War

[bobblehead]

Ballhawk for the first time looked young and naive to me by thinking we would get involved to defend the helpless. We haven't done shit in Africa for how long?? Because they don't have oil=capital to develope nukes...but they do have a lot of injustice going on.

How many world superpowers are there in Africa? Africa is just not worth the time. Corruption in that continent cannot be overcome.

I did jump the gun a bit by suggesting the US should get involved, I admit. It's a bitch to see Russia doing what they please with Georgia, but I don't think anything can be done. The US is going to assist with transporting Georgian troops from Iraq back to Georgia. Apart from that, I don't think the US can/will do anything. It looks like Russia is just going to do everything short of a full-out war and invasion. They are going to leave Saakashvili's legacy in ruins and that will be that.

Where's Charlie Wilson when you need him?

tht is a pretty fair assessment...except that we could obliterate russia militarily if we wanted to, but we won't, no way no how. Nothing to gain from it.

[digitaldean]

Where are the massive rallies in Europe against Russia for this aggression????

They can have tens/hundreds of thousands march in protests against the Iraq war, but agains the Russians, they don't do squat. Hypocrites plain and simple.

The UN??? How pitiful is that body. They are great in humanitarian aid (when not siphoning money due to corruption), but have lost their teeth as an honest broker in situations like this a long time ago.

Russians are going to do what they want because they know no one is really going to do anything against them.

The Europeans should get involved, but won't. They are hardly assisting the NATO contingent in Afghanistan. If they can't help in Afghanistan, then the EU should send a multi-national force to Georgia to serve as a buffer against Georgia and Russia.

Right now, we are seeing the real Vlad Putin.

[texaspackerbacker]

Sure, if Russia wanted to commit its whole army against the 37,000 man force of Georgia, and if we stood by and let them, they might "crush them like a bug", but not before that bug took out an extremely unacceptable chunk of the formerly Red army. Believe me, it ain't gonna happen.

ok, hope you're right. your track record on predictions has not been so stellar.

What? Where does that come from?

When in recent history--sports or politics--have I been significantly off target?

Bobblehead, you are undoubtedly right about the "no way no how" of going to war with Russia. That, however, doesn't mean you take the threat of it off the table--as Obama would and McCain would not.

[Freak Out]

It looks like the Georgian military has been ran out of Gori...although the Russians deny even attacking it. Ha ha....Sure Vlad.

[Freak Out]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/05/20050510-2.html

President Addresses and Thanks Citizens in Tbilisi, Georgia
Freedom Square
Tbilisi, Georgia

1:27 P.M. (Local)

PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, thank you for that introduction. Citizens of a free Georgia, Laura and I were in the neighborhood -- we thought we'd swing by and say gamarjoba. (Applause.)

I am proud to stand beside a President who has shown such spirit, determination, and leadership in the cause of freedom. (Applause.) And Laura and I are proud to stand with the courageous people of Georgia, in this place that has earned a proud name -- Freedom Square. (Applause.)

Thousands gather in Freedom Square to hear President George W. Bush speak in Tbilisi, Georgia, Tuesday, May 10, 2005. "When Georgians gathered here 16 years ago, this square had a different name. Under Lenin's steely gaze, thousands of Georgians prayed and sang, and demanded their independence, said President Bush. "The Soviet army crushed that day of protest, but they could not crush the spirit of the Georgian people." White House photo by Paul Morse When Georgians gathered here 16 years ago, this square had a different name. Under Lenin's steely gaze, thousands of Georgians prayed and sang, and demanded their independence. The Soviet army crushed that day of protest, but they could not crush the spirit of the Georgian people. (Applause.)

The following year, Georgians returned to this square and pulled down the statue of Lenin. And on April 9th, 1991, you declared to the world that Soviet Georgia was no more, and that the independent nation of Georgia was born. (Applause.) On that historic day, you reclaimed your sovereignty, but the hopeful start you made was not fulfilled. So 18 months ago, Georgians returned to this square to complete the task you began in 1989. You gathered here armed with nothing but roses and the power of your convictions, and you claimed your liberty. And because you acted, Georgia is today both sovereign and free, and a beacon of liberty for this region and the world. (Applause.)

The path of freedom you have chosen is not easy, but you will not travel it alone. Americans respect your courageous choice for liberty. And as you build a free and democratic Georgia, the American people will stand with you. (Applause.)

You are building a free future for your children and grandchildren, and you are helping other nations to do the same. When the Afghan people defied terrorists to vote in that nation's first free presidential elections, Georgian soldiers were there to provide security. (Applause.) And last year -- and last year, when terrorist violence in Iraq was escalating, Georgia showed her courage. You increased your troop commitment in Iraq fivefold. The Iraqi people are grateful, and so are your American and coalition allies. (Applause.)

You are making many important contributions to freedom's cause, but your most important contribution is your example. In recent months, the world has marveled at the hopeful changes taking place from Baghdad to Beirut to Bishkek. But before there was a Purple Revolution in Iraq, or an Orange Revolution in Ukraine, or a Cedar Revolution in Lebanon, there was the Rose Revolution in Georgia. (Applause.) Your courage is inspiring democratic reformers and sending a message that echos across the world: Freedom will be the future of every nation and every people on Earth. (Applause.)

