We need to learn to not buy into the myth being hyped by media mavens and those who perceive a political gain from choosing a "side" early on. The claim of Russia that 2,000 Ossentians killed has been debunked, so don't even bother pretending there is moral equivalence between Russia and Georgia. And I hate to bother you with this concept, but we better damn well be taking sides here. Unless you LIKE what Putin has done to free speech and basic rights in Russia.
The thing is - there are better ways to encourage the western-friendly allies of the former USSR. It's better to do it through trade and other perks, than through this kind of internecine fighting. Let's see if diplomatic pressure causes Russia to pull back its troops. This
Stratfor article was an eye opener.