Home > Jay Bookman > Archives > 2008 > August > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWe must protect Georgia … someday, maybe
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed a ceasefire agreement committing his country to withdraw from occupied areas of Georgia, but if the Russians intend to honor that commitment, they’re going to do it in their own sweet time.
Eyewitness reports from Gori say there’s no sign of a Russian withdrawal, and in fact Russian troops seem to be preparing for a long stay. If that proves true, there’s not much the United States can do about it except complain and try to make the Russians pay as high a price as possible in diplomatic and economic terms.
But it does seem time to ask: How did we get into this mess? After all, this is a war in which everybody has lost.
The Russians will now incorporate South Ossettia and Abkhazia into their sphere of influence if not into their country, but those two impoverished areas surely aren’t worth the damage this war has done to Russia’s reputation and economic relationships.
Georgia of course has suffered far greater damage — militarily, economically, physically and psychologically. And the United States has been embarrassed by its inability and unwillingness to protect a close ally from invasion.
The Georgians wanted very badly to believe that America would come rescue them in a crisis — after all, tiny Georgia had sent 2,000 troops to help us out in Iraq, so surely the big, bad United States would return the favor for their little friend, right?
For their part, American officials gave the Georgians just enough subtle encouragement to keep that belief alive, in part because they never thought the crisis would come. Both the Georgians and Americans convinced themselves that the Russians would never dare treat a U.S. ally so harshly.
Well, the Russians would, and did, and still are.
At root, the Georgian tragedy can be blamed on a disconnect in U.S. foreign policy. The American people like thinking of their country as the world’s policeman, protecting the little guy. “We are all Georgians,” as John McCain expressed it. That’s why both McCain and Barack Obama continue to talk tough even now, claiming to support Georgia’s inclusion in NATO even though they both know that would require the U.S. to defend Georgia militarily against attack.
Yet right at the moment, the moment when it matters, neither one of them is willing to take that step. They’re talking smack while they’re backing out the door.
That’s the essence of the problem right there: Even after Russia has called our bluff, we still try to pretend that someday off in the future, we will protect Georgia.
Just not today.
In the end, the Georgians are victims not just of their own self-delusion, but of our little national ego trip. We like to think of ourselves as defenders of democracy; we like others to think of us that way. But unless our direct national interests are on the line, we aren’t willing to pay the price required.
The Russians knew that. The Georgians now know it too. Only the American people and their leaders still pretend otherwise.
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Comments
By AJC/DNC Management
August 18, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
Aahhh, yes, another hurricane sputters through thee state of Florida, just as weak and impotent as anything al-Gore has ever said.
Do tell us, toadies, what’s gonna “get us” next?
By AJC/DNC Management
August 18, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
Look at this nonsense, I’m assuming you blame Iraq for our inability to launch a total war on the mainland of Russia, eh?
Like we don’t already know the simple fact that even if we had passed on invading Iraq, or even Vietnam, Korea, Germany, Japan, Spain and Britain for that matter, you libs would still whine and moan if we were to man up against Russia.
Who are you kidding?
Now you want us to blow Ivan away?
Puh-leeze.
By AJC/DNC Management
August 18, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
Let’s see here, we didn’t invade Russia all through 50 years of Cold War while they were running rampant throughout Europe, Asia and just about anywhere else they wanted, but now it is imperative to the liberals that we engulf the world in a nuclear holocaust, sweet.
By AJC/DNC Management
August 18, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
PAPER: OBAMA READY TO ANNOUNCE HIS VP
Hey, it looks like they finally found somebody dumber than Lord High Dimwit, I didn’t think they could do it.
This VP must be a real cripple.
By Taxpayer
August 18, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
I cannot help but wonder though if Putin had invaded Georgia say four or five years ago, back in the heart of Bush’s Eastwood days, what would Bush have done. Would Cheney and Rumsfeld have convinced Bush that “we can take ‘em”. But of course, I’m just speaking in terms of an academic exercise. Putin’s moves and timing (whether coincidental or not) have effectively rendered BushCo LLC checked and mated and even a changing of the guard won’t alter that fact.
By JAY BOOKMAN
August 18, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
Are you announcing that you’re the guy, Management?
By "The Corporal"
August 18, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
You can trace this all back to Korea when we lost our “guts” and didn’t stop China in its tracks. We have paid ever since. 550,000 troops in Vietnam (yes, for those of you younger people out there that is 550,000 at its peak in 1969-70 vs. 130,000 or so in Iraq); 58,000+ Americans died - and the U.S. Congress walked away. That only solidified the fact that to those who hate us, given enough time we will cave to anyone. Am I bitter? Yes. Do I have faith that the citizens/leaders of this country (not the soldiers who actually do the fighting) can ever again “stay the course”? No.
Then what is to be done?
I laid my life on the line once. I’m done. You decide now but leave me out.
Oh, perfidious nation.
By AJC/DNC Management
August 18, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
No, but I’m betting on Bruno.
By Taxpayer
August 18, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
Jay,
Ouch. Then again, I can think of no other blogger here that is more deserving.
By Midori
August 18, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
Jay,
Democracy Now did a very good piece on Georgia, Russia and S. O
It’s always about the oil…..
By jack
August 18, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
you falsely say: The American people like thinking of their country as the world’s policeman, protecting the little guy.
it is the american imperialist regime in charge that thinks they are the world policeman. An utterly idiot illusion that was bout to have layed bare.
The american population has been brainwashed with NONOSTOP PROPAGANDA that is drilled into their heads before they even get to the first grade. they are broughup by this sytem to be CLUELESS consumers to paying taxes for imperialist warmonger “government” to enslave even more people. they is no need to learn the truth or history. just little automentons.
this is you democracy. SAD and utterly PATHETIC .
By Ab Rahim
August 18, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
Ha ha ha another yankee delusion shattered. All Bush, Cheney, and the rest of hardcore republicans and rest of America can do is whine while Russia takes back what is theirs. So sorry but yankees won’t get any sympathy from the rest of the world. Look in the mirror and yourself as to why the world loves it when you get beaten and humiliated like dogs.
By AJC/DNC Management
August 18, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
By Ab Rahim August 18, 2008 6:53 PM Ha ha ha another yankee delusion shattered
Don’t look now, Mohamed, but I’m pretty sure it was al Qaeda that got “beaten like a dog.”
We’ll see about Russia.
By RW-(the original)
August 18, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
Buy one? Purchased in bulk, a two-color lawn sign might cost the Obama campaign $1. I checked the Obama ‘08 Web site. They offer the budget-conscious supporter a generic 26-by-16-inch sign for $8. For those Obamites into conspicuous consumption, the site advertises a variety of 22-by-15-inch designer signs for $19.99. If this were an oil company, the Democrats would be accusing it of price gouging. As Kurt Vonnegut put it, “So it goes.”
