The Big Question: Will the presumptive Democratic
candidate for president speak out?
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Posted on 08/11/2008 8:16:28 AM PDT by Jeff Head
Yes, our allies would get a clear message and Russia would as well. That’s a terrible combination.
Thanks for your note of agreement.
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I think you’re seeing things very clearly, frankly. Oh how I wish this were not happening... I was afraid of this for a while now.
You and I sure agree on that. I will tell you though, there are some folks who have convinced themselves that he’s a great orator. Based on what, I don’t know.
“Russia is helping us with Iran...”
What a joke! Does anyone really think Russia is helping with Iran?
What’s BUSH waiting for. He should have left the Olympics the minute the Russians entered Georgia. Its time to start talking to the Turks and firing up some American Planes over Georgia.
Tell the Russians that they can protect Russians, but we and the Turks will help out with keeping the peace in Georgia and insure that Georgia’s sovereignty is maintained.
Good, I’m glad. We’re in agreement here. Take care.
Not just on this, but on the domestic drilling issue as well.
I feel like every one of our leaders has bailed, except the few remaining Congressmen in revolt.
Reuters confirming on the ground. Interesting.
“Inaction on our part at this point will destroy the faith and confidence of our remaining allies. “
Our enemies will certainly do their part to make the most out of any ‘inaction’. (that includes the MSM)
President Bush needs to make it clear that the U.S. will respond militarily should Russia take over Georgia. But only after he makes a strong effort to avoid war. His presence in Tblisi tonight or tomorrow would tell the Russians how utterly serious we take this. Anything less and Tblisi falls by the end of the week.
Poland, 1939.
I’m sure Ronald Reagan is rolling over in his grave.
They are being idiots by claiming what is their territory?
If Mexico claimed border town in Texas or Arizona, would we be “idiots” for fighting them?
Americans wishing to spend August vacationing with their families or watching the Olympics may wonder why their newspapers and television screens are filled with images of war in the small country of Georgia. Concerns about what occurs there might seem distant and unrelated to the many other interests America has around the world. And yet Russian aggression against Georgia is both a matter of urgent moral and strategic importance to the United States of America.The Obama camp has bee practically silent on it...but, of course, we have to remember that Obama is on vacation and probably shouldn't be disturbed."Georgia is an ancient country, at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and one of the world’s first nations to adopt Christianity as an official religion. After a brief period of independence following the Russian revolution, the Red Army forced Georgia to join the Soviet Union in 1922. As the Soviet Union crumbled at the end of the Cold War, Georgia regained its independence in 1991, but its early years were marked by instability, corruption, and economic crises.
"Following fraudulent parliamentary elections in 2003, a peaceful, democratic revolution took place, led by the U.S.-educated lawyer Mikheil Saakashvili. The Rose Revolution changed things dramatically and, following his election, President Saakashvili embarked on a series of wide-ranging and successful reforms. I’ve met with President Saakashvili many times, including during several trips to Georgia.
"What the people of Georgia have accomplished – in terms of democratic governance, a Western orientation, and domestic reform – is nothing short of remarkable. That makes Russia’s recent actions against the Georgians all the more alarming. In the face of Russian aggression, the very existence of independent Georgia – and the survival of its democratically-elected government – are at stake.
"In recent days Moscow has sent its tanks and troops across the internationally recognized border into the Georgian region of South Ossetia. Statements by Moscow that it was merely aiding the Ossetians are belied by reports of Russian troops in the region of Abkhazia, repeated Russian bombing raids across Georgia, and reports of a de facto Russian naval blockade of the Georgian coast. Whatever tensions and hostilities might have existed between Georgians and Ossetians, they in no way justify Moscow’s path of violent aggression. Russian actions, in clear violation of international law, have no place in 21st century Europe.
"The implications of Russian actions go beyond their threat to the territorial integrity and independence of a democratic Georgia. Russia is using violence against Georgia, in part, to intimidate other neighbors – such as Ukraine – for choosing to associate with the West and adhering to Western political and economic values. As such, the fate of Georgia should be of grave concern to Americans and all people who welcomed the end of a divided of Europe, and the independence of former Soviet republics. The international response to this crisis will determine how Russia manages its relationships with other neighbors. We have other important strategic interests at stake in Georgia, especially the continued flow of oil through the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which Russia attempted to bomb in recent days; the operation of a critical communication and trade route from Georgia through Azerbaijan and Central Asia; and the integrity and influence of NATO, whose members reaffirmed last April the territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty of Georgia.
"Yesterday Georgia withdrew its troops from South Ossetia and offered a ceasefire. The Russians responded by bombing the civilian airport in Georgia’s capital, Tblisi, and by stepping up its offensive in Abkhazia. This pattern of attack appears aimed not at restoring any status quo ante in South Ossetia, but rather at toppling the democratically elected government of Georgia. This should be unacceptable to all the democratic countries of the world, and should draw us together in universal condemnation of Russian aggression.
"Russian President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin must understand the severe, long-term negative consequences that their government’s actions will have for Russia’s relationship with the U.S. and Europe.
Tell the Russians that they can protect Russians, but we and the Turks will help out with keeping the peace in Georgia and insure that Georgia’s sovereignty is maintained.
Exactly.
Thank you for your additional thoughts Kristinn.
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