War in Georgia: Yawns and Kneejerks in America

Discovery Institute ^ | 8/8/08 | Charles Ganske

[BlazingArizona]

Predictably, in the wake of Russia sending reinforcements to back up its peacekeepers under seige by the Georgian army in the tiny disputed territory of South Ossetia, Arizona Senator and Republican Presidential candidate John McCain is denouncing the move as "Russian aggression" against Georgia. Nevermind that it was the Georgian army which launched the offensive that ignited the present round of fighting, and thousands of refugees have been streaming out of South Ossetia into Russia.

[BlazingArizona]

The Discovery Institute ("Junk science - it's not just for liberals anymore") supports Russia's war on Georgia. Do they have proof that Stalin and dinosaurs lived at the same time

[Coffee200am]

No protests in European streets over this yet...I think it’s still late 2004 or 05 over there. It will take years to remove “It’s Bushes Fault for Everything” from their minds.

[goldstategop]

He does have a good point. If we insist on expanding NATO to Russia's borders, Russia can re-establish its military presence in Cuba and expand it to Venezuela. When it comes to invading each other's backyard, two can play the game. That's why our government is contenting itself with rhetorical support for Georgia. Russia is defending its national interests - the same as any other nation and these include its interests in the Caucasus.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[eclecticEel]

It’s interesting how in all these articles Russian soldiers are continually referred to as ‘peacekeepers’. Of course, it’s part of a soldiers job to keep the peace, I just find it interesting how such subtle uses of language are used to reinforce a particular viewpoint - in this case to mask the idea that Russia is in this case acting aggressively.

[nuconvert]

“Nevermind that it was the Georgian army which launched the offensive that ignited the present round of fighting,”

OH Really???? Is that what the Russians are telling you, Mr. Ganske?

[piytar]

As I learn more, it is clear that Russia is the aggressor and is in the wrong here. Russia is now bombing civilians in towns and cities throught Georgia. Russia isn’t looking to back Georgia off, Putin is looking to conquer Georgia by force of arms.

Scary.

[BullDog108]

That is what the liberal media is claiming. Myself, I believe it takes two to tango. May they both loose....

[Bobalu]

After the U.S. and NATO countries recognized the independence of Kosovo in early 2008, the South Ossetians and Abkhazians decided they could also declare their independence from Georgia, which has sparked the recent round of fighting.

I found this one bit of wisdom in the article...the rest is not so good...

[piytar]

throught = throughout PIMF/posting from a phone

[jim35]

Yeah, I find that pretty hilarious too. Does Ganske work for the NYT?

[Decombobulator]

The fact that Georgia launched an offensive into South Ossetia is not denied by anyone, not even Georgia itself.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

From other posts I've read Russia sent a contingent of troops into South Osseta to stir up trouble. They issued Russian passports to lots of people in order to claim those people were Russian citizens and then called their trouble makers Peacekeepers who were protecting these “Russian Citizens”. That is so much like the Communists MO as to be believable. Their true purpose is to bring Georgia back into the Communists fold.

The ruse of dissolving the USSR and ending Communism had two purposes - 1) to abandon the failed economic system of Communism and adopt a successful system, one they call Capitalism, while the leaders maintain their positions of power by claiming all the plums of the economy as their own, and 2) to gain more power in the UN by having each of the old republics admitted to the UN, giving them many votes instead of one.

However, they didn't intend for these newly “free” republics to take their independence seriously. Now they are trying to get them all back into the Communists fold and under Putin's thumb.

Russia has also gained power over Europe by furnish all Europe's natural gas under long term contracts. The pipeline from the Caspian Sea, multi-state owned, runs through Georgia and is a competitor to Gasprom and threat to Russian dominance. All of that is in play here.

[nuconvert]

“The fact that Georgia launched an offensive into South Ossetia is not denied by anyone, not even Georgia itself.”

Oh Really? Well, you’ll have to tell that to Georgia’s Pres. Saakashvili, cuz apparently he has a different take on it than you and others.
Georgia responded defensively after it was attacked.

[piytar]

Yup, that’s my take, too.

[McGruff]

Russian Blog. Nough said.

[BlazingArizona]

If we insist on expanding NATO to Russia's borders, Russia can re-establish its military presence in Cuba and expand it to Venezuela.

Notice how Russia is doing this anyway - and has been ever since it started propping up Cuba as an outpost of revolution.

[LenS]

Are you surprised? Read some old Soviet manuals on war and you’ll find that they had an interesting definition of peace. Generally, they defined it as other people doing what the Soviets told them to do. It’s an attitude that predates the Bolshevicks and continues today.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

... an interesting definition of peace. Generally, they defined it as other people doing what the Soviets told them to do. It's an attitude that predates the Bolshevicks and continues today

The Democrats call it Partisanship.

[Tax Government]

Here's an interesting book extract about Russia and its non-Russian neighbors. The implication appears to be that the process of implosion, begun with the destruction of the Soviet Union, is not over. Boycott Russia.

The Chechen Wars -- Will Russia go the Way of the Soviet Union

[dr_who]

bump