That’s from an Obama supporter and volunteer too.
Maybe The Dunce can hold a bake sale to pay Jay’s invasion of Russia.
By Paul
August 18, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bookman,
I believe you correct to view the Russians with deep suspicion regarding the likelihood of keeping their agreements. The rest of it is a tad… well, I guess columns are comprised of a lot of opinions.
[[How did ‘we’ get into this mess?]] Just what mess are ‘we’ in? Russia invaded a democratic neighbor. “We” are the titular head of the free world, true. We will exert diplomatic pressure. But we are in a mess only to the extent we allow ourselves to be drawn in. And so far we aren’t in very far. But one could read the “mess” as the Russians altering the end of the post-Soviet Union framework. So the “mess” is the new reality and the question is, do we go along as before, or alter our policies towards Russia?
[[this is a war in which everybody has lost]] Except the Russians. What do you think their goals were? To the extent they achieved their goals, the Russians won.
[[those two impoverished areas surely aren’t worth the damage this war has done to Russia’s reputation and economic relationships.]] It appears the Russians disagree. Short-term diplomatic noise vs the last remaining nonRussian pipeline – they’ll ride out the noise. Which is all it will be, as Europe imports most of its energy from Russia. And now Russia controls the pipeline. Big message, there.
[[the United States has been embarrassed by its inability and unwillingness to protect a close ally from invasion.]] Where has it ever been said a key element of US foreign policy is to protect any of the world’s democracies, even our allies, from invasion? I do believe that is what treaties are for.
[[The Georgians wanted very badly to believe that America would come rescue them in a crisis]] They did? The “man in the street” – sure. The government? Since when do responsible governments make as a central foundation of foreign policy, ‘wishes’?
[[so surely the big, bad United States would return the favor for their little friend, right?]] Fodder for a column, not as a basis on which to base one’s foreign policy.
[[For their part, American officials gave the Georgians just enough subtle encouragement to keep that belief alive, in part because they never thought the crisis would come.]] State says they told the Georgians to not do anything that would give the Russians an excuse – and the Georgians disregarded and went their own way. If by “subtle” you mean there were cross-signals - welcome to diplomacy. Or if it’s meant Pres Bush heaped the diplomatic sweet-talk on Pres Saakashvili. Apparently, Pres S didn’t seem to have the judgment to distinguish between rhetoric and normal interaction, and in-the-clutch commitment. But Pres S isn’t the most seasoned politician – he is young (42), trained as a lawyer, not much government experience…. wait… not sure we want to go there….
[[Both the Georgians and Americans convinced themselves that the Russians would never dare treat a U.S. ally so harshly.]] You’re kidding? Americans convinced themselves a Russia flexing its muscles once again wouldn’t do what it had done in the past? In spite of what Putin has stated? Well, some in State, sure… and some columnists, sure –
[[ At root, the Georgian tragedy can be blamed on a disconnect in U.S. foreign policy]] The Russians were looking for an excuse. If not this one ( genocide, etc, which has since been discredited) they’d have found another.
[[In the end, the Georgians are victims not just of their own self-delusion]] Now that’s a fine statement. But the part that followed, well, seems some make way too much of this “we will defend democracy anywhere” nonsense. We won’t. Brazil invades Argentina. They’re both allies. Does the argument hold? No. But stability means our opponents don’t change the status quo to change what we will or won’t do. Why do you think we should be so much more in angst than are our European allies?
[[But unless our direct national interests are on the line, we aren’t willing to pay the price required]] Please keep repeating that when Pres Obama wants to invade Sudan. Or Somalia. Or Pakistan – especially now that Musharraf’s gone. Or to rephrase, why do American political leaders, and many in the press and public, want us to invade elsewhere when our direct national interests are not on the line?
By AJC/DNC Management
August 18, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
Ray: That’s o.k. but we’d prefer if you’d stay on your side of the aisle.
Thanks anyway!
(This is the best they got, the Cross in the sand, hehehe, nice.)
By Midori
August 18, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
that cross in the sand makes a lot more sense than you, um, “people” trying to paint Obama as unintelligent.
By RW-(the original)
August 18, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
Here are several more examples of cross drawing
I left a couple of others downstairs including an ear witness to the McCain story in 1971. I’m not really much of a McCain supporter, but those of you pushing this line that the cross story was a lie are going to destroy any chance of The Dunce getting elected.
Uh huh. Because the sign of the cross is a pretty well-kept secret, so how could prison guards invoke it twice in one century?
BWAHAHAHA
By AJC/DNC Management
August 18, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
I r o Dim: Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, who’s painting?
By Taxpayer
August 18, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
If BP or Exxon approach BushCo LLC and request help protecting their interest in that measly little pipe near Russia, then BushCo LLC will be obliged to provide a more convincing public lip service until its terms of service are completed. Short of undertaking such menial tasks between now and roughly year-end, the long-term goals of BushCo LLC were officially achieved once the major oil companies were invited back into Iraq — mission finally accomplished. Come January, BushCo LLC can formally declare itself insolvent and head back to the farm where the Bush and Cheney clans can get together with T. Boone and roast a pig or two on a spit, do a little picken and a grinnin’, and watch wayward flocks of our fine feathered friends get plucked and chopped up all in one fell “swoosh” of one of those composite wonders of post-modern engineering rotating at a comfortable 14 revolutions per minute. Life is good. Swoosh…..Swoosh…..bawck!…Swoosh…Hey, did you see that one! Wow! Pass me another brew, Dick.
By Earl
August 18, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
This has been a fearsome good day of whining from the moonbat liberals, the molders of the 1st Amendment have even managed to strike a pose against adultery and drug usage.
Will they all be born again soon?
I reckon they have all finally realized what a moron their presidential candidate is.
Angry, y’all?
By RW-(the original)
August 18, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
i always thought that it was silly to go after The Dunce for not being American and thus not eligible for the presidency, but he just said it himself it would seem
So who is your President BHO?
AJC/DNC-M,
To be fair they also have Ray and his little cheerleader’s potty mouths.
By AJC/DNC Management
August 18, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
RW: I too have noticed that the “unifiers” are awfully spiteful and enraged today.
I wonder why?
By @@
August 18, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
Damn! Paul @ 7:31:
That was one of your best posts thus far. I’m not sure Jay and I live in the same America.
[[The Georgians wanted very badly to believe that America would come rescue them in a crisis]] They did? The “man in the street” – sure. The government?
Our electoral college do have it’s advantages. We could do better when sending some to Washington, but we could sure do worse on our own.
Americans convinced themselves a Russia flexing its muscles once again wouldn’t do what it had done in the past? In spite of what Putin has stated? Well, some in State, sure… and some columnists, sure –
Jay sho ain’t talkin’ bout McCain. Jay sho ain’t talkin’ bout me. I kept my eye on Putin, but alas…..
