Posted on 08/15/2008 2:27:26 PM PDT by XR7
I hope everyone has heard about the war in South Ossetia and Georgia. You probably are convinced by what the media reports, in particular that “Russia is the aggressor against innocent Georgia”. Our government is backing Georgia and also telling us about Russia’s aggression. But that is a lie. I have always made fun of the conspiracy theory people, but I find myself in the same position–criticizing the government and sounding crazy. But I cannot keep quite when such an injustice is going on; so please do not take my words as that of a crazy man who hates America–on the contrary, this country has given me many blessings for which I am endlessly thankful; I care about it and am deeply saddened by how effectively the media has fed us propaganda over the last week. Please read the following short account of my story:
I grew up in Abkhazia, a country only hours away from South Ossetia (see map below). I lived through the 1992 war between Georgia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia. I have been bombed and shot at by the Georgians. Right now we are in contact with our family in Abkhazia and we receive information first hand with no media bias. I know what I am talking about.
Georgia attacked South Ossetia, destroying its capital Tskhinvali, killing innocent people; Russia came in to protect the Ossetians. If Russia did not step in, Georgians would further the attack and take over Abkhazia; my family would be slaughtered by now. Yet, I am absolutely shocked, absolutely astonished how the media lies to us, telling us “Russia was the aggressor”. I have never, NEVER thought this can be possible in the US–I always believed that the US government has good intentions. Not anymore. All I heard on the news is that “Georgia is an ally that Russia attacked” and similar such lies. George Bush is supporting Saakashvili, the man who lies left and right, and attacks innocent civilians. I cannot believe my ears.
I am not protecting the Russian government, because I do understand that it is likely corrupt also. Of course they are not innocent. However, that does not mean that WE Americans can support injustice just because it is going against the rival power Russia. The bottom line is that Georgia attacked first; they attacked civilians. Russians fought on behalf of the Ossetians. Yet, the media has zero coverage on the devastation of the South Ossetian people. This is just ridiculous.
Why am I writing this? I do not know what else I can do. I must speak the truth. I am paying taxes to the US government, which supports Georgia, which in turn bombs my homeland; in other words, I am funding the destruction of my own people. How can I keep quiet?
I know you don’t go to a photographer’s blog to read about politics, so I will stop now. Please do watch the videos below. Please be informed. Please feel free to ask me any questions (photodu@gmail.com). Please speak the truth.
But there is always the human element involved.
While geopolitical strategists debate, and heads of nations plot, real people end up bleeding and dying. And for what? Maybe some of the folks in these "breakaway republics" ignorantly think life under the Russians will be better (and, when you think about it, at least for Abkhazia, all those fat-cat nouveau riche Russians sunning themselves at their Black Sea villas and spending their rubles and dollars might even be good for their economy). Maybe we should point out their stupidity at being so duped. But either way, they're the ones who face the prospect of subjogation or annihilation. We can be contented in debating "spheres of influence" because one way or the other, it all means little or nothing to us in the final analysis - after all, it's not our family whose dying over there, as Neville Chamberlain infamously declared "a faraway place of which we know nothing."
I continued researching. The more I saw, the more it seems that South Ossetia is comparable to a boil on your skin. (look at the map). Russia has infected the area. Putin doesn't want Georgia to be successful and join NATO. Plus there's a strategic oil pipeline that runs straight through Georgia that Russia would like.
Topographically, there are mountains separating Russia from Georgia and Ossetia. The fact that Russia had so many tanks there so quickly, proves to me they were wanting to fight before any fighting started. I read (doesn't mean it's true) that Russians were in South Ossetia firing into Georgia, which caused Georgia to "crack down". This would make a lot of sense.
Georgia took the bait, Russia rolled on in.
Thank you for all of your posts on this subject.
DIDN’T WE HAVE THIS DILLEMA ALREADY WITH A us CIVIL WAR?
