War

[Freak Out]

Georgia is asking the US to back up it's promise to help defend a potential NATO member in a time of need. It's not going to happen obviously...George and Vlad were hanging at the Olympic opening ceremonies and I heard it was brought up ( Ha ha ha..) but there is no way we get involved Militarily at this time.

[BallHawk]

We need to backup Georgia, though. They're big time Western, big time Democratic. Can't let Russia crush them.

I doubt this will escelate to war, but this would be a "conflict" worth getting involved with.

[SkinBasket]

Jumping into a war against Russia isn't really an option. I wonder where the outraged international community is right now.

[BallHawk]

Jumping into a war against Russia isn't really an option. I wonder where the outraged international community is right now.

It's a conflict not a war. Or maybe it's a crisis. Whatever you do, just don't use the "W" word.

[Freak Out]

Jumping into a war against Russia isn't really an option. I wonder where the outraged international community is right now.

There is no way we get involved in a forceful way at any time...even if Russia annexed all of Georgia.

[Harlan Huckleby]

We need to backup Georgia, though. They're big time Western, big time Democratic. Can't let Russia crush them.

I doubt this will escelate to war, but this would be a "conflict" worth getting involved with.

I think Georgia has a pretty corrupt government, although I haven't kept up. Georgia has a republic within it that wants independence from Georgia. mostly Russians living there . Plus there is the complication of their ongoing border dispute with Alabama. (sorry, that was lame.)

anyway, it way beyond anything we can influence.

[Freak Out]

We need to backup Georgia, though. They're big time Western, big time Democratic. Can't let Russia crush them.

I doubt this will escelate to war, but this would be a "conflict" worth getting involved with.

I think Georgia has a pretty corrupt government, although I haven't kept up. Georgia has a republic within it that wants independence from Georgia. mostly Russians living there . Plus there is the complication of their ongoing border dispute with Alabama. (sorry, that was lame.)

anyway, it way beyond anything we can influence.

Both parties have been fighting over separatist provinces in Georgia since the breakup of the USSR...it's just getting much more serious today with Russia sending in a couple of tank battalions into South Ossetia backed with some major air support. This can turn real ugly if the west doesn't really rattle some cages...and a few Sabers even.

[BallHawk]

We need to backup Georgia, though. They're big time Western, big time Democratic. Can't let Russia crush them.

I doubt this will escelate to war, but this would be a "conflict" worth getting involved with.

I think Georgia has a pretty corrupt government, although I haven't kept up. Georgia has a republic within it that wants independence from Georgia. mostly Russians living there . Plus there is the complication of their ongoing border dispute with Alabama. (sorry, that was lame.)

anyway, it way beyond anything we can influence.

Does Georgia have a corrupt government? Not as much as one would expect. Saakashvili is a pretty good dude, even though there were those protests against the govt. back in '07. For a former USSR state, Georgia's going pretty good (way better than the shit they got going on in Ukraine)

I think that letting Russia do what it may would be a very poor decision. To leave a former USSR state and let Russia bully it around sends a bad message to these countries that are trying to align themselves with the US and democracy.

That being said, I dont' know what we should do. The US and Russia are already on pretty thin ice and you don't wanna push things any farther. It'd help if Putin wasn't behind the scenes using Medvedev as his puppet, but that's how it goes.

It's a tough one, but I'm certain that we just can't sit here with our arms folded.

[GoPackGo]

Why can't we just sit here with our arms folded? Our national security is not being threatened by Russia. There are other countries in the world to help keep world peace, go knock on their door.

[BallHawk]

Why can't we just sit here with our arms folded? Our national security is not being threatened by Russia. There are other countries in the world to help keep world peace, go knock on their door.

Believe me, I'm definitely not an advocate of America's being the world's policeman, going from country to country spreading democracy. However, sometimes you just gotta step in and fight for the little guy. And Russia is not a national security threat at this time, but our history with the Russians show how fast things can deteriorate.

But this isn't about national security. It's about a large world power (a power that is leaning back towards it's old ways) trying to suppress a pro-democratic government.

[GoPackGo]

Believe me, I'm definitely not an advocate of America's being the world's policeman, going from country to country spreading democracy. However, sometimes you just gotta step in and fight for the little guy.

Politically yes, militarily no

[BallHawk]

Believe me, I'm definitely not an advocate of America's being the world's policeman, going from country to country spreading democracy. However, sometimes you just gotta step in and fight for the little guy.

Politically yes, militarily no

What can we do politically? UN won't do anything considering Russia is on the Security Council as well as China who will back Russia to the death. Outside of that, what else is there? Russia will keep on trucking, no matter what words are said.

It's too early to say that the US should get involved militarily, but if peacekeepers are sent and nothing is resolved than you've got an issue on your hands.

[GoPackGo]

What do you mean when you say the United States should step in and fight for the little guy? If we aren't sending over political peacekeepers than how else can we step in and fight?

[Tyrone Bigguns]

Why can't we just sit here with our arms folded? Our national security is not being threatened by Russia. There are other countries in the world to help keep world peace, go knock on their door.

Go...our president has stated numerous times that democracy is of the utmost importance. Gonna look pretty bad if he doesn't do anything..only fuels the international sentiment that we aren't interested in democracy...only our interests.

"It is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world," Bush said in his inaugural address after his swearing-in ceremony.

"We are led, by events and common sense, to one conclusion: The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world.

"America's vital interests and our deepest beliefs are now one."

Bush called the quest for freedom "the urgent requirement of our nation's security, and the calling of our time."

"We will persistently clarify the choice before every ruler and every nation -- the moral choice between oppression, which is always wrong, and freedom, which is eternally right."

"When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you. Democratic reformers facing repression, prison or exile can know: America sees you for who you are -- the future leaders of your free country," Bush said.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

Surprisingly lack of conservs on this thread...rubber meets the road...where are they now?