Posted on 08/13/2008 5:49:48 PM PDT by kristinn
TBILISI, Georgia -- Russia's invasion of Georgia strikes at the heart of Western values and our 21st-century system of security. If the international community allows Russia to crush our democratic, independent state, it will be giving carte blanche to authoritarian governments everywhere. Russia intends to destroy not just a country but an idea.
For too long, we all underestimated the ruthlessness of the regime in Moscow. Yesterday brought further evidence of its duplicity: Within 24 hours of agreeing to a cease-fire, Russian forces were rampaging through Gori; blocking the port of Poti; sinking Georgian vessels; and -- worst of all -- brutally purging Georgian villages in South Ossetia, raping women and executing men.
The Russian leadership cannot be trusted -- and this hard reality should guide the West's response. Only Western peacekeepers can end the war.
Russia also seeks to destroy our economy and is bombing factories, ports and other vital sites. Accordingly, we need to establish a modern version of the Berlin Airlift; the United Nations, the United States, Canada and others are moving in this direction, for which we are deeply grateful.
SNIP
This war threatens not only Georgia but security and liberty around the world. If the international community fails to take a resolute stand, it will have sounded the death knell for the spread of freedom and democracy everywhere.
SNIP
I have staked my country's fate on the West's rhetoric about democracy and liberty. As Georgians come under attack, we must ask: If the West is not with us, who is it with? If the line is not drawn now, when will it be drawn? We cannot allow Georgia to become the first victim of a new world order as imagined by Moscow.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Pre WWII being the key phrase. Churchill lead his nation this guy wants to be on the View.
Better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you a fool than open it and confirm their suspicions.~Anon.
Directed at Patrick1, not the President of the Republic of Georgia.
Why doesn’t he ask President Obe for help and publish the response?
Patty, Patty, Patty....this is a tried and tested manner of communication during this type situation. Don’t knock Misha. He is brilliant and knows what his country needs....you do not posess that knowledge.
Maybe you should become a TV “journalist”, having gotten just the right skills and intelligence for the job.
The Russians are just doing to the Georgians what we did to the Serbs 10 years ago for the Kosovars. The Kosovars just didn’t want to be part of Serbia and we helped. Thank Albright for setting the example.
I take it Ukraine never sent a naval blockade.
You must think this guy can win the war by op-ed. If that is true then maybe we should elect George Will President. This is 2008 not 1938 and there is no need to tell us what is going on the way Churchill did (again prior to WWII) we know what is happening.
I would think we would be more apt to support a President who is leading the fight instead of printing an op-ed in a paper that by evening is in the birdcage.
The Ukraine said they will block the Russians from using their territorial waters to wage a campaign on Georgia and have blocked Russian ships from using a port in the Crimea. Without sending troops this is about as much as they could do.
Poti is the name of the major oil port in Georgia and the Russians almost immediately blocked it with many ships.
Are you russian?
LLS
And, we have had tons of military in Georgia for many years. We are way past committed.
Ukraine says they have troops at the ready.
net
Damn... that was good!
LLS
Tbilisi is functioning as normal today.
It is his job to educate Americans, do poliitics, and fight Russian propoganda, not stand on a field somewhere and shoot a gun.
Sad that you continue to defend your statement. The fact is he is leading the fight where he can. He is a President,a politician, his job is diplomacy, policy and leadership. Not a soldier or General, he can’t strap on BDU’s and go gunnin’ down Russkies. He is speaking to allies and friends in a closed and open manner, he has spoken to his people and has appealed for help. THe man isn’t being some silly aloof brain dead idiot that is only writing op-eds like you want to pretend he is doing. You for some reason find it hard to comprehend that in this media driven age that a man who’s country is at war would dare take the time out of his schedule to appeal for moral and political help from people he considers to be his ally. You my friend are blind if you think what he is doing somehow morally wrong or politically inept and you sound like the wacky truthers who cried about how Bush sat and read a childrens book when the US came under attack. I feel shame for you.
Wake up and smell the coffee.
The Georgian army is tiny compared to the Soviets. Would you lead 3 cub scouts against the Sioux at Little Big Horn?
His only chance is to get the West to help his country.
And penning a piece for the DBM is going to help Georgia more than him riding a BMP into oblivion.
Drop it.
My money says they aren’t the only former satellite willing to send troops.
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