~~~~~~~~~~~~OO~~~~~~~~~~~
Now, from the previous thread…….
OBlahMa’s floundering on the “life begins at” question which was above his pay grade? I’m unwillingly invested in the $300 million seed money from federal grants to Planned Parenthood (an OBlahMa supporter). It’s not above my pay grade…..IT BEGINS AT CONCEPTION.
Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, reported a record $1 billion in annual revenue in its most recent financial report — about a third of that coming from federal and state grants to care for low-income women. The nonprofit ended the year with a surplus of $115 million, or about 11% of its revenue, and net assets of $952 million.
Ain’t above Planned Parenthood’s pay grade either. Nosirree, they’re profits are doin’ just fine.
No way would OBlahMa reject his parental support. They’re endorsing HIS impending birth as president.
By RW-(the original)
August 18, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
The campaign has said that Obambi has made his VP choice and will announce it between Wednesday and Friday. How many days do you think he believes are in that window? I’ll go with Thursday unless he does something else really stupid before then and needs to move it up for cover.
By AJC/DNC Management
August 18, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
Kobe Bryant: Well, you know, it’s just our country is, we believe, the greatest country in the world. It’s given us so many great opportunities, and it’s just a sense of pride that you have, that you say, “You know what? Our country is the best.”
Not many people have the courage or the bravery to stand for what is right in the world today but when they do, we owe them.
Thank you, Kobe.
By Bud Wiser
August 18, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
How this idiot Ray gets by Jay’s censorboard is beyond me. I guess it all boils down to who is insulting who as the final determining factor.
And I get threatened by Jay for an obscure reference to American History?
Jay, your hypocrisy is showing, and it’s not a pretty sight.
And Ray, I think you’ve been doing more than ‘huffing paint’, a lot more. No doubt your lack of intelligence and education has put you in your current life’s condition, but somehow it is a Republican’s fault that you’re so stupid; your parentage maybe?
By RW-(the original)
August 18, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
AJC/DNC-M,
Kobe is also going to every other event he can to support the rest of the American team so it’s not just empty rhetoric.
You can get the video of that interview on patriotism here
Unless Collingsworth has gone moonbat(ic)® on us though I thinks she’s being a little tough on him. Chris has always asked incredibly goofy questions and he’s also been a solid Republican.
““““““““““““““““““`
Just an aside, but does anybody think it’s amusing that the Brazilian women’s beach volley ball team’s bikini tops just say Bra on the front and back.? I wonder if all their clothes have such descriptive labels.
By RW-(the original)
August 18, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Jay B,
You being a newsman and all or at least if you’ve moved beyond news you still have them around to ask, so perhaps you could entertain this question.
Question: Isn’t it big news when a leading candidate for president of the U.S. admits that since 2003 he has been lying about a vote he once made? Even more to the point, isn’t it big news when the candidate himself was on TV not long before that admission saying that everyone else is the liar? So, why is the media silent on the 180 degree about face that the Obama campaign has just made concerning Obama’s BAIP vote?
By AJC/DNC Management
August 18, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
Bud: Trust me, it makes no sense to rage against the machine here at the AJC/DNC blogs.
Just be as polite and considerate as you can while you go about tearing that as-s up.
Plus, there are few things better than making a lib sputter in frustration.
~~~~~
My goodness, I haven’t watched one second of the Olympics but the mere thought of the Brazilian woman’s volley ball team has me searching for the remote.
By JAY BOOKMAN
August 18, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
Ray’s comments are coming down, Bud. I’m not patrolling here 24/7, you know.
There is a life beyond this.
By @@
August 18, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
Good grief!
It’s their profits….
I could probably find more, but I’m not gonna look.
IHB
By Mrs.Godzilla
August 18, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
Good Evening all,
I’m glad to see Jay questioning the conventional wisdom on the whole Georgia Russia thing. Thanks.
As Mr. G would say, we have let our “battleship mouth out weigh our sailboat a$$”
Even if it was good idea to go over and kick Putin’s hind end, who we gonna’ send?Andy, Dusty, @@, Paul, Bud Wiser, RW and the folks who answer the phones on Pat Roberts telethons? DU-UH!
We have a crystal clear choice in November.
Last century, or next.
(I had NO idea how late it was. 5 comes earlier every day)
By JAY BOOKMAN
August 18, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
And to Paul:
I enjoy and respect your comments. You take your own informed look at things, without name-calling, and that’s great. If more folks took your approach, this would be a lot better blog.
But let me take issue with a few of the things on which you took issue with me:
”[[the United States has been embarrassed by its inability and unwillingness to protect a close ally from invasion.]] Where has it ever been said a key element of US foreign policy is to protect any of the world’s democracies, even our allies, from invasion? I do believe that is what treaties are for.”
That has been an assumption of American foreign policy for generations.
”[[The Georgians wanted very badly to believe that America would come rescue them in a crisis]]” They did? The “man in the street” – sure. The government? Since when do responsible governments make as a central foundation of foreign policy, ‘wishes’?”
Well, our own government invaded Iraq based largely on “wishes.” But I digress.
If you disagree with my explanation, come up with an alternative explanation for the behavior of Georgia’s government. When they sent troops into South Ossettia, did they believe that their army could whip the Russian army one on one? That would be a fantasy along the lines that Management is now enjoying with the Brazilian beach volleyball team. Ain’t gonna happen, in other words.
Clearly, the Georgian government did not believe that the Russians would respond as forcibly as they have. They miscalculated, in large part because they believed we had their back.
If you disagree, I’d be interested in hearing your own explanation for the Georgian government’s behavior. Because I can’t come up with an alternative that makes any sense.
By Bud Wiser
August 18, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
What I think about it is:
a: Yes, the Georgians apparently thought we’d cover their six. Apparently they aren’t up on current events to see we’re stretched about as thin as can be.
b. The Rooskies know Bush is a lame duck. He has no ‘legacy’ to protect, although I think that distant historians will look at it differently. They also seem to think that Obama has the inside track to the White House (They watch too much CNN). His spineless form of wishy washy countenance just suits them fine if he is elected. They will return in full force after January if that happens, so watch out Ukraine and the Baltic states, and the other previous Soviet satellites, you are next!
c. As for Iraq, my personal take on it is this….there were WMD’s, probably parked in Syria right now; too many intelligence agencies cannot be that wrong. I have maddened my wife by calling Iraq the “Bush-Daddy War”, because I felt that W went in there as much as anything to absolve in some way his own father’s failure to dispose of Saddam the first time, when it could have been the easiest time - turn him over to the World Court like Milosevic, or some such. It was not about oil, although it may soon appear that way if the current Iraqi Oil Ministry negotiations with American oil companies comes to fruition. If they turn over controlling interest of their oil, 90% is the figure I’ve read, to Exxon Mobile and/or a combination of companies thereof, it will reflect worse on Bush than the WMD issue. Right now, as I understand it, we still only buy about 10-15% of their oil on the spot market, but it looks as if that’s about to change.
d. And lastly, thanks for taking that fool Ray’s comments down. We do have to maintain some sense of propriety here.
