Posted on 08/15/2008 2:27:26 PM PDT by XR7
I hope everyone has heard about the war in South Ossetia and Georgia. You probably are convinced by what the media reports, in particular that “Russia is the aggressor against innocent Georgia”. Our government is backing Georgia and also telling us about Russia’s aggression. But that is a lie. I have always made fun of the conspiracy theory people, but I find myself in the same position–criticizing the government and sounding crazy. But I cannot keep quite when such an injustice is going on; so please do not take my words as that of a crazy man who hates America–on the contrary, this country has given me many blessings for which I am endlessly thankful; I care about it and am deeply saddened by how effectively the media has fed us propaganda over the last week. Please read the following short account of my story:
I grew up in Abkhazia, a country only hours away from South Ossetia (see map below). I lived through the 1992 war between Georgia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia. I have been bombed and shot at by the Georgians. Right now we are in contact with our family in Abkhazia and we receive information first hand with no media bias. I know what I am talking about.
Georgia attacked South Ossetia, destroying its capital Tskhinvali, killing innocent people; Russia came in to protect the Ossetians. If Russia did not step in, Georgians would further the attack and take over Abkhazia; my family would be slaughtered by now. Yet, I am absolutely shocked, absolutely astonished how the media lies to us, telling us “Russia was the aggressor”. I have never, NEVER thought this can be possible in the US–I always believed that the US government has good intentions. Not anymore. All I heard on the news is that “Georgia is an ally that Russia attacked” and similar such lies. George Bush is supporting Saakashvili, the man who lies left and right, and attacks innocent civilians. I cannot believe my ears.
I am not protecting the Russian government, because I do understand that it is likely corrupt also. Of course they are not innocent. However, that does not mean that WE Americans can support injustice just because it is going against the rival power Russia. The bottom line is that Georgia attacked first; they attacked civilians. Russians fought on behalf of the Ossetians. Yet, the media has zero coverage on the devastation of the South Ossetian people. This is just ridiculous.
Why am I writing this? I do not know what else I can do. I must speak the truth. I am paying taxes to the US government, which supports Georgia, which in turn bombs my homeland; in other words, I am funding the destruction of my own people. How can I keep quiet?
I know you don’t go to a photographer’s blog to read about politics, so I will stop now. Please do watch the videos below. Please be informed. Please feel free to ask me any questions (photodu@gmail.com). Please speak the truth.
First, please read my response (comment 101). And second, I did not exclude the fact that I am Russian intentionally; how does it change the situation anyways. If you are brave to dismiss me, why don’t you contact me personally instead of just writing on this blog, huh?
You guys sit hear acting like you know what you are talking about when none of you even know what war is like, aside from movies and video games.
The fact that I am Russian doesn’t change things, because I also live hear, in the States. Anyways, read my long response on c.101
Dude, no disrespect, but you don’t know what you are talking about. “Georgia has made great strides in the last few years to become more western and less corrupt” is a very ignorant statement. How do you know that, how do you know they are not corrupt? You think that because Saakashvili wants you to think that, because then you would support them. To me, it’s so funny to hear George Bush emphasize that we “Support DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED government of Georgia”. It seems like he can’t say “Georgia” without “Democracy”. That just shows me how much they want you to like Georgia.
Ossetia and Abkhazia want to be part of Russia because 1. They have a strong economy 2. They will protect them from Georgia. As simple as that. I’m sure they’d rather be independent than part of someone else, but I think they are fed up with the tension and violence and Saakashvili’s threats.
Thanks for the conversation. I apologize if I sound harsh. Again, I welcome all questions; it is the least I can do. I feel freakin helpless over here; all I am is a civilian with a keyboard.
peace
Georgia attacked because they want Ossetia to be a part of it. Saakashvili promised to get it back when he got elected.
Yeah, you didn’t exclude it intentionally. Like I believe that. I know bullcrap when I see it. And you are up to your gills in it.
Someday, I'll visit the beautiful Miamia! (Incidentally, is Mumia from Miamia?)
"President: Eduard Kokoity One-time wrestling champion Eduard Kokoity, or Kokoyev, won unrecognised presidential elections in South Ossetia in December 2001 and again in November 2006. A businessman and former communist, he holds Russian citizenship."
