From Russia, But Maybe Not With Love.

       There's a thought provoking article in our local paper today about some international news that's buried in section B on page 3. It seems Russia is interested in purchasing a number of properties around the country. The reason for buying these small parcels of land is in order to build satellite and GPS stations in order for them to further develop their own GPS system (global positioning system). It seems the Russians do not have sufficient confidence in our GPS system.
       Now there are any number of reasons for wanting to develop their own GPS systems. For one important reason, such systems has led to spawn new industries and applications. So, for instance, they could help to direct folks to local fast foods, like our system does, track satellites, like ours does and another aid, that of helping to guide missiles. For some unknown reason, they don't want to have to depend on our system. Why do you suppose that is?
       Russia isn't alone in wanting to develop their own GPS system. China wants to have such a system as do a couple of European countries. Now is that a good idea? For everybody to have the ability to more accurately guide weapons of mass destruction to anywhere in the world?  Should we help this to take place? Will refusing to allow it in some way stop us from providing our GPS service to whom we will? Will it disrupt our accuracy? Hey, ours is already up and running fairly smoothly.
       Let's look at some facts and ask some questions. Do we depend on Russia for our system? Could it be potentially harmful to assist Russia in improving on their system? Even though it could come back to bite us? What has Russia done for us lately? Why is it that we need to help Vladimir Putin place his country in a better strategic position? What's he promising in return? Hmmm, it seems I'm short on facts and long on questions. I'm not alone. The U.S. spy services are questioning the idea of allowing this to happen. It's a bit like helping a gunman to load his firearm so he can shoot you more times. I'm not in favor of anybody shooting me.