By @@
August 18, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
Mrs. G:
If Russia has proven anything, it’s that rogue states and nonstate actors are here to stay. The 21st century will be no different than any other century.
It’s just the way it is…..
Welcome to the Real World Order.
~~~~~~~~~OO~~~~~~~~~~
JAY BOOKMAN:
“My Name is Earl”……just kidding.
I did say a poopin’ and Damn though. For that I am truly sorry. (ISH) <—————Insert smile here.
I’m stickin’ with the name OBlahMa though. I like the way it rolls off my fingertips.
O
Blah
Ma
By john carlos
August 19, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this
Well, I don’t think it’s so much about protecting a fledgling democracy in Georgia….but more about protecting the pipe lines that Russia covets in order to monopolize the energy source it can than use to call the shots. There was a reason why England and others put $billions in building that pipeline AWAY from Russia….Russians can NOT be trusted to have anyone’s welfare other than their own. You think they really care about South Ossetia if it wasn’t a pawn in the Russian plan to overthrow the Georgian president and replace him with a puppet Russia can control?
Russia can not compete with the west intellectually, economically, technologically, or scientifically…all they know is if all else fails (and it has) bolster the millitary and threaten, intimidate, and beat the cr@p out of smaller countries.
Russia was always a looser, is a looses and always WILL be a looser because frankly without oil it’s got nothing. And with the world working towards non-fossil fuel energy, well, all Russia can do is start fixing up its relic millitary equipment and bully everyone it can’t beat with smarts.
By AJC/DNC Management
August 19, 2008 5:54 AM | Link to this
If you ever wondered why we cannot count on our allies to defend themselves or NATO, here is a good place to start researching it:
Wanted: Gay Britons to spy for their country- Recruitment drive pushes more diversity- Urinal/PMS
No, nobody will ever notice the flaming pink outfit, not a chance.
~~~~~
Open the fire station. Close the fire station. Not a peep from the liberals:
Budget ax’s fall may not be even-State agencies are preparing to furlough employees and slash spending because of the budget crisis, but insurance companies, pig farmers and donors to private-school scholarship groups are keeping their tax breaks.- Urinal/DNC
I understand the liberals whining about the Repugs cutting state government, this goes against all of the tax raising principles that dimwitocrats hold dear to their hearts, but to moan about a scholarship program of any sort?
What’s da matter, worried about a few kids escaping thee indoctrination camp?
~~~~~
Nothing like rearranging history on behalf of your beloved, is there?
Obama did not hesitate. “I would argue that if you are making more than $250,000, then you are in the top 3, 4 percent of this country,” he said. “You are doing well.”-Urinal/DNC
Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, yeah, o.k.
~~~~~
Rush Limbaugh has made the observation that when Obama is away from his teleprompter the candidate’s soaring rhetoric stumbles into a non-stop succession of hems and haws. Lots of “ahhhhs” and “uhhhhs” and “uhhhh…ahhhh…uhhhhs.” To illustrate in entertaining fashion Limbaugh has even assembled a tape of Obama’s hemmings and hawings from a solitary press conference, stringing them together to hilarious effect.
Rush is on to something here, a big something. What, after all, is Obama doing while he stutters around in verbal no man’s land? The next time you see Obama in an unscripted TV appearance watch his face as he does this and you will see it in a flash. Obama is…yes…thinking. Telegraphing in utterly unconscious fashion to voters precisely what Rapaille says they do not want: a potential president who “thinks too much.” Thinking translated here as indecisiveness, weakness, dawdling, timidity.
Thinking about what?
Things he should already know?
Trying to remember the most appropriate goony talking point?
THESE COMPETING IMAGES of McCain as the man of action and Obama as the egghead thinker are slowly sinking in with the American electorate of 2008. The same electorate that has rewarded Batman and Rush with millions of viewers, listeners and dollars. The same electorate that gets up every single day in this country and looks in the mirror to see their own personal hero or heroine, their own version of Batman or Rush, someone who is fighting with everything they have in their reptilian brain to survive and thrive.
These Americans aren’t looking to be led by someone who has to think the whole thing through — hemming and hawing as they go.
What will Americans be voting for in 2008? The same thing they have been voting for routinely in every election since the beginning of American presidential elections. They want action. A willingness to risk. They want someone who doesn’t give a damn what others think.
Indeed.
By drew
August 19, 2008 6:13 AM | Link to this
Yeah…God forbid we have a president that actually thinks.
By Ben
August 19, 2008 6:30 AM | Link to this
Jay, are you implying that if not for Iraq, we could go in to Georgia, make war on Russia, and make everyone happy? That’s ludicrous. Even if we had never stepped foot in Iraq, we couldn’t do much, But I guess if you were in charge, we would rush in and start a major war against a big military power, and lose such a number of American lives as to make the Iraq thing look like a walk in the park (which, compared to other wars in terms of deaths, it is).
You the man, Jay! Wish we had a real hawk like you in charge.
By Bud Wiser
August 19, 2008 6:50 AM | Link to this
I’m sure that The Messiah has a handle on this…
(gag, choke, cough, uh er ohhhhh, arggghhhh, uh duh…)
By AJC/DNC Management
August 19, 2008 6:51 AM | Link to this
The report’s bombshell was news of how soon whites will lose their majority status. In a mere two decades non-Hispanic whites will be well on their way if not to extinction, then at least a spot on the endangered species waiting list. Sociologists call this the Shaker Syndrome. The Shakers, you may recall, were a weird religious sect that didn’t believe in procreating, or drinking, or much of anything except praying and making what are today very fashionable chairs, and who eventually went extinct from boredom. Evidently the entire white race has similar plans — not out of a religious duty, but rather because kids interfere with our careers and weekend golf plans. Only an age-group as narcissistic as the Me Generation could seek to live forever as individuals, while simultaneously and collectively signing a suicide pact.
The report will be great news for those who have always despised and sought to eliminate the white power structure, i.e., white liberals. However, some minority special interest groups will not take these new projections well. Where pray tell will the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rev. Al Sharpton find a bully pulpit when the minority groups they represent are no longer a minority? It’s not like they have actual parishioners to preach to. That mournful mooing sound you’re hearing is their milch cow drying up.
Yeah, really, try whining to the Mexicans and see what they tell you to do with it.
By Pat
August 19, 2008 7:18 AM | Link to this
Hmmm … don’t think I heard Jay advocating starting WWIII. It’s the hypocrisy, stupid - the way Bush & the right love to talk tough and make empty promises of “support”, all the while knowing that there’s virtually zero they can or will do. But if a Dem prez does the same? Well, that’s very different! He’s a gutless, weak-kneed appeaser.
