Barack Obama's campaign is considering a suggestion from John McCain's campaign for the two presidential hopefuls to participate in joint town meetings and debates?. Do you know about this? On Nov. 22, Thanksgiving Day, 2007, two U.S. jets were scrambled from the 90th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska to intercept two Russian long-range strategic bombers (strategic being a euphemism for nuclear-capable) in the skies over the Aleutian Islands as the bombers approached Alaskan air space. The U.S. F-22 jets monitored the Russian Bear H bombers at close range for a few minutes before the bombers turned back. This encounter was one of the consequences of Vladimir Putin's decision, announced last August, to resume regular strategic flights of its nuclear bombers. The Thanksgiving Day encounter was not an isolated incident. And there's no reason a version of them shouldn't be inserted into both parties platforms, along with a pledge for a comprehensive study of our nuclear warning and launch procedures. It's hard to think of anything that should have a higher priority than saving the world from inadvertently destroying itself.

Good comment, Chuck. I would hope that they would discuss it openly. However, I think it is best not to show your cards to the Russkies now or in the future. Just tell them that poking us (poking the bear) is not wise.

Otherwise, the Putins of the world will know what our response would be.

I have a number of topics that I would like both candidates to discuss, together. One would be the meaning of the movie, "Manchurian Candidate."