Amid promise of peace, Georgians live in terror (Russian Militia Accused of Rape and Looting)

The Guardian ^ | 14 Aug 08 | Luke Harding

[Sal]

I think SolidWood is right that the picture in #17 is not from Georgia and probably should be pulled to keep us honest UNLIKE THE RUSSIANS.

The picture in #2 illustrates your point just fine.

[SolidWood]

I’m sure SkyPilot KNOW this isn’t Georgia, but somewhere in Africa (Zimbabwe). As I understand, he wanted to illustrate that criminals and terrorists use this appearance, not real Soldiers.

[Tailgunner Joe]

Putin worships his father the devil. Putin said Russia was Islam's best friend in the world and now he's trying to prove it by unleashing a Chechen terrorist jihad against the Christian people of Georgia.

DEATH TO PUTIN!

[SkyPilot]

Yes - that is not from Georgia. I wanted to show paramilitary thugs wearing balaclavas. They are all over the world - from Hamas to Chechnya.

The Geneva Convention and the Law of Armed Conflict that nations recognize state that soldiers must wear a common and recognized uniform to distinguish them as soldiers fighting for their nation.

If they are not wearing said uniform, they can be treated as spies.

This is the same problem we have with Islamic terrorists held at Gitmo, who are not even entitled to the privileges of being a prisoner of war through the Geneva Convention, but through their ACLU lawyers and our stupid SCOTUS can now claim the same rights as American citizens.

[Sal]

I totally agree with you, but what I don't understand is how the Russian people who KNOW what happened in Beslan can go along with exactly what you said: unleashing a Chechen terrorist jihad against the Christian people of Georgia.

[Sal]

I get it now, SkyPilot, and I'm completely comfortable with it now that it's labeled specifically as another illustration of thugs vs. real soldiers as opposed to another picture of thugs in Georgia.

I was afraid people might think we would misrepresent photos the way the enemy does.

I have to tell you that the Zimbabwe picture pierced my heart. That man looks like someone near and dear to me and the expression on his face just tore me apart. I know it's not as severe as piles of bodies or parts, but it speaks of having seen such horrors and the knowledge that more is about to happen.

It's a very powerful picture IMO and it sure does contrast between the civilized victim and the filthy thugs accosting him.

[SolidWood]

Especially the insane thug on the left is pointing an RPG launcher on his head! A ROCKET LAUNCHER at the head!? Does this genius realize that the whole bunch of ‘em would be blown to bits?

[Sal]

Since they almost certainly killed that man (probably a competent farmer who produced the food they ate), I hope the genius did take the shot and blow the thugs home to hell and give the good guy a quicker more merciful death than the one they planned for him.