That’s why every now and then, the Repubs need to go kick some small country to the curb. It makes ‘em feel strong again, so they can briefly forget that at the end of the day, the USA is a paper tiger against the big boys. All hat, no cattle.
That’s what it’s come to: instead of “Spreak softly, and carry a big stick,” our doctrine seems to be, “Shoot off your mouth everywhere you go, and carry a water pistol.”
By AJC/DNC Management
August 19, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this
“It’s one of those situations where the devil is in the details,” Obama said at one point. He could have been referring to his own oratorical shortcomings when a teleprompter is unavailable. We learned a lot more about the real Obama at Saddleback than we will next week as he delivers his acceptance speech in Denver before a massive stadium crowd.
For real, we need to get a picture of Thee Magnificent One reading from the teleprompter in Denver and make a big deal out of it.
What an empty suit this moron really is.
To any honest observer, the differences between John McCain and Barack Obama have been evident all along. What we saw last weekend was Obama’s shallowness juxtaposed with McCain’s depth, the product of his extraordinary life experience.
It may not have been a debate, but it was one of the most lopsided political contests in memory. No wonder Obama wants to keep debate formats boring and predictable.
By AJC/DNC Management
August 19, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this
By Pat August 19, 2008 7:18 AM That’s why every now and then, the Repubs need to go kick some small country to the curb. It makes ‘em feel strong again, so they can briefly forget that at the end of the day, the USA is a paper tiger against the big boys. All hat, no cattle.
That’s^^ the same United States that simultaneously defeated the empires of Japan and Nazi Germany.
Taliban fighters try to storm US base in Afghanistan- Seven were killed, six of them suicide bombers, ISAF said. Of those, three died after they detonated their suicide vests and three other would-be suicide bombers were killed by troops, who suffered no casualties. In Tuesday’s attack the rebels were stopped about 1,000 metres (yards) from the camp, ISAF said in a statement.
It’s funny how the United States couldn’t win in Iraq, couldn’t beat the Taliban, totally destroyed the North Vietnamese only to watch the demokowards surrender to the remnants, can’t beat Russia, blah, blah, blah, but yet the enemy still dies en masse before the awesome firepower of our military.
Must really suck for you libs.
By hillbilly ragger
August 19, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this
Bud Wiser gave us: “As for Iraq, my personal take on it is this….there were WMD’s, probably parked in Syria right now.”
Yep, they’re parked right next to the Tax Cut Fairy.
By AJC/DNC Management
August 19, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this
All is not well in thee Pinko Nation:
The New Agenda’s agenda is to look out for women’s political interests where the Democratic Party and old-line feminist organizations had failed. The attendees reserved special fury for the Democratic National Committee and its passivity before the misogynistic carnival. One of their specifics is getting MSNBC jester Chris Matthews fired — and if he intends to run for the Senate from Pennsylvania, to end that idea.
The New Agenda wants to become a women’s-voice alternative for the National Organization for Women and NARAL, which they see as moribund and appendages of the Democratic leadership. Members note that when rapper Ludacris sang a pro-Obama ballad calling Hillary “an irrelevant b-,” the president of NOW didn’t get out of bed to complain.
Hell hath no fury…………….
By Bud Wiser
August 19, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
I see that Pat must be a Republican, if the qualifications are, as he/she puts it…“Shoot off your mouth everywhere you go, and carry a water pistol.” Or in the case of Pat, just shoot off your mouth.
When will libs ever offer real solutions to anything they perceive as wrong, or like to criticize? Didn’t in the last century, no need to expect it in this one.
Let’s see now, to be a good Democrat, you must:
a: be quick to the trigger to point out everyone else’s faults.
b: know that the ‘ideas’ you are fed by your puppet masters at the DNC are superior to everyone else’s, so scream them out in an attempt to beat down the opposition…maybe they’ll relent just to keep you quiet. . c. subscribe to the Daily Kos, Huffington Pus/POS, etc., to get your talking points, because you cannot articulate any on your own, you must be told what to say, so be ready!
d. vote lockstep Democrat every time, no thinking required, it is what your masters want and expect.
e. not analyze the depth or character of your candidates, that has already been done for you. You are not yet ready to assume individual responsibility for casting a ballot, you will be instructed how to do so.
f. quit your job, if you have one; go on welfare, if you’re not already; quit paying for your own health insurance - we will assume that responsibility for you soon, buy a plane ticket with your kids’ lunch money to go to Denver to join the cast of thousands to swoon over The Messiah; come home, await further instructions.
By Bud Wiser
August 19, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
And Good Morning to you too, hillbilly,
Really up on that ‘fairy’ stuff, eh? Maybe you should tap, I mean, talk it over with Trash Man, if he ever comes back. Until then, I am sure that Midori and Bosch can fill you in on that sort of behavioral disorder.
By AJC/DNC Management
August 19, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
Meanwhile, as disturbing reports of rapes and murders of civilians continue to seep out of Russian-controlled South Ossetia, the Russians blocked a visit to the region by the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
What does Russia hope to gain by this partial occupation of a tiny neighboring country?
The West — the International Monetary Fund, the United States, the European Union — must help Georgia’s economy withstand the pressure, and it must make clear, including at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers today, that there can be no business as usual with Russia while this military campaign goes on. “This withdrawal has to be carried out without delay,” Mr. Sarkozy wrote in The Post yesterday. “For me, this point is not negotiable.” Russia seems set on putting Mr. Sarkozy’s determination to the test.
And the British, and the Canadians, and the Germans, and the Poles, and the Ukranians, and the Koreans…………………
Bwa.
By me
August 19, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
Please, Bookman. If Bush sent troops to assist Georgia, you’d be the first to criticize him for being a warmonger.
By Harpy
August 19, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
Russia knew that we would not be in a position to help Georgia. We have our Military engaged in two conflicts, we have a lame duck President and we are in the midst of an election where the news media is in the tank for the candidate who is weaker on national defense and international diplomacy. NATO should be dealing with this but the EU nations have less resolve than the Bush Administration. None of this is a surprise to Russia. Look at a map of the NATO countries and then look at what stands between Russia and both Europe and the Middle East. Georgia, Ukraine and Belarus are all in danger.
By Politics Aside
August 19, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
The Chinese sure can goose-step entertainingly. Did you get a load of the opening ceremonies? Those boots are made for woking. (sorry).
Why is foreign policy so crucial today? So what if we plant our flag on the Temple Mount or on the steppes of Russia? I want to direct everyone’s attention to a little guy called World War One!
Those misguided people waded into the trenches with their eyes wide open, simply because of obsolete notions of having or needing an ally. Afghanistan doesn’t have allies, yet, they held their own against Russia, and the US, and anyone who’s dumb enough to invade. Why?
