never actually faced American weapons before, because the Russians are afraid of conflict. So we have no way of knowing how well it performs.

Being "supersonic" is not impressive...that technology is decades old, and almost everyone has access to it.

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My Political Blog (Updated Oct 3rd) - Which Flame Warrior are you?

While normally I agree with you at some level. What's with your thing of picking on the Russians for not getting in some stupid peer war. They haven't had a good reason to do so in quite some time. Closest they've had are cases where they could have fought by proxy by giving a country like Serbia or Iraq their top of the line systems, but it isn't like we're selling even Israel our top of the line stuff like B-2's either.

How am I picking on the Russians?

He is trying to imply American technology is inferior. I respond with the fact that he has no way of knowing that, and explain why. Stating the facts is picking on him?


In the end they are pragmatists....which is what I have said all along. Pragmatists are predictable because they will not engage in an action that does not give them an advantage. The bravado he displays is empty for that reason.

By contrast, Idealists will act for no other reason than to make a moral point. So such threats mean more coming from an idealist.

I should also add that I dont say this in an effort to label Russia as the bad guys. It isnt about good vs evil. Pragmatists can be "good" and idealists can be "evil" (terrorists are idealists). I bring it up only to put his comments into perspective. I dont take threats from Russia (or Russians) seriously unless they actually have something to gain from following through.


We are selling our allies (yes, including Israel) F-35s. The JSF is top-line American technology. Not quite to the level of the F-22, but pretty dаmn close.

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My Political Blog (Updated Oct 3rd) - Which Flame Warrior are you?

I was refering to the "afraid of conflict" and occasional tone. I'll agree they're pragmatists. But I don't know how much they're opposed to conflict when it would be profitable.


Also Israel is helping fund F-35 development so that's a little different. And it's more conventional than our F-22's and B-2's which aren't going anywhere for some time.

What about it? It's true. As pragmatists, they are not going to put themselves at risk unnecessarily. That is why they are afraid of confrontation.


There is no profit that would be worth committing suicide over. And confronting us directly is the equivilent of suicide. They will not confront us unless we threaten them directly. Which of course we would never do, because (contrary to popular belief) we dont wage wars of aggression. Russia is a democracy, and therefore sovereign, and the US will always respect that IMO. Military threat or no.

By contrast, an idealist WOULD commit suicide over a moral issue. So a threat from an idealist should be taken seriously, if they have the means to carry it out.



Why? How much of the technology is Israeli? Its an example of the US selling technology to allies.


The F-35 is a true stealth fighter...more stealthy than the F-117, and far more manuverable than the F-16 or F-15 (and, for that matter, the F-22). It has all our latest electronics, AESA radar, and VTOL capability.

No, it doesnt have the payload/ceiling of the B2 or F-22. But it is definitely in the same league with them technologically. And is superior to any non-American fighter in the world. Yes, I think it counts as top-shelf American technology.

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My Political Blog (Updated Oct 3rd) - Which Flame Warrior are you?

Putin is just acheing for a cold war, isn't he?

I think he wants the power the Communists had in the cold war, but wants the wealth from a free market that trades with the west.

..because you have not any effective weapon to fight them.

Yes, but for technically-illiterate persons only!

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'I trust no one, not even myself.'
Joseph Stalin
'Couldn't agree with you more!'
Sarah Palin

You are not stating facts but only posting your opinions.

You still did not explain, "why". All your arguments one could depict as "US-made is always better than Russian just because it's US-made".

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EU : Portable Stereo AM/FM Radio Cassette Recorder
CIS (Russia) : АМ/ЧМ Stereo Magnitola
US : Boombox (Ghettoblaster)
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'I trust no one, not even myself.'
Joseph Stalin
'Couldn't agree with you more!'
Sarah Palin

To quote a famous sportscaster, "Not so fast my friend". American made anti-air weapons are some of the best made weapons in the world. The Patriot missile battery can defeat any target. And nothing that the Russians have can even compare to AEGIS. It can easily track 100 air, surface, and subsurface threats. This system can shoot down anything, even ballistic missiles

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