Hi Lowell & All,

We have to be realistic when looking at all the different avenues prediction has taken over time and what is in the developmental stages today. When we look at the state of affairs, primarily financial affairs today, in Russia, anything they may be working on should be given some latitude in that they are able to work on any kind of project.

I like that saying, "let's not throw the baby out with the bath water." The Russians made it into space first and if they get into prediction with some good results it might spur our government to put a little bit more money into our geo-sciences research as well.

Let us hope they get better over time, we could all benefit from their success in the end, no matter how it comes about.

Petra (woman of Russian lineage)