Because the terrain dictates country borders Those borders are there because there’s either a mountain or a lake or a river or some impenetrable, unassailable natural fortress. One Taliban child with a slingshot can hold off an entire platoon of combat marines in some of the mountain passes on McTerrain’s Pakistani-Iraq border. McLame thinks Tomtom is a war drum, apparently.
It’s stopped being funny watching McFeign step in it while he boasts what he’d do if only he were the king of the forest. But McMane, what if you meet a bear? “Dont bother me with the what, who, why or where.” But, what if you meet a congressional insurgency? “Is this or isn’t this a plutocracy?” But, what if you meet up with a constitution? “I’d commit it to an institution!”
Yes, McReich would already have us in a war with Russia over click-heeled notions of there being no place like homeland security. I say let Russia bear the cost of their occupation. It will set their progress back as far as Iraq has set our progress back. When we look at Russia we look in a mirror, a carnival mirror that distorts everything so it looks like scrambled porn, (did you get a load of the Russian gymnasts? I surrender.)
This is why we need change. Right here is the best example in real life, with no spin, about why we need a fresh set of eyes to dismantle the entirety of the Cheney Doctrine of lobbied commercial military tyranny. We need to throw all the pirates out, (and Bush’s little dog too).
McCain 08: Steppin’ in the Russian Bearcrap
Putin 08: Liftin’ his leg and saying it’s rain to McCain.
If you’re surprised Russia found the money to invade anybody…..oil windfall. We need a Windfall Cossacks tax. (sorry).
By Jimbo I
August 19, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
Abortion is a pointless argument. If you don’t like them, don’t have one. It’s like gay marriage, if you don’t like it, don’t marry your same sex. People are too nosy and judgmental. Mind your own business and stay out of mine. I promise to stay out of yours.
The best we could’ve done was send Georgia a crapload of weapons. The fact that they didn’t instantly dissolve into guerrilla tactics after the first clash with the Russians either shows a commitment to protecting their civilians or poor military judgment.
Also, it has to be asked. If we had defeated the Chinese, then what? Occupation? War with the soviets? No thanks.
If we had won in Vietnam we would be a hell of a lot better at COIN because we would’ve spent years at it occupying North Vietnam.. no thanks.
We haven’t ever directly engaged the soviets and the logic that we lost our nerve goes back farther than Korea. Operation Unthinkable is when we lost our nerve. Google it if you don’t know the history.
If you want to push that point then Patton had the right idea all along. That would’ve been a bloody war but hell we had the bomb, right?
It’s easy to arm chair history. I know we won the Tet offensive, any fool should know that the only people who think we lost that fight were the reporters over there and I agree they poisoned public opinion. Its impossible however to understand how a change in history would’ve played out. Even saying “If only Gore had been elected” means nothing. He wasn’t, no one will ever know how his presidency played out “oh it couldn’t be any worse than this” is what I hear.. couldn’t it? If this is “the worst” then you need to reassess your life and its level of discomfort.
Russia has been doing dastardly things in Georgia and telling great big lies to cover them up. The south ossetians are committing atrocities, turns out that the Georgians didn’t really and didn’t kill 2,000 people.. more like 100. The south ossetians provoked the Georgians with cross border attacks.. what were they to do? The Russians claim the south ossetians are Russians! They must protect their citizens! The Russians issued citizenship in the breakaway provinces probably with the specific intent to use those people in this manner. The fleet that landed troops in Georgia was there within 48 hours.. that sort of readiness is unheard of anywhere. They would’ve had to have started moving the moment Georgia attacked and they would’ve had to have been ready to move at a moment’s notice, a hard thing to do with ships and men..unless you’re waiting for the opportunity.
In the end we won’t punish Russia as much as we’d like. The EU is dependent on their petroleum products and will endeavor to keep the oil flowing. We won’t engage them militarily because that would be foolish. Our military is weak right now. We aren’t prepared for a set piece battle or conventional military campaign. We’d need a draft, rationing, and dedicated military production to get on the proper war footing. Then we’d have to hope no one nuked anybody else. Russia doesn’t have “suspected WMDs”. They have tens of thousands of warheads.
By Jimbo I
August 19, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
McReich? As someone who doesn’t have a dog in your interdepartmental battle..
Obama has a lot more in common with the politics of Hitler than McCain does (Obama is ahead one vote in the “destroying our rights vote-a-thon with his support of FISA “reforms” and telecom immunity. They both voted for USA-PATRIOT, the both voted for the PAA and McCain abstained from voting for FISA reforms which is only half a degree better than Obama who flat out voted for them.. after promising not to vote for them.. On top of endangering your fourth and first amendment rights Obama is against your second amendment rights as well which was a key move by the third reich.. if you’re referring to the first or second reich.. well.. my apologies.. That said, the Nazis were a hell of a lot more clever circa 1939 than McCain is) PS, nice Godwin.
By Paul
August 19, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
AJC/DNC Management
Before you go searching for the remote:
Link: Danger in watching women’s beach volleyball
Mr. Bookman
Thank you for your response. Don’t really want to get into a - let’s see, Olympics time, so I need a sports metaphor – volleyball exchange. People can look at the same issue and see things differently. Not right or wrong. Just different.
I will say that there has been a general assumption we would come to the aid of our allies. Not every democracy. Allies. But it is tempered with realism. Georgia as a close ally? Close on a “feel good” level – but as a practical, national security level? I think not. And the Georgian government should have recognized the distinction. My treaty comment – background – many comments in the past on the AJC sites about the “legality” and “executive/legislative approval” required to commit US military. I was thinking of the outrage that would have occurred if we’d dispatched military without a “legal” basis. Treaties provide that – whether thru NATO or individual. But our “defend our allies” seems to be reserved for the longstanding ones – such as the Brits. Not every democracy we may want to label “close.”
Your last question – my answer is based on opinion, to a large extent – I do not view foreign affairs as a set of equations, always resulting in the same answer. More like cooking – sometimes you follow the same procedures and ingredients and at the end you look at your creation and ask “how the heck did that happen?” And sometimes you realize you used the same ingredients, but they were made by different companies. And as to the “facts” upon which I draw my conclusions (always subject to revision, of course) – even I can look at the same factual circumstances and come up with many “yeah, buts.” It’s the nature of the beast. And not all the factors carry equal weight - but they are all part of the mix.
I’ll try to be concise. And please excuse the “free form” this takes as I finish and rush to an appointment at the top of the hour.
I think you make a key point with “the Georgian government did not believe that the Russians would respond as forcibly as they have.” That bears repeating – but I do not think the Georgians thought they could do whatever they wanted and they would have American security guarantees. Even if that were the case, they obviously misread the Russians as much as they misread the Americans. Rather like getting shoved by the schoolyard bully and shoving back. Then the bully takes out a 9mm. The previous codes of conduct for shoving just ended.
