Posted on 08/11/2008 9:32:35 PM PDT by goldstategop
MOSCOW -- The past week's events in South Ossetia are bound to shock and pain anyone. Already, thousands of people have died, tens of thousands have been turned into refugees, and towns and villages lie in ruins. Nothing can justify this loss of life and destruction. It is a warning to all.
The roots of this tragedy lie in the decision of Georgia's separatist leaders in 1991 to abolish South Ossetian autonomy. This turned out to be a time bomb for Georgia's territorial integrity. Each time successive Georgian leaders tried to impose their will by force -- both in South Ossetia and in Abkhazia, where the issues of autonomy are similar -- it only made the situation worse. New wounds aggravated old injuries.
Nevertheless, it was still possible to find a political solution. For some time, relative calm was maintained in South Ossetia. The peacekeeping force composed of Russians, Georgians and Ossetians fulfilled its mission, and ordinary Ossetians and Georgians, who live close to each other, found at least some common ground.
Through all these years, Russia has continued to recognize Georgia's territorial integrity. Clearly, the only way to solve the South Ossetian problem on that basis is through peaceful means. Indeed, in a civilized world, there is no other way. ad_icon
The Georgian leadership flouted this key principle.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
"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
It helps to read this article with the Darth Vader theme playing in the background.
“It helps to read this article with the Darth Vader theme playing in the background.”
Actually as I was reading the article prior to seeing your post, I had the theme from “JAWS” running through my brain.
"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
Scumbag Gorby rouses from his Frisco Hole.
"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
On Wednesday’s The Situation Room on CNN, during his regular “Cafferty File” segment, Jack Cafferty quoted Mikhail Gorbachev’s recent attack on the Bush Administration in which the former Soviet leader accused the U.S. of “arrogance” and of having “lost credibility” in response to President Bush’s plans to deploy a missile defense system in Europe. Cafferty asked viewers to email him with a response to the question of whether Bush was “reigniting the Cold War with Russia.” Cafferty: “This is just swell, don’t you think? We’ve got trouble with Russia now, which we haven’t had for a number of years. The question is this: Is President Bush reigniting the Cold War with Russia?” (Transcript follows)
Cafferty opened the segment: “Wolf, ‘The U.S.’s plans to build a missile defense shield in Europe are arrogant and threaten to usher in a new Cold War.’ Those are the words of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.” He soon cited the former communist leader’s contention that “70 percent of the Czech people don’t want the missile shield in their country” before further quoting Gorbachev’s charge that the U.S. has “lost credibility in the world.” Cafferty: “Gorbachev also says this: ‘There is the possibility that self-confidence, arrogance will lead to a situation similar to that with the war in Iraq. The United States is driving itself into a corner. They’ve lost credibility in the world,’ unquote.”
When Cafferty returned at the end of the 5:00 hour to read viewer emails, most of which were anti-Bush, he not only found amusement over one viewer’s comparison of a U.S. plan for a system in Europe to fend off Iran to a Russian system in Canada to fend off Mexico, as he chuckled slightly at the suggestion, but he also mildly imitated President Bush as he read one viewer’s rendition of a conversation between Bush and Vladimir Putin.
Below is a transcript of Cafferty’s segment which aired at 5:08 p.m. on the June 6 The Situation Room, followed by a transcript of his reading of email responses from viewers, which aired shortly before 6:00 p.m.:
JACK CAFFERTY, at 5:08 p.m.: Wolf, “The U.S.’s plans to build a missile defense shield in Europe are arrogant and threaten to usher in a new Cold War.” Those are the words of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. He believes that putting these anti-missile sites in Poland and the Czech Republic will make Europe a target again. And he points out that polls show that 70 percent of the Czech people don’t want the missile shield in their country. Gorbachev also says this: “There is the possibility that self-confidence, arrogance will lead to a situation similar to that with the war in Iraq. The United States is driving itself into a corner. They’ve lost credibility in the world,” unquote. Mikhail Gorbachev.
CAFFERTY: Meantime, President Bush insists the Cold War’s over. He told reporters in Germany today that Russia’s not going to attack Europe, that despite President Vladimir Putin’s recent threats to retarget missiles on Europe if the U.S. goes ahead with its anti-missile shield plan, which is apparently meant to protect Europe from Iran. Mr. Bush said Russia’s not an enemy, although he once again criticized Russia’s checkered past on democratic reforms and human rights. For his part, Putin has accused the U.S. of starting a new arms race. This is just swell, don’t you think? We’ve got trouble with Russia now, which we haven’t had for a number of years. The question is this: Is President Bush reigniting the Cold War with Russia?
...
Anybody see Obambi and his 'deer in the headlights' stammering, stuttering speech vainly searching for a thought, about the Russia issue? Man is this guy dumb. It sure instilled a whole lot of confidence that he knew what he was doing — NOT!. Obambi needs to go sit down, he simply isn't ready for prime time.
I hope Gorb means it. I wouldn’t want to see the war escalate and despite the claims going back and forth — new imperialism vs protection of interests — I hope they can amicably work it out to the interests of all parties.
Very skilled in ugly twisting of the situation.
If that's true, that's a point that should not be lost in the debate. Attacking and then claiming victimhood is a pretty common trick around the world.
The scumbag murderer Gorbachev should be executed for his role in the Soviet crimes. Russia can’t find a better advocate than this communist P.O.S.?
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