what Biden said about Russia was a continuation of what Obama said

[ensho]

after his trip to Russia. Obama said Putin had one foot in the past and one foot in the future.

Russia has one more huge problem - alcoholism.

there are villages, towns, cities in Russia that barely manage because of alcoholism.

govt. bureaus that barely function because of alcoholism.

it does not make the media much but there are reports describing the problem.

[Bumblebee]

1. Biden is a terrible diplomat; totally unfit because he shoots his mouth too

much -- and I like the guy. He has undermined both Obama and H. Clinton with this. Commenting on how beautiful women are in Ukraine is just his problem -- this is a headache for all. As to Russia, it has deeper problems than the ones you list. There are journalists and human rights activists killed on a regular basis; there is no freedom of expression for the GLBT community; there are racist policies against people from Georgia, Armenia, et al, to name just a few -- it's not a pretty picture -- but saying all these things -- in Georgia, of all places -- only stiffens their national pride. Not a constructive way to go.

[ensho]

2. Biden is VP not a diplomat and I like the way he talks and

I only spoke about one problem, not 'problems' - alcoholism

which is holding back their govt. from making much progress.

[Bumblebee]

3. when he goes to other countries and makes statements, he has to be

a diplomat or he undermines his president.