Former Soviet Republics (which were not historically part of “Russia”) forged closer ties with the West. They established democracies and sought military alliance thru NATO. Some under former Soviet domination now are part of NATO – Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, Poland. Russia itself struggled with its economy and democracy. Putin gets elected, embarking on a huge energy gambit. Indeed, Russian economic expansion – before the turn of the century, problematic – was driven by energy. A huge part of their GDP is energy-related. I referenced the reliance Europe has on Russian-supplied energy. And Putin – he of the oft repeated “the greatest geopolitical tragedy of the century was the dissolution of the USSR” phrase – effectively gutted democracy in Russia.
Georgia had separatist movements within their country. The movement even established a “government” in S Ossetia – not recognized. Russia encouraged the movement, also got military “peacekeeping” forces established in Georgia. Georgia’s gov’t changed from pro-Russia to western-style democracy a few years ago. Armed action by S Ossetian separatists escalated, Georgia moved in and Russia struck.
So Russia, in the past, had rumbled – but not attacked a nation outside its borders since the USSR became Russia. That was the construct. But the factors had changed – neighboring countries’ political alliances shifting from Russia to the West, European reliance on Russian exports, resurgent desires in Russia for influence – and the past rules governing conduct ended. Russia invaded, possibly setting the stage for removal of Georgia’s pro-western government. Russia secured the last remaining pipeline, I believe, into Europe. Russia notified former Republics on its borders that a new reality had dawned. Overnight, they changed the rules of how they would interact with their neighbors and the international community. And they really don’t care, yet, what we think, because they have not yet had any repercussions – absent the Polish agreement, now possibly one with Ukraine.
So Georgia misread the game - they didn’t see the changes - and the Russians changed the rules. It’s a new day in Europe and we’d better shift gears, quickly. And returning to the Cold War model is shifting in Reverse.
Out for a while -
By SaveOurRepublic
August 19, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
Fyi, there’s been some sparse talk of Georgia having initated this entire ordeal (whilst receiving guidance from U.S. and Israeli military advisors) & this proclaimation of Georgia being the victim being Neocon propaganda/spin. Now, I’m not sold on that as being totally legitimate, but it’s indeed something to ponder.
That being said, the U.S. needs to cease this endless meddling in foreign conflicts. We need to be staunchly non-inventionalist and leave foreign skirmishes to those nations. In addition, we need to withdrawal membership from the Globalist Elite controlled UN and remove their HQ from American soil. The UN is corrupt and undermines U.S. sovereignty. We need strict adherence to the Constitution and a return to the precepts that our Republic was founded on…and a quick departure from this Machiavellian-spawned Neocon/Globalist foreign policy!
http://www.jbs.org
By Taxpayer
August 19, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
This country has been run into the ground by the Bush administration and the Republican party and their failed domestic and foreign policies. Russia knows that we cannot even look tough any more because we don’t have anything to even put out there in a show of force. That big red button that once symbolized our might is just a facade. The copper was stripped out and sold years ago to help buy more ammunition. Reagan had real military might to back up his stance and the USSR did not know how far he was willing to go. Putin does not have similar concerns with Bush or any potential US commander in chief for that matter.
By Jake
August 19, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
The appropriate response is not to defend worthless Georgia but to use the forces in Iraq and Afghanistan to conquer and permanently annex Iran. Remove a threat, get some oil, and see what the Russians will do about that.
By Del
August 19, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
Well….Comrade Bookman blames the United States and not the Russians for their aggression. When he says we’re powerless to do anything he must have been asleep when the agreement with Poland to stage interceptor missiles was anounced. The Russian government and military know that we possess the better strategic capability and are banking on a liberal democrat in the high office next year with a democratic congress owned by the far left. It may back fire on Putin if the American people conclude that given this Russian stunt there is no time for OJT in the White House.
By Jimbo I
August 19, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
@Jake
Get educated.
Georgia has a major oil pipeline that carries oil from Azerbaijan, which by the way, is sandwiched between a hostile Iran and a hostile Russia and has its own provincial issues to contend with. Those guys also have soldiers in Iraq which is curious considering they’re a muslim majority country sharing a border with Iran.
Anyway, back to my original point. Georgia is anything but worthless. It’s a strategically important bit of real estate, for Azerbaijan and for the countries that rely on the supplies that go through it. It’s also a thorn in the Russians’ side because it provides a resource they can’t control and takes a little wind out of their growing petroleum monopoly.
Attacking Iran will unite the people there against us. Remember the Iran/Iraq war where thousands and thousands of soldiers engaged in suicidal charges against fixed Iraqi defenses? They don’t have to do that anymore, they can just hand out the suicide vests and send them on their way after “major combat operations have ceased”.
The absolute best thing to do with Iran is to isolate them and continue to let their people have access to western television via satellite. Without external intervention in their affairs the teetering islamic republic should eventually fall from within. Especially with all the younger generations getting tired of being told what to do.
By Jimbo I
August 19, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Both Poland and the Ukraine are better prepared to deal with Russian aggression than Georgia was. Poland in particular (and probably the Ukraine too) has had an axe to grind with Russia for a century or more since Russia was one of the nations historically responsible for consistently removing their independence.
The Russians are currently paying rent to the Ukrainians for their naval facilities on the Black Sea. The Ukrainians are sort of p** at their renters about the whole Georgia thing too. I don’t think their lease will be renewed.
By Peter
August 19, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
Well this comment is really what America has become all about……………
But unless our direct national interests are on the line, we aren’t willing to pay the price required.
Heck……….the only reason we are in IRAQ is so the OIL companies can finally get the oil the covet…………
And of course so the Republicans can Bilk the nation with their cost Plus contracts………Great for the friends of Bush and Cheney…….
BAD FOR AMERICA !
By Jake
August 19, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
Jimbo - I disagree, this is more of a power play than a seizure of valuable assets. The pipeline only provides 1% of global production. We theoretically already control more than that in Iraq. Why not add Iran? “Unite against us?” They hate us anyway. Virtually all of the “Persians”, i.e. Shah and U.S. loyalists left Iran years ago or were eliminated.
By SaveOurRepublic
August 19, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Jimbo I, well said on Iran. Letting them be is the best move. We’re already far too attached in Iraq & Afghanistan. The whole Iraq offensive was based on a false flag operation for Empire Building, corporate welfare & lining the pocket$ of Big Oil (part of the gaggle of the Neocon’s puppeteers…along with AIPAC). It’s far beyond time to bring our troops home from Iraq & Afghanistan (which “Juan McAmnasty” & “Barcock Obummer” certainly won’t do…despite “Barcock’s” empty rhetoric).
Jake, you are correct too…this is a power-play move for further Globalist control & to bait Russia. The best option to steer clear of the whole ordeal.
