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It seems odd that an American president needs to persuade Congress that it should ratify the new START missile treaty.
There was a time when President Ronald Reagan got cheers when he and Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev agreed on the original treaty. This bipartisan foreign policy agreement on nuclear disarmament goes back through five administrations and was ratified five times with support from Republicans and Democrats.
It made sense then, as it makes sense now, to cut production of nuclear missiles and reduce the danger of setting off an expensive, unnecessary arms race when the two countries producing the weapons agree. It was the policy of "trust but verify" that Reagan made his slogan. The danger of setting off a worldwide conflagration was the motivation.
So why are Republican senators making a big deal out of it? It could be that they are in the habit of saying "no" to anything they don't originate. It could be they see this as a way to attack President Barack Obama, whatever the cause. Is this a way to run a country?
Our Georgia senators could honor Reagan's legacy by leading the way. Their basic principles will soon be revealed.
Adele Kushner
Alto