Ossetia was NOT a seperate country and the Russians had been manipulating the ossestians militarily for years.
I've yet to see pictures of this "devastation". And these reports of 15,000 to 20,00 deaths. No-one has seen these bodies. This wouldn't be the first invasion based upon a pack of lies. Yes, maybe things are not as they seem. I know I won't believe any reports coming from a Russian source again.
Putin may have won a short term victory here but in the long run I think he's done a great disservice to the Russia people. Most of them are probably good people. No-one will forget Russia's actions over the past week. There are many things other than rolling tanks into another country that can be done to punish them. See my tagline for a start.
I usually like Levin..on this ralph Peters has more information, knowledge and expertise.
why don’t you put Putin in place of Saakashvilli.?
If you really really really study this conflict you will see that the russians set this up and attacked from Ossetia into Georgia. Of course, our media continues to tell the lies “Oh, Georgia struck first”. so if Mexico starts to send attacks across the border ( can you say Israel and the peace loving palis) and we strike back..well, the US started it.
Russsia had what would have been a weeks long ..months long..massive build up the border with Georgia..for a full scale invasion, not just a response to a “skirmish.” You never hear that on the media.
this is typical liberal Moral Relativism. Besides the media is defintiely STILL in love with Russia...after all, they are leftists.
I think he was backed into a corner...how long do you wait while the russians keep attacking you accross the border?
Yeah, maybe he should have waited until the US election..I am sooo sure Obama would have responded better, and maybe that’s why he moved a little harsher now. Besides, this didn’t just happen recently.the Russians have been “using “ Ossetia as their staging ground to destroy Georgia.
the Ossetians were given full freedom to go on with their culture, etc. but that wasn’t ok, so now they threw in their lot with Russia...welll, I hope the Ossetians will be very thrilled with their new rulers ..., uh, masters.
I think you are right...trolls abound!
‘All is not as it seems”...perfect liberal buy in for lies the Russians put out front. Rakp Peters said the Media..including cable..just accepted the Russian tlaking points from Moscow : “they were committing genocide” ..they attakced first, we had to keep the peace>’ Not ONE media even bothered to check out the russian talking points.disgusting.
Further, the so called “Russian Peacekeepers” were nothing more than Russian military and mostly conscripted gangs.
I am appalled the way the west just accepted all the lies. As Goebbels said ..”You tell a big enough lie and no one will doubt you.”
These people are NO different than our media..they just accept the Moscow talking point...very smart of Putin. He knows we have a fifth column in this country. and the Europeans couldn’t care less about the Georgians...a really small price to keep the French and German furnaces heated up with russian gas this cold winter.
Oh, did I say furnaces? that is where they want to head; this IS a repeat of the Sudatenland...Sarkozy and his “ peace in our time” surrender memo. thats why they call the frogs, ‘surrender Monkeys”.
Tell that to New Yorkers, Miamians, Chicagoans, Los Angelenos, Bostonians, Brazilians, Canadians, Londoners, ...
Thanks!
If you love the commie lifetyle so much...just like the muzzies that want footbaths..GO BACK HOME WHERE ITS SOOO WONDERFUL!
Yeah.
I've been having a hard time with that one.
...the Italians, the Poles, the Irish, the Germans, the Norwegians, the Swedes, the Puerto Ricans, the Ukranians, et al - any neighborhood in any of those cities.
Will Russia Attack Poland Next?
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1833364,00.html
Ukraine vows to implement orders on Russia fleet
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2062625/posts
Then the Georgians would have been accused of making “Russians” evacuate...(Moscow has been handing out Russian passports to the Ossetians like free movie passes for over a year) and created an “international humanitarian crisis.”
And according to the russians now, their new publically stated international policy is to “protect the DIGNITY” of ANY Russian citizen ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WITH MILITARY FORCE, IF NEEDED!.” I wonder how that would go over if we attacked France to protect the dignity of an American citizen.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.