By saywhat
August 19, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
Jay - for one of the very few times - I totally agree with your opinion. Though I admit that I have been a strong GWB supporter, it makes me sick and mad as hell that we are not defending Georgia with more than pointing a finger and saying “please don’t do that” which turn into “please stop doing that”. It shows total weakness on our part - while the Russians laugh at us. I guess the Cold War is back. Maybe Russia is trying to “stimulate” their economy by creating a war. All I know is that we told the world in 1991 that we were not going to allow another country to invade one of allies when Iraq invaded Kuwait. Now - once again - we have egg on our face and there seems to be NO ONE with the b*s to stand-up to the Russians. I’m very disappointed with our policy (or lack thereof). How sad at what we have become.
By T
August 19, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Paul Always nice to read your posts.
This should be a very eye opening event for those who believe that America will always stand up for it’s allies.
By Jimbo I
August 19, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
The average Oligarch is a hell of a lot more intelligent than the average NeoCon.
You should also never underestimate Russian pride. Especially out of former soviets.. Remember, when Barbarossa commenced we gave them three weeks. A few years later they were winning the European war for us (Man were they afraid of the Japanese navy though.. The Russians have long memory too I guess).
I’m waiting to see what the next incarnation of Russian government is. Some of the Cossack leaders feel that Putin their new Czar and they’re itching to fight for him.
By Jimbo I
August 19, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
The average Oligarch is a hell of a lot more intelligent than the average NeoCon.
You should also never underestimate Russian pride. Especially out of former soviets.. Remember, when Barbarossa commenced we gave them three weeks. A few years later they were winning the European war for us (Man were they afraid of the Japanese navy though.. The Russians have long memory too I guess).
I’m waiting to see what the next incarnation of Russian government is. Some of the Cossack leaders feel that Putin their new Czar and they’re itching to fight for him.
By Jimbo I
August 19, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
The average Oligarch is a hell of a lot more intelligent than the average NeoCon.
You should also never underestimate Russian pride. Especially out of former soviets.. Remember, when Barbarossa commenced we gave them three weeks. A few years later they were winning the European war for us (Man were they afraid of the Japanese navy though.. The Russians have long memory too I guess).
I’m waiting to see what the next incarnation of Russian government is. Some of the Cossack leaders feel that Putin their new Czar and they’re itching to fight for him.
By Patriot4Life
August 19, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Y-y-yeah! The average o-o-oligarch is a stank-ho compared to the average n-n-neocon!
Saywhat: Bush and what army?
Do you conservatives live on this planet? Do you ever address an issue with reality?
Is that a rocket tube in your pocket or are you just enriched to see Valerie Plame?
By Jimbo I
August 19, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
Jake- There is a lot discontent there. The ruling party has taken to banning reformist parties from taking part in elections and there are protests.
Apparently Iranians love western television and music and both have been banned.. which apparently works about as well as bans work here.
just as a lot of foreign nations believe George Bush and his policies represent the beliefs of the whole of the United States we tend to believe that the Iranian government represents the policies and beliefs of all of their people and it simply isn’t true.
By Lewis
August 19, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
Russia is winning this one. They expose the Bush administration as a bully who will “stand up for democracy” by force only against weaklings. When they see a fight they think they might lose, our principals go out the window…its just a lot of blah blah blah. Put up or shut up, I say…so hopefully Bush will shut up.
By Peadawg
August 19, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
Thanks GWB for making the U.S. look like a dog w/ his tail between his legs.
By Jimbo I
August 19, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
Now the Russians have seized some of our HMMWVs from Poti that were waiting to be shipped back to one of our bases in Europe.. I’d hate to be the soldier filling out that property form…
“Hey uh.. Hey LT, my truck was stolen by Russians..”
By Midori
August 19, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
WOW!!!
look at how great McCain speaks without a teleprompter!! Tres IMPRESSIVE!!
By Willie
August 19, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Well I have had enough of the Amercia bashing!! Every war we have been in since the beginning there were liberals screaming for the sake of the enemies. In Nam they took pictures of a bombing or shelling scene and called me baby killer! They Lied to the people and got them believing nonsense because they dislike the president or the war cause. Liberals just do not understand that you kill and break things in war(probably because they never volunteer). AND you do not blame or prosecute your soldiers because YOU do not believe in a non politically correct war. With all this America bashing and hating…all I can say is “BE an American and Bi$$ch slap a liberal.”
By Midori
August 19, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
LOL
separated at birth?
By Shawny
August 19, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
so, Bookman, what did Russia lose?
Damage to their reputation? How many bbls of oil or units of natural gas is a reputation worth? I don’t think they are worried about reputation. And the UN isn’t too worried either. Where is the smackdown from NATO?
By FrankLeeDarling
August 19, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
Well willie in AMERICA people are free to say and believe what they want to. to strike someone for doing so is called assault
By Mike
August 19, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
Better for the Russians to pull this now and not next year.
Imagine their fear when Barack, Pelosi, Reid and Secretary of State Cindy Sheehan show up to negotiate.
How do you say, “wow, I’m scared” in Russian?
By Poste Haste
August 20, 2008 5:50 AM | Link to this
Yeah, it’s a good thing we have Bush as commander in briefs. He’s an underwear boy who thinks russian tanks are cool.
The bible is a history of man, not god. Man keeps re-enacting the same war over and over.
The cliche here is the only one that’s actually true: violence begets violence. What did we unleash on the world by invading an innocent country like our former ally Iraq? The Furies of Attrition. It gets in the air and infects men, and we cant feel right unless we attack something, blow up something, or kill someone, (legal like, you know, thou shalt not kill, unless you’re wearing a helmet and have dogtags)
that’s just us. Bush/Cheney will go down in history as the biggest human criminal since Taras Bulbar stole all those women and raped all those horses.
Some folks think that a vote for McCain is a vote for four more Bush-years, (which is 100 more years in dogs-of-war years).
But McCain is even more of a hawk than Bush. McCain could be the straw that breaks the peace. A vote for McCain is a vote for war, total war.
McCain 08: Things aren’t bad enough. Lets draft an army and march. Somewhere.
Obama 08: America sound. America found.
By Edward Karlson
September 9, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this
I’m worried about Georgia, the USA State of Georgia, guaranteed a republican form of government, by the U.S. Constitution. What is the status of a federal judge striking down Georgia’s law against same sex marriage? If Georgia decided to be its own country, how long would it take for American army tanks and forces to invade to stop it? I don’t care about Georgia by Russia. We sic’d Georgia on Russia like a dog and Putin hit back. There is a clear American agenda to surround Russia with American missile armed dog countries to bearbait Russia. I sent an op-ed to the Moscow Times advising Russia set a “line of fire” policy making any country responsible for their forces being hit by Russian defensive action in countries hosting them. The Cheney-led American imperialism must be stopped because imperialism always comes home to rule. Cheney has oil interests in that region and the West has an agenda to take Russia down.