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Isnt it interesting how we all get mad when Politicians never answer questions , obfuscate and outright lie,then when someone tells it straight we all get nervous because we dont really have the Courage to do what has to be done . We are all State Dept weenies ,I guess Obombo is right we have to go to the UN for a resolution ,W should not send any aid because that is clearly a Provocation and something might happen ,Russia will get Mad ,Hell Vladimir might slip some plutonium in Bushs tea next time they meet .
Its amazing how the scenarios from the movie DARK KNIGHT we are witnessing and People ar reacting true to form

One thing I've realized is that not many people can handle the truth. When it comes to politics this is even more the case. Obfuscation is not only an art form, it is the only form of engagement (where you have smoke and mirrors orbing around behind funny glass). Some would say that it has a purpose (and in high diplomacy it does have an important purpose), but at the same time it is interesting how people want SO MUCH to be deluded. Lies are actually appreciated.

Going back to this case, I think the State Dep is worried that the dude may push an angle that they do not want brought forward. Is that the right way of looking at it? I don't know, but maybe he should match his statement speech with that of president Bush. If Bush says the US military will be taking humanitarian aid using the US military to Georgia, maybe he should say that. IF Bush says that the US military will be taking over Georgian sea and air ports then he can say that, but maybe he should not say it unless Bush specifically put it that way.

There is something I learned from the Bible about enemies .....Proverbs 24:17 states that we should 'not rejoice when our enemy falls, And not let our hearts be glad when he stumbles.'

I think this has a bearing here, especially when it comes to Cultures like the Russian and the Chinese that love to save face. A moment of bluntness can have a ripple effect (I read today that the Russians were withdrawing from Gori when some Georgian soldiers came and drew weapons ....the Russians came streaming back. Now, the Georgians had every right to do that, after all it is GEORGIA. However I wonder the prudence of it since the Russians were leaving anyways).

Well, I don't like obfuscation much, but there is a spot for it in international politics (especially at certain levels, and this is one of them). And when you consider that with the US moving in with humanitarian aid that is spearheaded by the military, indicating an end of the conflict, one wonders what function certain statements would have. There is no added benefit, but there is definitely added risk.

Look at how president Bush phrased his words ....he was very direct when he said that the US military was bringing in aid, but he did so in a way that allowed the Russians to save face and have an exit strategy. I know there are many on FR that would have preferred he state that the Russians have 30 minutes to move out or he will begin nuking targets (or my favorite stupid comment ....give suit-case nukes to Chechen terrorists), but in life there is no need to take the long convoluted route when a short and efficient one will work (and work better).

I hope I make sense.

Oh, and the next verse after the one I quote states as follows:

'Or the LORD will see it and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him.'

Never rub your enemies face in something, otherwise you may awaken a reaction that you did not expect. A few days ago Russia was winning, now it is Georgia winning (not militarily, but politically) since the US has finally stepped in. The prudent thing to do is to win 'in peace.' You can go ahead and rub someone's face in something, and a whole new beast emerges that no one anticipated.

If you have the winning hand, let it be. Nothing is as successful as success. Try to prove a point and you can find things taking a very serious turn when they did not have to.