So Russia and Georgia just went to war

[dead0man]

We'll turn our backs on them like we (not just the US, the West at large) have done many times before all over the world.  If we have nothing to gain but the liberty of others, we're not very consistent about helping.

[dead0man]

Is any side ever?

[dead0man]

It's sad to see that that the U.S. media cares much more about John Edwards and his infidelities than it does about the situation in Georgia.

Although we should expect nothing less, I suppose.

All the links in this thread have been to American news sources haven't they?  It's not shocking at all that the TV news isn't covering it.  It's been in the paper, I've heard the radio talking about it.  The internet is all a buz.  TV news sucks.

[dead0man]

CNN lead off this morning with the story of an American athletes family memeber being murdered in China.  Then went on to the Edwards comedy.  After that it was the war in Georgia.

[dead0man]

But in general, Georgia plays a bit of a greater role here... and we have more public TV stations.

It is a lot closer geographically and historically.  The number of Americans who can ID Georgia on a map are in the single digits I'm sure. 

(it is confusing down there post Soviet break up.  Georgia, Armenia and  Azerbaijan all sandwhiched together and what not.)

[dead0man]

I actually agree with StatesRights here, Putin's Russia is super manipulative and wants a large Russian sphere. I am surprised they didn't take advantage of the ethnic Russian riots in Estonia.

Thanks to them being in NATO.  If they were not, Russia would probably have done to them what they are currently doing to Georgia.  And the same people would have said that Estonia started it.

[dead0man]

I wonder if this will help a few people decide who side they're going to be on in this:

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[dead0man]

We'll turn our backs on them like we (not just the US, the West at large) have done many times before all over the world.  If we have nothing to gain but the liberty of others, we're not very consistent about helping.

You think we SHOULD intervene?

It would make more sense than helping Saudi Arabia.

[dead0man]

The Russians have been mistreating the Georgians since before independence. In fact, for a good couple of centuries.

but haven't you heard?  The Georgians started it...THIS TIME!

[dead0man]

I'm not sure how (I've been busy with research), but this somehow ties into Kosovo -- Russia is "liberating" "oppressed" Ossetians in Georgia in the way "NATO" "liberated" "oppressed" Kosovar Muslims in Serbia. But damned if the Georgians expect the European NATO members to do a thing about it, since they didn't do a thing in the Balkans as well. The US can't, either -- not because of nuclear fears, but simply because the country is too far away from any real ally.

Have you looked at a map recently?  Turkey and Iraq are right next door.  Greece, Kuwait and Israel aren't to much further.  We flew tons of sorties out of the middle of Missouri when we invaded Iraq.

Again, it won't be lack of ability that keeps the US from helping the Georgians defend themselves.

[dead0man]

You guys are giving the Russian military WAY to much credit here.

[dead0man]

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1831523,00.html

I agree.  These people want to swallow the lies their leaders tell them.

[dead0man]

So, what do you guys think the chances of Russian tanks rolling into Tbilisi are?

As prepared as they were for this war that they are claiming was started "by the other guy" I'd guess that was their plan the whole time.  You don't just pull a column of tanks out of your butt.

[dead0man]

So, what do you guys think the chances of Russian tanks rolling into Tbilisi are?

As prepared as they were for this war that they are claiming was started "by the other guy" I'd guess that was their plan the whole time.  You don't just pull a column of tanks out of your butt.

Yes. The Russians had very good inside intelligence in Georgia. Saakashvili like the dumb motherf***er he is made the decision to move forces into South Ossetia and the Russians probably knew within 15 minutes he'd done it.

Again, you don't just pull a column of tanks out of your butt.

[dead0man]

I'm fully expecting permanent Russian garrisons around Georgia, a pliant client state installed, Abkhaz "independence," and South Ossetia very possibly annexed to Russia.

And that should be unacceptable to the west and worthy going to war over.

[dead0man]

I'm fully expecting permanent Russian garrisons around Georgia, a pliant client state installed, Abkhaz "independence," and South Ossetia very possibly annexed to Russia.

And that should be unacceptable to the west and worthy going to war over.

Not worth a nuclear war. And that's what any war between the West and Russia would entail...

You're right.  We should let Hitler Putin have his Sudetenland Georgia.

[dead0man]

...and that's the first time I've Godwin'ed a thread in a long time

[dead0man]

Of course.  But you agree this is his Sudetenland?

[dead0man]

Just regular old appeasement then?

[dead0man]

Hopefully you're right.