Appeasing Russia

Blind, blind, blind... you are. Last Thursday Georgian Army tried to retake their breakaway province of South Ossetia with intend of ethnical cleansing, killed Russian citizens, soldiers/piecekeepers. Georgians are arrogant bunch, had their own motives. Mr . Saakashvili should resign step down - he was not choosen in truly democratic vote - end bloodshed, end corruption. Russia has right to punish Georgia for death of Russian citizens as much as US had a right to punish Taliban in Afganistan and Sadam in Iraq after death of 3,000+ on 9/11.. And ok, look at the history..- remember Joseph Stalin - Georgian, responsible millions of death, ethnical cleansing.. could be a long discussion. US/ West should stay away from Russian affairs.

McCain has been among the most ardent supporters of the War in Iraq -- the most disastrous foreign policy decision in American history.

McCain falsely claims that, from the beginning of the war, he called on former Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld to resign. He should have, but he didn't.

McCain thinks it's "not too important" when American forces come home from Iraq.

McCain has repeatedly claimed that Iran was training members of al-Qaeda in Iraq, showing a fundamental misunderstanding of the key players in the war. He doesn't understand the difference between Shiites and Sunnis, and even after being corrected he still doesn't get it.

McCain falsely claimed that the surge was what led to the Anbar Awakening, even though the Sunni revolt against al-Qaeda in the province began months before Bush even announced his plan to send more troops to Iraq.

McCain falsely claimed at the end of May that American troops in Iraq were down to "pre-surge levels" (brandished as proof that the surge was "succeeding") -- even though two-thirds of the additional surge troops were still in Iraq. And, when called on his mistake, he refused to acknowledge that he was wrong.

McCain falsely claimed that the war in Iraq was "the first major conflict since 9/11" -- either forgetting about the war in Afghanistan or deeming it not major enough. This is not all that surprising, since McCain's policies on Afghanistan -- the real central front in the war on terror -- have been all over the map. Indeed, McCain first attacked Obama's policy on Afghanistan, then adopted it for himself.

McCain has a long history of paying lip service to supporting America's troops but voting against their interests. His handling of the new GI bill was the latest example of his hypocrisy: he consistently and vocally worked to defeat it, then, once it passed, tried to take credit for it.

Need more proof of why McCain is not "ready to lead"? Do you want a president who thinks there is an "Iraq/Pakistan border"?

Who believes Darfur is in Somalia? And that Czechoslovakia is still a country?

First, I find it odd that President Bush should comment about anyone illegally invading a country. He invaded not one but two.

Second, anyone knowledgeable of history saw this war or a New Soviet Union emerging after the fall of the first Soviet Union. I saw it in high school. It started when Bush I supported lame duck President Yeltzin. So yes, Europeans are correct in blaming Bush but they are blaming the wrong Bush. Yeltzin, who was seen as a puppet to the West, became the catalyses sparking today???s anti-Western sentiment in Russia. The weak rule and corruption under Yeltzin laid the foreground for Putin and others to come. A simple look into European history will prove me right: France after the fall of Napoleon, Germany after the Treaty of Versailles, etc.

In the end, history will show that we should of listened to the advise of Mikhail Gorbachev and his dream for a United Federation of Russian States. This union would of allowed Russia to maintain its borders, promote democracy from the inside out and control its military and nuclear hardware. We would have a stronger Russia to help us fight terrorism and we wouldn???t be worried about former Soviet nukes in the hands of Muslim fundamentalist.

There are many ways we can bring the russians back in lina:
Restrict passports, limit trade, stop buying oil from them, and so on.
Isolate them, essential to avoid war.

Bush is such a hypocrite! First he attacks Iraq based on a lie, now he is telling Russia what to do? Who the heck does he think he is? As far as I'm concerned, it's Bush's fault. He set a bad example for the rest of the world. And now anyone will do as they please just as Bush did. Especially when the US is no longer the superpower it once was. Let alone it's military being stretched so thin and on the brink of self destruction.

US also invaded Iraq a soveriegn country with whom they dont even share a common border to grab its oil that too in 21st century. Either Bush has no right to say like this for Russia when US iteself is acting like a world bully. Look at your own house before lecturing other people.

Nobody is listening to the US anymore. They have no credibility. The US preaches democracy but doesn't walk the talk.

The U.S. is helpless in this our forces are wore out both the men and the machines from a 2 front war we have going on at the moment there is no way to support a third front. Maybe we could arm and send congress over there to act as peace keepers that way we would all be safer.

Putin is more honorable than Bush anyday.

WHAT HAS THIS GOT TO DO WITH GEORGE BUSH OR IRAQ, STAY FOCUS ON THE QUESTION

Why did the Americans re-elect Bush for a second term anyways? Was it because the rednecks outnumbered the educated?

Using the dempgraphics of Russian or Russia-friendly populations in neighboring states,as an excuse for naked military aggression will only be challenged if, instead of removing U.S. residents from the area, America sends in a brigade of the 101st Airborne . Even if no military engagement is intended, the very presence, on the ground, of U.S. troops will serve as a dire warning to Moscow to watch its step. Moscow is adept at taking thr first steps in provocation, but push-comes-to-shove, I doubt tthe Russians have the stomach for an open and wider confrontation with the West. Europe, sadly, will not upset it's supply line for abundant natural gas from the East. Only the U.S. has the power and the will to stop Russia cold in what is its first major flexing of military muscles since the Coold war. Georgia must stand as a symbol of the will to preserve democracy in the former Soviet area od dominion.

Well where are all the protests? The whole world rises up and protests America after we invade Iraq to overthrow a dictator yet not a single hippy has marched in the streets of Paris or London or San Fransisco demanding a cessation of hostilities from the Russians. Perhaps they know the truth the Russians don't care unlike the Americans and as bad as we were ten minutes ago they should also realize we are the only hope for the Georgians. Maybe we should let Europe handle this themselves and wait to intervene until after Poland falls.

In the newly emerging global dispensation, as the American economic might declines in relative terms, and as its relative military might is sure to decline as well, Russia is no enemy but a battleground. If the West continues to antagonize Russia despite its assistance in Afghanistan and North Korea, and despite Russia's sizeable economic assistance in the form of US Treasury bill holdings, we might see an Oceania-Eurasia conflict predicted by Orwell. Pushing Russia into China's embrace is highly unhelpful in light of the West's energy needs. The current conflict may affect Russia's pipeline route choices, and once the pipes run eastwards, Russia will have locked itself into an alliance with China. Thankfully, it's not a done deal yet. In Georgia, the West could still stand for the principles it proclaims elsewhere and give Saakashvili the treatment once reserved for its former allies Noriega, Saddam Hussein and Bin Laden. The Georgian people are fully capable of democratically electing some other US-educated lawyer parachuted from Washington.