Our new Vice President told us the President would have a test within 6 months. That is not that unusual, just unusual to tell that to the world. Joe should have helped him study for it though. Perhaps he thought he would have more time. Three months into this administration and every major power in the world has checked him. Iran couldnt wait to launch a satellite as soon as Bush left office. Russia has rebuffed the offer from Washington to help with Iran in exchange for leaving Poland and the Czech Republic out of the missle defense shield. Pakistan has given the Taliban the Swat valley to run. North Korea is poised to launch a satellite and dare us to do anything about it. Finally the Chinease are buzzing our ships in the South China Sea. The world wants to see where they stand with the new President. Things may be more serious now and therefore the tests come faster. What has the responose been so far? Well the Iranian satellite didn't get alot of attention from the administration. The response really seems to be the plea to the Russians for help, citing Iran as the missle threat to Europe. Obama recently expressed a willingness to negotiate with the Taliban in Afghanistan, following the Pakistani lead. North Korea is a serious threat but Kim Jong Ill, like all dictators, acts like a bully. The response to this one is, we can shoot it down if we wanted too, like kids on a playground. Certinly do not expect too much rebuke of the Chinease. Clinton just left China and avoided the human rights issue besides we need them to buy our bonds. This policy is definatly change of direction...just seems to be a wrong turn.