President George W. Bush and President Mikhail Saakashvili of Georgia react to the cheering of thousands of Tbilisi citizens in Freedom Square Tuesday, May 10, 2005. "You are building a democratic society where the rights of minorities are respected, where a free press flourishes, a vigorous opposition is welcome, and unity is achieved through peace," said the President in his remarks. "In this new Georgia, the rule of law will prevail, and freedom will be the birthright of every citizen." White House photo by Eric Draper Building a free society is the work of generations. It took nearly 15 years of struggle before liberty and justice fully took root in this country. Many of the students and workers who gathered here on this square 18 months ago were too young to remember the protests of 1989, but they took up freedom's cause and finished the work that their parents had begun. (Applause.)

Now, across the Caucasus, in Central Asia and the broader Middle East, we see the same desire for liberty burning in the hearts of young people. They are demanding their freedom -- and they will have it. (Applause.)

As free nations, the United States and Georgia have great responsibilities, and together, we will do our duty. Free societies are peaceful societies. And by extending liberty to millions who have not known it, we will advance the cause of freedom, and we will advance the cause of peace. (Applause.)

In this global struggle for liberty, our duties begin at home. While peaceful revolutions can bring down repressive regimes, the real changes and the real challenge is to build up free institutions in their place. This is difficult work, and you are undertaking it with dignity and determination. (Applause.) You have taken tough steps to reform your economy and to crack down on corruption. You are building a democratic society where the rights of minorities are respected, where a free press flourishes, a vigorous opposition is welcome, and unity is achieved through peace. In this new Georgia, the rule of law will prevail, and freedom will be the birthright of every citizen. (Applause.)

This was a dream of your late Prime Minister Zhvania who once said, "It is not by mere chance that we have adopted two very important ideas as our watch words: freedom and responsibility." Today, we pay tribute to this Georgian patriot who became a great leader of the global democratic revolution. In building a free and responsible society, you honor his memory and you carry on his legacy. (Applause.

As you build free institutions at home, the ties that bind our nations will grow deeper, as well. We respect Georgia's desire to join the institutions of Europe. We encourage your closer cooperation with NATO. Georgia's leaders know that the peaceful resolution of conflict is essential to your integration into the transatlantic community. At the same time, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia must be respected -- the territorial [sic] and sovereignty of Georgia must be respected by all nations. (Applause.)


Laura Bush and Sandra Roelofs, wife of Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, are introduced before President Bush addresses a crowd of thousands at Freedom Square in Tbilisi, Georgia, Tuesday, May 10, 2005. White House photo by Eric Draper We are living in historic times when freedom is advancing, from the Black Sea to the Caspian, and to the Persian Gulf and beyond. As you watch free people gathering in squares like this across the world, waving their nations' flags and demanding their God-given rights, you can take pride in this fact: They have been inspired by your example and they take hope in your success. (Applause.)

As you build freedom in this country, you must know that the seeds of liberty you are planting in Georgian soil are flowering across the globe. (Applause.) I have come here to thank you for your courage. The American people value your friendship, and admire your determination. On behalf of all Americans, thank you, God bless you. Sakartvelos gaumarjos. (Applause.)

[GoPackGo]

^^^^^^^^

Clearly the Prez went over there and talked out of his ass. Where is the support for Georgia now?

[Harlan Huckleby]

A good time for a visit to Tiblisi from President Bush. Or even President Obama.

[SkinBasket]

^^^^^^^^

Clearly the Prez went over there and talked out of his ass. Where is the support for Georgia now?

Again, what do you want him to do? Bomb the Kremlin?

[BallHawk]

Again, what do you want him to do? Bomb the Kremlin?

I would suggest stealing Lenin's body, bring it back to the United States, and let a ventriloquist put it to good use on Broadway.

[mraynrand]

Again, what do you want him to do? Bomb the Kremlin?

I would suggest stealing Lenin's body, bring it back to the United States, and let a ventriloquist put it to good use on Broadway.

And now, Starring in the new play "Useful Idiots" ....

[Joemailman]

What's Jon Gruden got to do with this?

[GoPackGo]

^^^^^^^^

Clearly the Prez went over there and talked out of his ass. Where is the support for Georgia now?

Again, what do you want him to do? Bomb the Kremlin?

It was news to me that President Bush went over there in 2005 and talked a big game on Russia's front porch.
Despite that, I wouldn't want to get involved militarily. However, shouldn't we be outraged that our ally is being ended?

*****update********
apparently we are outraged

The United States and its allies are pressing Russia to accept an immediate cease-fire with the former Soviet republic of Georgia and agree to international mediation over the crisis in Georgia's separatist areas.

[Freak Out]

Georgia pushed the issue with Russia and tried to run the opposition out of South Ossetia which really threw fuel on the fire and got the bombs a droppin this time around...it was bound to happen sooner or later because both sides were unwilling to budge. Russia has been able to use the situation to accomplish a few tasks on it's to do list as well as show the world it can still bully it's neighbor pretty effectively.

The sad thing is that we can really can't do anything to stop them except use force...and we will not do that. Dubyas good friend just laughs in our face. What are we going to do? Stop buying Russian oil? Push sanctions?

Where is the great American statesman these days that can rally the west and show Russia again that we stand together?

[Tyrone Bigguns]

Dubyas good friend just laughs in our face. What are we going to do? Stop buying Russian oil? Push sanctions?

But he looked in his eyes.

[SkinBasket]

Where is the great American statesman these days that can rally the west and show Russia again that we stand together?

Let my people go!