Russians in control of the theater! On CNN

cnn ^ | now | cnn

[Diddle E. Squat]

Looks like a pretty good conclusion

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Russian newsroom, Dan Ratherschlovolskovy, reporting......

MY bet is that THIS fellow is reporting the TRUTH!

[MJY1288]

"Fox News is useless after 10:00 P.M., they really need to get a grip on the 24 hour concept."

I couldn't agree more. It takes a lot for me to watch CNN, But FOX is pathetic after prime time when it comes to "Breaking News"

[myrabach]

changed clothes and mingled with the hostages????? What happened to wanting to die more than the hostages wanted to live? Sounds like we have a few chicken Chechens.

[wonders]

Thanks I don't get MSDNC, BBC/CNN was talking about the "tens" and "hundreds" of bodies/casualties. Also BBC said some SF were wounded, but none seriously.

[Republic]

So their attacks are going on PRIOR to the U.S. taking any action in the Middle East, putting the political sentiment for Islam in Europe at risk of jeopardy.

In other words, these attacks are making Islam LESS popular in the world's other power players.

Very insightful post. And I suspect dead-on. Thank you for causing me to consider this in terms of the world's chess board. Wonder if you are correct. It certainly makes sense. But, alas, in the end, I suspect it depends on the impact of the pathetic liberal spin.

[BlazingArizona]

How many hostages did the Russians kill?

Gee, did the Chechens come out in favor of the War on Drugs while I wasn't looking?

[CarolAnn]

From what I have read, the old 'Special Purposes' troops of Soviet days were both feared and respected throughout the world. If they pulled off an Entebbe (sp?)-like rescue, I guess they are indeed still being kept up well.

[Southack]

"Well, I'm 59 an I thought we'd all be dead by now. (LOL)"

Running up the old credit cards again hoping TEOTWAWKI bails you out?!

[VaBthang4]

Well, its difficult to actually rate considering responsibility and mission profiles are so different. But Spetnaz definitely arent in the top tier.

Seals are very good but they are notorious loose cannons. I have trained with them alot....and was quick to drop the drama alert when I sensed the seals were deviating from the overall objective out of vanity in wanting to make a statement. With that said....I wouldnt hesitate to have one watching my back in any environment. With some of them you had to watch what they were doing before you followed them.

IMHO Green Berets are far more disciplined and their mission profile is different....but I have only trained with GB's once, so take it for what it is worth.

[Dr. Frank fan]

A lot of people seem to be characterizing the "hostage takers" (trying to use a neutral term) as "terrorists," simply because they are Islamic. But the Chechens actually have a reasonably legitimate nationalistic beef with the Russians

That's beautiful. It's bringin' a tear to my eye. (I guess that justifies all the kidnapping, drug running, white slavery, etc).

The problem (besides all that) is that their methods are terroristic. That's why they are (rightfully) called "terrorists". Get it now?

[Diddle E. Squat]

OK, I understand where you are coming from, but now you need to understand where most of us are coming from. 2 hours ago it looked very likely that most of the hostages would die in an eventual terroristic suicide. Reports of bombs wired to terrorists, hostages, and mines throughout the building. A little over an hour ago the report came out(after the report of SF going into the building) that the building had been taken over and now controlled by SF. 36 of 50 terrorists dead, several in custody, and a few unaccounted for, but THE SHOOTING HAD STOPPED.

To us that is a relative victory, the fact that there are any survivors, and now it looks like many, and the crisis portion was over. I understand your inside evaluation, but don't be surprised if some of us get ticked at your pissing all over relatively good news. As to that other idiots post, given that I posted after the building had been reported secured, and the shooting ended, his post was baloney.

[Republic]

The Russian press (pravda.ru, for ecample) was complaining about exactly the same thing earlier today: the US is asking for cooperation against terrorism worldwide while ta the same time the US pres refers to the Chechens as "rebels".

I wish I knew more about the history of the Chechens so that I could better understand why they are being called rebels. Is the term 'rebel' being used only by the (oh gag me) CNN types or is it the official name used by our own government, and if so, why?

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

"Tonight on Larry King! Three harmless pranksters who say Islam is misunderstood."

Sadly, a missed opportunity for an "errant" GBU.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Timing matters, and right now the terrorists are suffering for being on the wrong side of that timing.

I am inclined to give President Bush and his team credit for the terrorists getting their timing thrown off!

[MHGinTN]

If my memory of Revelations isn't too poor, we will be allied with Russia at the end times. Might be stepping into them now.

[nicmarlo]

Russian authorities are calling them terrorists...only in PCland are they called "rebels."

[VaBthang4]

I'd let you know if I thought it was important enough. With that said...

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Hell, I'm 22 and I never thought I would be cheering on the Russians.

Live long enough, and you will see many things change. :O)

[nicmarlo]

I think your memory serves you correctly, and allied against China's millian man march toward the holy land....if my memory serves correctly.

[fooman]

Very interesting experience. Would the seals argue that they are 'independent' and can 'take the iniative?'