WELCOME TO MOSCOW, HILLARY.  HAVE A VODKA - AT 6:33 P.M. ET:  Hillary Clinton, as we noted earlier, zips to Moscow today for another feel-good session with a group of guys who probably talk to Stalin in their dreams. 

And the Russkies are ready with their usual charm, good will, and desire to cooperate with America.  AP reports the love fest:

MOSCOW -- A top Russian general aimed tough remarks at the United States on Monday before Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's visit, reconfirming plans for multiple-warhead missiles and warning Washington that refitting rockets with conventional warheads would raise the risk of nuclear war.

Lt. Gen. Andrei Shvaichenko's comments, quoted by Russian news agencies, come as Moscow and Washington seek to negotiate a replacement for a 1991 arms control treaty that expires at the end of the year. It is a major element in their efforts to mend relations that were badly strained during the Bush administration.

I just love it - "...badly strained during the Bush administration."  You see, it's BUSH (!!).  He's the one!  If it weren't for BUSH (!!) the whole world would do everything we want it to do.

Mrs. Clinton meets Tuesday with President Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Her visit will test Russia's willingness to cooperate on issues, including arms control and Iran's nuclear program, in the wake of President Obama's recent decision to scrap a missile-defense plan that Moscow vehemently opposed.

Gen. Shvaichenko's words appeared designed to remind the United States of Russia's nuclear might and press it to heed Moscow's concerns.

COMMENT:  Can't you just wait for the outcome?  Can't you just wait for the explanations as to why there's really been no progress?

What must be going through Hillary's mind, as she's reduced to the level of a messenger girl for Obama's academic exercises in futility?

But, hey, she's got to provide fodder for the Nobel speech, so maybe there'll be a little something to sign, or a pledge of "further exploration of mutual concerns."

October 12, 2009