South Ossetia was a dump and is now a haven for illegal crime bosses from Russia to launder money. Russia handed out passports but never bothered to do anything about the infrstructure or lack of employment opportunities.
Why did the Russian operatives in South Ossetia launch provocative attacks on Georgian forces and villages?
Yup..How did you do it? Great!.
Duh, the World Bank said so, and hey I was there a few years ago. An awesome place to visit. I felt more safe there than I do in Seattle.
Been to Russia about 4 times and it does not hold a candle to Georgia for beauty, incredible people, and just pure culture. And the Georgians don't charge Americans an arm and a leg to visit that beauty and culture either.
Finally, as every good Russian knows, the food, wine, and mineral water in Georgia is beyond compare. I still dream at night of Nabeghlavi....wish they would sell it here.
Well, OK I omitted that I was Russian; I did not do it intentionally. Of course, now, having made that mistake, I cannot convince you otherwise. The fact is that I was not writing a political article, I was writing on my personal blog, expressing my frustration. The FreeRepublic administrators took the post without my permission and posted it here. Now I have to answer to you guys when I wasn’t even planning on having it on here. Also, I would assume my name sounds Russian enough.
Anyways, yes I am Russian, and I am sorry I did not mention it. It was NOT intentional.
If you guys think you are brave accusing me of lies here, why don’t you give me a call ya?
No, an individual poster did that. I read your blog post. Inneundo and slime. And if you think the USA is so evil for supporting a democratic Georgia (as opposed to an increasing autocratic and fascistic Putin), then do us all a favor and move back to friggin' Russia. Because if you criticized Putin in Russia the way you critize the US backing Georgia in this country, you'd be in jail. You're a RANK HYPOCRITE for spewing Russian propaganda on American soil.
Because none of us care what you think.
You should give serious thought to moving back to Abkhazia now that the Russians are in charge and the quarter million Gerogians who lived there in the early nineties have been chased away.
BTW some of the history you describe of S. Ossetia is wrong. Most of what is now S. Ossetia was ethnic Georgian going back before the time of Stalin. It was Russia who brought in North Ossetians and who chased out ethnic Georgians from what is now present day S. Ossetia.
...and last week they chased the remaining thousands of ethnic Georgians out of S. Ossetia.
So, we are misinformed. Whoopsie do! You (and I) are misinformed reading in the paper about a traffic accident on Highway 101. Ever seen Rashomon?
You too possess information from one side of the conflict. I'd like to hear from a DanielUsenko on the other side, who also has a family there and has seen the suffering.
As for the Western media, why is it that the Eastern media, in the countries formerly occupied by your countrymen, agrees with the misinforming American MSM. Do they take orders from Dan Rather? Why is it that those leaders travel to Tbilisi and not to Moscow to show their support?
I think you're skating on thin ice here. Claiming victimhood is an old trick to start a war. We have seen it in 1938 & 9, we are seeing it now, we see it in our perfect court system, and I see it in the corporate world where discrimination and sexual harrassment victimhoods are so often trump cards of scumbags, no different from the scumbag sitting in the Kremlin.
just a question for you: why do the russian people hate freedom and civilization?
That is correct. The ethnic Georgians who were booted from Abkhazia were still trying to get settled when I was in Georgia a few years ago. Some with their sheep. I have pics of them.
Just what would that accomplish?
You are a liar.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hQqiroVpFvl7kXE_G2mefbfjucBg
“The economic damage is regrettable for a country that has worked hard in recent years to improve the economic well-being of its population,” the 185-nation International Monetary Fund said late on Monday
SNIP
Georgia has “strong economic fundamentals, including ample foreign reserves, prudent monetary and fiscal policy and wide ranging financial sector reforms that has lead to a strengthened banking sector that today is both liquid and solvent,” the Bank's Tbilisi office said in a statement.
SNIP
Since the Rose Revolution of 2003 swept the pro-Western President Mikheil Saakashvili to power, the country has become one of the most dynamic countries in the former Soviet Union.
Numerous reforms have begun to bear fruit, and have been hailed by international financial institutions like the World Bank.
Georgia's growth stood at more than 10 percent in 2006 and 2007 and is expected to be around eight percent this year.
You must be one of those Russians who believes that you are destined to rule the world. This time, your Slavic brothers are going to fight back and not let you rape them again. Russia is a disease.
We need a picture from the movie, “the Russians are coming”
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