WP: We are all Georgians- Not so Fast

[grantcart]

This article once again shows that Obama is better on the facts and the strategy and that McCain is just plain dangerous.

The whole article is very factual on Georgia and their conflict with Russia.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/14/AR2008081401360.html?nav%3Dslalocal%20chttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/14/AR2008081401360.html?nav%3Dslalocal%20chttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/14/AR2008081401360.html?nav%3Dslalocal%20chttp&sub=new

'We Are All Georgians'? Not So Fast.

By Michael Dobbs
Sunday, August 17, 2008; Page B01

It is unclear how the simmering tensions between Georgia and South Ossetia came to the boil this month. The Georgians say that they were provoked by the shelling of Georgian villages from Ossetian-controlled territory. While this may well be the case, the Georgian response was disproportionate. On the night of Aug. 7 and into Aug. 8, Saakashvili ordered an artillery barrage against Tskhinvali and sent an armored column to occupy the town. He apparently hoped that Western support would protect Georgia from major Russian retaliation, even though Russian "peacekeepers" were almost certainly killed or wounded in the Georgian assault.


It was a huge miscalculation. Russian Prime minister Vladimir Putin (and let there be no doubt that he is calling the shots in Moscow despite having handed over the presidency to his protege, Dmitri Medvedev) now had the ideal pretext for settling scores with the uppity Georgians. Rather than simply restoring the status quo ante, Russian troops moved into Georgia proper, cutting the main east-west highway at Gori and attacking various military bases.

Saakashvili's decision to gamble everything on a lightning grab for Tskhinvali brings to mind the comment of the 19th-century French statesman Talleyrand: "It was worse than a crime, it was a mistake."

clip

Instead of speaking softly and wielding a big stick, as Teddy Roosevelt recommended, the American policeman has been loudly lecturing the rest of the world while waving an increasingly unimpressive baton. The events of the past few days serve as a reminder that our ideological ambitions have greatly exceeded our military reach, particularly in areas such as the Caucasus, which is of only peripheral importance to the United States but of vital interest to Russia.

[FrenchieCat]

1. McCain has a bigger mouth than Bush. That's really, really dangerous!

[grantcart]

2. Its not his mouth that worries me its his temper

[AndyTiedye]

3. McAngry Will Probably Start World War III If He Gets (s)Elected

Time for another "Daisy" ad.
This is the original. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKs-bTL-pRg

[Spazito]

4. Excellent article, filled with actual facts...

an increasing rarity these days.

Thanks for posting this, it is much appreciated.

Recommended.

[grantcart]

5. and anyone reading the article can see clearly that Obama had a much better grasp of

the situation than McCain who further debased himself by trying to use it inflame Christians with his remarks at the Church.


I thought that after responding with a bellicose answer to Warren's question about when he would committ American lives in combat and he went on a belligerent tirade about Russia there was an ominous silence in the Church.

[Spazito]

6. Interesting, I, too, felt there was a reduction in the level of applause

after his comments on this. I agree, as well, re your point on Obama's position and how it and this article shows clearly who has the better grasp of the complexities of the region and the current crisis.

[autorank]

7. That was in the Post, damn.

Maybe The Money Party will (s)elect Obama.

I'm surprised that the Post would even run an article that had this much truth in it.

In point of fact, the Georgians were negotiating with the Russians at the time they attacked.
Does that ring any bells.

Russia did what any mega power would do. They marched in, cut the country in half just make a point,
and left after rattling a few cages, including Bush's.

McCain is beyond absurd. I can't believe he's polling where he is. This was one of the most insulting
statements made in the past few years because it assumed that anyone would say other than WTF?

[K8-EEE]

8. Well, Bush and McCain are

In the sense of, let's go do some stupid military shit and have the people pay for it.

[Median Democrat]

9. Nice Article - Facts Are Lost In Cable News

The article is consistent with other articles discused in this thread regarding the background and causes of the conflict:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Median%20Democrat/31

However, just like Iraq, the TV types follow Bush/McCain's war mongering spin like sheep in arguing that Russia initiated a surprise attack on South Ossentia and Georgia. Moreover, no one is commenting on the idiotic comments coming from Georgia's President. He signs a cease fire, then vows that he will violate it by taking back the breakaway regions? What if these regions want independence? Is he going to continue with an ethnic clensing campaign?

[grantcart]

13. thanks for that

[Muttocracy]

10. thanks for this. nt

[grantcart]

11. thank you

[Norrin Radd]

12. kr