Posted on 08/11/2008 2:02:41 AM PDT by MartinaMisc
In August 1924, the small nation of Georgia, occupied by Soviet Russia since 1921, rose up against Soviet rule. On Sept. 16, 1924, The Times of London reported on an appeal by the president of the Georgian Republic to the League of Nations. While “sympathetic reference to his country’s efforts was made” in the Assembly, the Times said, “it is realized that the League is incapable of rendering material aid, and that the moral influence which may be a powerful force with civilized countries is unlikely to make any impression upon Soviet Russia.”
“Unlikely” was an understatement. Georgians did not enjoy freedom again until 1991.
Today, the Vladimir Putins and Hu Jintaos and Mahmoud Ahmadinejads of the world — to say nothing of their junior counterparts in places like Sudan, Zimbabwe, Burma and North Korea — are no more likely than were Soviet leaders in 1924 to be swayed by “moral influence.” Dictators aren’t moved by the claims of justice unarmed; aggressors aren’t intimidated by diplomacy absent the credible threat of force; fanatics aren’t deterred by the disapproval of men of moderation or refinement.
The good news is that today we don’t face threats of the magnitude of Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union. Each of those regimes combined ruthless internal control, a willingness to engage in external aggression, and fervent adherence to an extreme ideology. Today these elements don’t coexist in one place. Russia is aggressive, China despotic and Iran messianic — but none is as dangerous as the 20th-century totalitarian states.
The further good news is that 2008 has been, in one respect, an auspicious year for freedom and democracy.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Russia may get away with it but Reid and Pelosi sure won’t.... This is going to force the hag and the nag to have the vote on offshore drilling...
IMHO - the EU is absolutely worthless and as usual they will want us to handle this disaster...I say let them eat Putin’s crap and pay $20/gal for gasoline...Russia will get away with it because the EU will let them...
Uhhhhhhhh...Yes .
Lol!
IMHO - the EU is absolutely worthless and as usual they will want us to handle this disaster.
Correct me if you know better, but aren’t the Europeans procrastinating the NATO entry of East European states? Not blaming it directly on the EU, but if Ukraine and Georgia would be already NATO members, the Russians would have second doubts about invading.
if Ukraine and Georgia would be already NATO members, the Russians would have second doubts about invading.==
If they killed 2000 Russian citizen and peacekeeper no NATO umbrella will save such country. Russian will revenge and hell with the world.
Next NATo must decide will them die for sake of mass murderders in thier ranks?
IF the Georgians killed 2000 Russian citizens, then they would very junior killers compared to the Russians Russia has killed without Georgian help.
Don’t bother dragging in Stalin: that’s old history. Even Ukraine is supporting Georgia now and if anyone has reason to detest Stalin its the Ukrainians.
I’d put a month’s lunch money down on the proposition that in THIS conflict, more Russians have died under Russian guns than under Georgian by a factor of two to one, just on the basis of ordinance dropped and shells and rockets expended.
And just what the hell is Russia doing using its “peacekeeper” status setting up mini Russian protectorates inside the sovereign territory of Georgia, and handing out Russian citicenship there, anyway?
I have an affection for Russia, and Russians, but this Putin and his friends are dog drool. They are going to destroy any chance Russians might have had for a decent furure.
Correct me if you know better, but aren’t the Europeans procrastinating the NATO entry of East European states? Not blaming it directly on the EU, but if Ukraine and Georgia would be already NATO members, the Russians would have second doubts about invading.
You're right! All of the money and soldiers we spent for decades to keep countries like Austria from being dominated by Russia was a total waste. After all Georgia is little and far away, just like Austria and Czechoslovakia were in 1938.
If by provocation you mean an inhibition against the invasion and occupation of a neighboring country at will, then yes, Georgian or Ukrainian NATO or EU membership might be seen as a provocation.
A fully normal Russia, integrated into the world economy as they ought to be, and not just a raw material supplier, then these associations wouldn’t be seen as any kind of provocation.
Sukhoi has is jsut now testing a very nice regional transport. If Russia weren’t going off like this, they might expect to sell hundreds of these planes all around the world. At this rate, they will only manage to sell them to captive markets.
Putin, who has revealed himself to be far more clever than wise, has just screwed his country royally.
Russia really did have a chance, but with utterly lame-brained leadership, they are marching directly into irrelevance, poverty, backwardness and tyranny.
IF the Georgians killed 2000 Russian citizens, then they would very junior killers compared to the Russians Russia has killed without Georgian help.==
So we should pardon Saaki and his murdering generals on this ground? Very sorry but you are wrong.
They are going to destroy any chance Russians might have had for a decent furure.==
You and your lap dog Sakashvilli do not kill our people then we ourselves will see at our future. Ok?
Give us Saakashivilli for trial and I’m sure Russia will stop.
Wrong question!
Next wrong question: who was the bad guy?
Right question: what is in the best interests of the United States?
Crappola,
NATO is a paper tiger.
You b crazy if you think the morons in Belgium would do anything more than the Euroweenies.
Even though russias military is in shambles it still is a better more fierce fighting force than anything Europe would throw at this.
You’re right! All of the money and soldiers we spent for decades to keep countries like Austria from being dominated by Russia was a total waste. After all Georgia is little and far away, just like Austria and Czechoslovakia were in 1938.
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