[N. Beaujon]

A dramatic speech,a powerful article, hopefully marking a dramatic turn of events. Is it possible that this is a "tipping point"? Will the world (Europe) finally wake up? ARE THEY EVEN ANY MORAL STIRRINGS OUT THERE FROM OUR GREAT ALLIES? Has Kerry even mentioned this once or is he still out there whining about health care and scaring the seniors in nursing homes or drumming up class warfare in the rust belt over jobs? Haven't heard him mention a word.

[Jet Jaguar]

Good post.

[Gerasimov]

"We showed weakness, and weak people are beaten,"

Wow ... there's no way Kerry can mention this ... it makes the case against a pacifist like Kerry.

[ProudVet77]

"He promised wide-ranging reforms to toughen security forces and purge corruption." That worries me for the Russian people. Putin could use this as a way of going back to the old ways.
On the other hand I wish him luck on taking out terrorists. Perhaps he could squeeze Iran. Not sure what else he can do, the Russian Army has already proven they can't win in Chechnya.

[Hank Rearden]

Marat Avsarayev, a 44-year-old taxi driver in Vladikavkaz, questioned why Putin and other politicians didn't "even think about fulfilling the (militants') demands to save the lives of the children. Probably because it wasn't their children here."

I never would have guessed that's a French name.

[Cincinna]

President Putin: Welcome to the real world

[Robert_Paulson2]

Measures would be taken, Putin promised, to overhaul the law enforcement organs, which he acknowledged had been infected by corruption, and tighten borders.

---

This border stuff sounds all-too-familiar somehow.

Lord God, Please help Vladmir keep it together and find the right way for his people. Help him see his way clear to form new alliances and protect the future generations. Help the Russian people in their hours and days of grief, and bring them renewed hope.

Lord help us to see our future, if we don't stay the course to protect ourselves and the world from the terrible scourge of this murderous and deadly false religion. Help us get the bad guys, before they kill the innocent, not just here, but wherever they lurk and scheme to take innocent lives.

Protect the borders. keep the killers out.

[Dont Mention the War]

Marat Avsarayev, a 44-year-old taxi driver in Vladikavkaz, questioned why Putin and other politicians didn't "even think about fulfilling the (militants') demands to save the lives of the children. Probably because it wasn't their children here."

Wonder how many dozens of people this guy had to interview before he got the quote he wanted.

[dasboot]

Vlad must become the Impaler.

[EaglesUpForever]

financed by Abu Omar As-Seyf, an Arab

What a surprise. Wonder what his "religion" is?

We pussyfoot around "sacred" shrines, while those inside plot ways to murder children in schools.

[wideminded]

"We showed weakness, and weak people are beaten,"

The thing I noticed in the various pictures of Putin visiting the survivors in the hospital is that he didn't show any emotion at all. Maybe he was trying to project strength or maybe he only cares about the victims in as far as it will affect his own political position. I wonder how this plays in Russia.

[RonnG]

On Sunday, Putin should declare Chechnya a free and independent country and on Monday declare war and utterly destroy it.

[AZLiberty]

Methinks Putin has rejected Kerry's advice about running a more sensitive War on Terror. I'm looking forward to Russia's insensitive response to this outrage against civilization.

[LayoutGuru2]

Please consider making a donation for the families.

HELP THE CHILDREN AFFECTED BY THE TERROR ACT IN BESLAN
http://www.moscowhelp.org/

[ArmstedFragg]

Has Kerry even mentioned this once

I'm sure we'll be hearing from him shortly after we hear the expressions of outrage from the Children's Defense Fund.

[bgarid]

There is one word missing in Putin's dramatic speech, however.

VENGEANCE!!!

[Casloy]

Not sure how much footage of this tragedy is being shown in the US, but EURO news, which is my only source of TV news, showed about 5 minutes of what they call "No Comment" news on the aftermath. It is beyond heartbreaking to watch as the camera slowly pans across an endless row of dead children, killed in the most violent manner, after spending days in agonizing terror. If anyone thinks Kerry has some creative way to solve this they are mistaken. There is no creative way of stopping this short of killing anyone and everyone who conducts this kind of terror. These people are psychotics who have found a venue for their mental illness. It appears the Russians may have finally realized it. I don't expect the French ever will.

[OldFriend]

Putin being former KGB gives insight into a bully. When he had a secret organization around him he seemed strong. Now that he has to lead and is out there on his own he seems to have no strength or ability to lead.

His response to the loss of the Kursk ought to have given us a clue. He stayed on vacation, was helpless to do or say the right thing at the time.

There have been apartment house bombings and other horrific acts of terror that have gone unpunished.

The man seems clueless and powerless.

[xzins]

He should not have promised not to attack.

[BlessedBeGod]

"Fathers will bury their children, and after 40 days (the Orthodox mourning period) ... they will take up weapons and seek revenge," said Alan Kargiyev, a 20-year-old university student in Vladikavkaz.

Waiting 40 days is not a good idea. So much else can happen during that time. You need to strike immediately. There will be time for mourning later.

[Chieftain]

"We showed weakness, and weak people are beaten,"

ATTENTION ALL LIBERALS: THIS IS YOUR FINAL WAKE-UP CALL.