A short history of democracy.

[liberty]

Jim, do you remember talk in Democratic circles during the Carter presidency concerning the shipping of large scale tribute I mean food aid to the Soviet Union ?

[Scooter]

Do you mean as opposed to the ACTUAL shipment of large scale food aid to the Soviet Union during the Bush presidency?

You do realize that the Soviets purchased U.S. grain and other agricultural products for many years before the beginning of the Carter administration, and that Carter imposed an embargo on the sale of grain to the Soviet Union in response to the invasion of Afghanistan.

Or did what laughably passes for your "memory" block out those FACTS in favour of your fantasy version of history, as always?

[Scooter]

If you actually care which president aided the Russians with grain sales at the expense of the U.S. consumer:

The 1972 U.S.-Soviet grain deal was an economic Bay of Pigs for the Nixon administration. Henry A. Kissinger '50 led the ill-planned and uncoordinated foray into Soviet economic policy which resulted in disastrous consequences for U.S. markets and international prestige...

...on July 8, 1972, Kissinger announced the United States and the Soviet Union had just signed the largest trade agreement ever made between the two countries. The Soviets agreed, with the aid of $500 million of short-term U.S. credit, to purchase $750 million of grain during the next three years. The U.S. required the Soviet Union to purchase at least $200 million of grain within the first year...

Unlike the previous U.S.-Soviet grain deals which limited the sale to grain store in governments elevators, the 1972 deal gave the USSR direct entry into domestic markets. In August the Russians sent a group of traders who, working with large American grain exporters and holding secret hotel-room meetings in Chicago and New York, were able to make huge grain purchases for future delivery without disturbing the general market.

One month later, USDA experts discovered the Soviet Union had purchased its full three-year $750 million grain allotment. The USSR had bought one-fourth of the 1972-73 wheat crop and large quantities of corn and soybeans, the nation's chief feed grains. The quantity of their purchase surprised USDA officials who had miscalculated Soviet needs.

When news of the Soviet purchases spread through the grain world and domestic shortages began to appear, wheat prices doubled. Because the Soviets bought early and at low prices, the American consumer rather than the Russian government had to pay high prices. About one-half the beef inflation and $200 million in higher bread costs can be traced to the market effects of the Soviet grain deal.

But hey, why confuse yourself with the facts, which your microscopic brain is incapable of retaining.

[Andrew D]

And God runs a distant second to Ronald "Where Is The Constitution of the United States That I May Wipe My Ass With It?" Reagan.