Russia is conducting a major invasion of Georgia while the worlds is distracted by the Oympics in China. This is a big deal, folks. Russia is using tank divisions, ballistic missiles, naval forces and strategic bombers to re-establish their hegemony over a neighboring country. It's the Cold War coming back in an over way. The Russians want Ukraine, too and most of the former Soviet satellites back. They want their superpower status back and the US is weaker than it has been since the end of the Cold War. All the talk in Europe right now is about the resurgence of Russia under Putin. It's definitely invigorating NATO and their annoyance at the US misadventures in Iraq are being overshadowed by returning fears of Russian military threats. This is a historic turning point that absolutely must be resisted by The West. Our President should have jetted back to Washington yesterday to demonstrate our concern and manage this crisis. For all our fears of terrorism, that threat absolutely pales in comparison with the threat of Russia and their huge nuclear arsenal. But George W. Bush bicycles and sightsees in China and watches vollyball competition. Unbelieveable!
I'm not sure that's what is going on there. The Georgian province being invaded seems to not want to be part of Georgia. It could be like Iraq, where the country lines don't match ethnic territory. Russia is not trying to take over Georgia, just the piece on the Russian border. Then there is an oil pipeline over there. It's ugly, but all wars are ugly.
In defense of Bush...What good would it do for him to be back stateside? His staff is working on it. He's pretty well set up over there to do what he can. And...Putin himself is in China with Bush when this started. How would being in Washington be better that where he's at? I do agree that this is a serious issue and can not believe that any true, red blooded, American would ever side with Russia over anyone..but watching CNN yesterday made me sick. The president of Georgia was on, pleading for help, and was treated like crap. Rule of thumb..."Russia is always wrong and what's in their best interest is never in ours". Georgia will never be able to hold the Russian army at bay...but, Red, what can we do? If we send troops over to intervene..Say hello to WWIII. Diplomacy will not work here. Russia seems hell bent on taking their entire country over.
When the mexicans outnumber the Americans in Texas and Arizona, will we let them rejoin mexico? The people of this province were Georgian before they were granted duel citizenship by Russia. Read up on the history in this region. You'll see that Russia has always caused unrest and what they're doing now is against established, international, law.
There is another problem in the world so it must either be global warming or George Bush's fault. Fortunately we'll soon have Hope & Change and everything in the world will be wonderful again. :nope:
Georgia is a soverign country and it deserves to handle its internal politics without being invaded again by the Russians. Who says? They are bombing the entire country, have established air superiority over the entire country and tank units have reached as far as the Black seas ports, far from the mountain province that is in rebellion. They bombed the civilian intrrnational airport this morning.
It's his responsibility, Salty. He needs to send a message that we think that this is more important than a vollyball game. Putin is no longer the President of Russia. We have to back them down like we have before. We have to react like it is serious to us. This is a country that Bush backs being admitted to NATO! If they join NATO, then we'll be obligated to defend them. Russia is trying to preempt that and present us with a fait accompli. Diplomacy can work if we stand firm about Georgia remaining democratic and the Russians withdrawing. This is an invasion on the scale of Afghanistan in 1979 or Checkoslavakia in 1968. We have to oppose it and back georgia. We have 2000 troops on the ground there training Georgians already. We helped the Afghans defeat the Russians and we may have to do it again. Russia will want the Ukraine next and that we absolutely cannot allow to go uncontested. The Russians are testing Bush's lame duck staus and counting on him doing nothing. He has to stand up and be Ronald Reagan right now. Being a pussy will not help America nor the Republicans in November.
He might as well be and you know it. I agree...We should not be allowing this to happen. The longer it goes on, the more entrenched the russians will be. We're good..but 2000 vs. 1.5 million isn't good odds.
I'd rather have 2000 US military with 1.5 million bullets than 1.5 million Russians with 2000 bullets.
