[Jeff Head]

I expect the Russians will pull back now...but they will destroy, loot, burn, and incapacitate as much of Georgian infrastructure as they can as they withdraw.

I also expect the people of those two provinces will hold referendums and demand independence. Sadly, because of Clinton's sick precedent in Kosovo, and then Bush foolishly (IMHO) recognizing Kosovo, there will be little we can do to keep that from happening.

At least Bush, here late in the game, has seen how Putin has used him and abused his trust, and he (Bush) is now responding appropriately.

What we can do, is arm the Georgians with much more modern weaponry, train them, accept them into NATO, and then establish a couple of bases for either NATO, the US, or one of each, on each side of the country to act as a deterrent to more Russian agression.

I hope we will. The Georgians deserve it.

[rodguy911]

I was throughly amazed at the undisciplined nature of the Russian troops! No wonder they lost against Afghanistan.

[Lilith Incubus]

At least Bush, here late in the game, has seen how Putin has used him and abused his trust, and he (Bush) is now responding appropriately.

I kinda feel sorry for Bush, looking from a European perspective, can I offer my opinion?

Bush Jr's' entire presidential period seems to have been littered with issues left for him, that he was obliged to try and finish off.
The war in Iraq should never have been, it was probably the one facet of middle East rogues that could genuinely have waited.
If it wasn't for Saddam having snubbed Bush Sr so many times, I don't think the US would have been militarily involved in Iraq under Bush Jr.

The stark differences bteween Putin and Bush are so obvious, even the photo above that was posted shows tension.

Putin is a chess master, he's a fearless, manipulative, hard nosed right wing Communist, who's nationalistic goals are fully supported by his attitude, commitment and more importantly, his political colleagues and his people.
He is a true leader of a Nation, whether one likes where he is taking them, or not.

Then you have Bush Jr, a Republican, who as mentioned, has spent years trying to save face for previous presidents, exudes a modicum of right wing policy, but tries to balance it with other left wing idiocy to keep immature voters happy.
He's seen as rather deficient in European circles, from the aforementioned settling of scores, to the way he obviously struggles to speak publicly with a fluent grasp of English pronunciation.
The way that he tries to offer balance against his true beliefs, and how he's trying to keep alive some Nationalistic influences in a Country which is adamant on charging swiftly to the extreme left, fundamentally compromises him.

I think if he'd had a clear slate, he'd have developed much better as a personality, which would have made him a much better President, when looking retrospectively.
After all, as far as issues in a Presidential term go, he's had a hell of a lot to deal with, maybe more, and more serious issues than any other President in history.

I just wish he'd have been more honest and resolute.
When he said he wanted a war on terror, he should have gone to war with real terrorists, and their funders, rather than spending years, colluding with the Marxist idiot Blair from England, dealing with major life and money losses playing out the facade that is the war in Iraq.

I think Bush knows what's needed, it's a similarly strong response to the rogue Countries of the World, but after Iraq, there's no way the increasingly Liberal US will have the stomach for it, unless Russia, N.Korea, Pakistan or Iran light the fire first.