"Any Spots Changing?"

I remember the expression "A leopard cannot change its' spots", a pretty accurate axiom. Behavior is a very tough thing to alter, especially after a number of years of a bad habit, or anti-social actions. I've heard that "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" and this is also a really good observation. How many times have you seen things that were meant for good, turn into something that is the polar opposite?

In the United Nations, the United States sits on the Security Council, along with England, France, Red China and Russia. This council has the power to veto many U.N. decisions, and it was designed to maintain stability around the world; this sounds like a pretty good idea, yet it has failed to work!

Ronald Reagan helped rid the world of communism by aiding in the collapse of the Soviet Union. We now have the Russian Republic, as it is. I'm not sure a huge change has really taken place in this republic by the current leadership. Old ideas and a feeling of hatred toward the United States seem to continue in the rhetoric that comes from "Mother Russia". Russia also out-smarted the United States with the START agreement, aiding in the dismantling of our Eastern European Defense Shield, then threatening to void their acceptance of the treaty. Does this sound a little like the Soviet Union to you? I remember Nikita Khrushchev saying "We will bury you" to Richard Nixon when he was Vice-President, in regards to the American economy; and believe me, old Nikita meant it!

Vladimir Putin, the Russian Prime Minister, was speaking to some Russian youth a couple of days ago at a gathering near Moscow, and his message was all too familiar to some of us "old folks". Putin said America is like a group of parasites on the world economy, and our monetary policy is "hooliganism" and our dollar threatens markets around the planet. In all honesty, the American economy has been in better shape, but for scores of years the American economy has carried the rest of the world on its shoulders, and I don't remember too many complaints back then, with the possible exception of Communist China and the Soviet Union.

Vladimir Putin is a virtual "lock" in the next Russian Presidential election, and he certainly is making noises like "Old Nikita" in his speeches. The Republic of Russia sounds like a good idea, but I think it is having a tough time catching on. When Vladimir Putin takes over (when, not if), what will the former KGB CHIEF do? Remember what I said about "good intentions" and "leopards changing their spots", and don't be too surprised by Vladimir's actions when he takes power. "WE WILL BURY YOU!"

(I have an early appointment Friday, so I will see you on Monday! T.P.)