Can We Ever Trust The Russians?

[Ianto.W.]

In the wake of the 'execution' of Alexander Litvinenko, allegedly by Russian agents using deadly Polonium 210, a poison 250 Billion times stronger than cyanide available only from countries with neuclear reactors, can we really ever trust them or will we slip back into a form of cold war? Or was it the Russians, Putin would have us believe that it has been done to discredit his regime and he has nothing to do with it. What do you think?

[jambutty]

I would trust the Russians as far as I would trust the Yanks and for my money the Yanks are the biggest threat to world peace.

I doubt if we shall ever know if the Alexander Litvinenko affair was an ‘execution’ or not and by whom.

The only fact that we know is that Alexander Litvinenko is now dead. At first the ‘experts’ positively stated that he was poisoned with Thalium. Then there was a hint of radiation poisoning and now it is alleged that he was irradiated with Polonium 210.

Putin denies any involvement but then would we expect him to hold his hand up and say otherwise?

Whatever the real reason for his death, if it ever comes out, you can bet your sweet life that it will somehow be tagged onto ID Cards.

[SPUGGIE J]

I see political intrigue is not dead. To think this is more like the cold war era than the new era. Whatever happend will never really be understood but since when has anything aligned to politics been simple. It could have easily been an execution from someone he has crossed other than the "alledged" Putin involvement. Hell even the bods at MI5 could have done it.

Unfortunately there are so many ways to top a guy that a govenment dosnt need to be directly involved. If man is good at one thing its killing his fellow man. Was there Russian involvement only they know and if involved they aint gonna brag about it. This does ring of the assasination of the Hungarian dissident (forgot his name) back in '74.

[WillowTheWhisp]

No doubt numerous conspiracy theories will abound.

[Ianto.W.]

Personally I do not think Putin ordered the execution of Litvinenko, he was not really important enough to be a threat to him, Britain need the vast oil and gas on offer and will have to be satisfied with tut tutting, more like the work of the commercial mafioso who have never been afraid to silence thier critics.

[Tealeaf]

Originally Posted by jambutty

IThe only fact that we know is that Alexander Litvinenko is now dead. At first the ‘experts’ positively stated that he was poisoned with Thalium. Then there was a hint of radiation poisoning and now it is alleged that he was irradiated with Polonium 210.

.

I take it Jambutty is/was an 'expert' in forensic medicine, pathology and nuclear physics?

[silvermain]

No but he can read a paper

[jambutty]

Much obliged silvermain I can read a newspaper but I don’t.

I do listen to the regular news bulletins on the wireless (note the olde worlde term) and watch the news on TV.

[Less]

I wonder what real news is being buried under this throw back to the sixties, 'Red under the Bed', propaganda?

[chav1]

well roy has been in perfect health for some time so hes been looked after ok

i trust em

note to roy:

avoid drinks that glow in teh dark especialy after a row with the mrs

[SPUGGIE J]

A very rare element in nature, polonium is found in uranium ores at about 100 micrograms per metric ton (1:1010). Its natural abundance is approximately 0.2% of the abundance of radium.
In 1934 an experiment showed that when natural 209Bi is bombarded with neutrons, 210Bi, which is the parent of polonium, was created. Polonium may now be made in milligram amounts in this procedure which uses high neutron fluxes found in nuclear reactors. Only about 100 grams is believed to be produced each year, making polonium exceedingly rare.

Thallium (IPA: /ˈθaliəm/) is a chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Tl and atomic number 81.[1] This soft gray malleable poor metal resembles tin but discolors when exposed to air. Thallium is highly toxic and is used in rat poisons and insecticides but since it might also cause cancer (although the EPA does not class it as carcinogen), this use has been cut back or eliminated in many countries. It is also used in infrared detectors.[2] It has even been used in some murders, earning the nicknames "The Poisoner's Poison" and "Inheritance powder" (alongside arsenic).

[chav1]

short version..

you drink it your screwed

[LancYorkYankee]

After years and years of proven History, is there any government body that can be trusted? Who really knows what goes on behind those closed doors be it Washington, DC, the Kremlin, 10 Downing Street, etc,.

My first real taste of Government letdown was the Watergate scandal. As a young teen, I had a hard time seeing my "trusted" leader straight up lying. I guess it was just a way to thrust me into reality.

In spite of the above (and not to cause an uproar), I have absolutely zero trust in any Communist Regime. I believe history would support this conclusion.

Brian

[Less]

Originally Posted by LancYorkYankee

In spite of the above (and not to cause an uproar), I have absolutely zero trust in any Communist Regime. I believe history would support this conclusion.

Brian

Excuse me? But which Communist regime? The Berlin Wall came down in '89 and (soviet) communism collapsed at the same time didn't it? or am I living in a different world to you?

[Ianto.W.]

spuggie, A very rare element in nature, polonium is found in uranium ores at about 100 micrograms per metric ton (1:1010). Its natural abundance is approximately 0.2% of the abundance of radium.

Without wanting to complicate matters to much, Marie Curie descovered Polonium, the element was named after the place of her birth Poland. It is used in the 'triggers' of nuclear devices, a highly toxic and dangerous substance that non but the irresponsible would even consider using outside of the laboratory.