The Whole World's Watching

Russian Troops Hold Drills in Serbia

Source: ABC News

Camouflage-clad Russian soldiers parachute from the sky, armored vehicles fire live rounds on an open field after being dropped from military transport jets and helicopters fire missiles against enemy positions.

Although the flat terrain resembles the Ukrainian war zones, this is not an armed Russian intervention against its neighbor. It's the first-ever joint Serb-Russian military exercise in Serbia, the Balkan country that has been performing a delicate balancing act in between its Slavic ally Russia and Western Europe, with which Belgrade wants to integrate.

The "anti-terrorist' drill on Friday — the first such by the Russians outside the former Soviet Union — of elite Russian troops in northern Serbia, not far from NATO-member Croatia, has stirred controversy both here and abroad.

"Serbia's government wants to try and keep everyone happy," said prominent Balkan political analyst Tim Judah. "So, the U.S. helps finance and modernize Serbia's army while now Serbian soldiers train with Russians. In normal times there would be little to say about this, but post-Crimea, these are not normal times anymore."



Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/russian-troops-hold-drills-serbia-26913234

With all of the purge talk, maybe we should ask: why are we Democrats?

I think a bit of soul searching is in order. By thinking about and perhaps answering this question we may be able to reclaim a common bond and decide where we go from here. I don't think the answer is or should be "because I don't want to be a Republican" or "the other side is worse."

I think we should discuss that here. I mean an overall theme, not specific issues. I am starting this to try to get to the root of the problem.

For me, it boils down to fairness. When someone gets too little pay for her daily toils, I see injustice. When the gay kid gets cornered and beaten in the locker room, I want to protect him. When I see people forced to live in hell so a tiny bunch of fat cats can lick the cream, I want Robin Hood.

Others probably have better reasons. Maybe government helping people. What is yours?