[dixiechick2000]

"The greatest allies Russia has had in this savage invasion have been Western journalists eager to say something. While Russian-backed Ossetian death squads executed Georgian civilians and looted Georgian cities, the press continued to argue for moral equivalence between tiny Georgia and the Russian Moloch."

[dixiechick2000]

I said “good night”, and forgot that I wanted this posted.

LOL at me! ;o)

I have one more, if it hasn’t been posted yet.

I haven’t posted much, so I hope it did it right.

BTW, you two have been on this issue like white on rice.
I sincerely thank you.

[MarMema]

I love, love Ralph Peters. Thank you!!

[elhombrelibre]

Thanks, DC.

[pepsionice]

One of the interesting lessons from this episode...after watching the video clips of drunken soldiers manning the APCs and tanks...is that this is not a first rate or second rate military. This is a military where commanders are never within 300 feet of their troops because of the drunkenness and the weapons being tossed around. This is a military where a 15,000 man invasion force could have been halted by 3,000 US Marines (with a little air defense help and some artillery). The Russian force operates with the decades old Nazi-concept of “slash and burn”....taking out entire villages and destroying everything in sight. They have no real ethical dilemma or apparent military training...other than shooting a gun or driving a tank. The idea that any Russian general really commands his forces...has been basically disproved. Bank robbery by Russian troops? Casually aiming weapons at reporters?

The national guard of Bolivia has more professionalism than this bunch of ragtag individuals. And the cherry on this cake...look at the clips of guys standing there working on their vehicles by the side of the road. I saw dozens upon dozens of vehicles broke down as I watched these clips by the media. So I’ll rate the mighty Italian military...as a better force to meet on the field of combat...than this group of losers.

[Tramonto]

I wonder if war with Russia is inevitable. If it is, we should just nuke them first. If Putin doesn’t back down that means he will do this to other countries and eventually we will be drawn in anyway.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

I expected the same lame response from France and Germany we always get. No surprises here.

[jazusamo]

Thanks for posting this, another excellent article by Peters. I’ve not known him to be wrong and I don’t think he is on this one either.

[McGruff]

Russia won. Diplomacy failed. No state or alliance will reverse the decision.

Russia won the battle. A war is made of many battles. Look at President Bush's statement.

“A major issue is Russia’s contention that the region of South Ossetia and Abkhazia may not be a part of Georgia’s future,” Bush said. “These regions are a part of Georgia — and the international community has repeatedly made clear that they will remain so.”

Does that sound like he's given in? Condi also got the Russians to commit to a force in these regions of only the size before the conflict began and for Russian forces to withdraw quickly. Either the Russians violate the ceasefire or things pretty much go back to where they were. That's a victory for Russia?

[DB]

I don’t think Putin has won, at least not yet. I think Russia is likely to pay a high price for this. Europe is getting an eye opener. I’d also guess there’s a lot going on behind the scenes that we don’t know about.

[Fichori]

RatsPatootie may have won the battle with Georgia.

But he’s losing the battle for the hearts and minds of the masses.

I see Georgia fighting tooth and nail.

I don’t see the Bears winning the war.

The battle, maybe.

The war, hardly. (I hope anyway.)

[Hugin]

Putin is sending an unmistakable message to all other independent states that once belonged to Moscow's empire: Russia will not tolerate true democracies or Western orientations on its "eternal property."

Well then Tzar Vladimir the Red's "victory" has been Pyrrhic. Look at the events of the last week. First Poland signs a deal with the US to station anti missile systems there. Then Ukraine agrees to let the US use Soviet built radar facilities. Then the presidents of Poland, the Chech Republic, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuatnia and Estonia all got to Georgia to show support.

What's worse for Tsar Vlad, he may have ensured he will be dealing with a tough, determined President McCain in the future, instead of a wimpy community organizer.

[Caipirabob]

Funny how the world is burning and Nine-er Pelosi still on vacation?

"Buy my book!"

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

This entire episode reminds us “Saving the planet” is about the ability and willingness to kick somebody’s butt, not about the silliness of a “carbon footprint.”

[Alia]

"If Moscow insists so indignantly that minorities have a right to secede, why doesn't the same rule apply to Chechnya? Or to Daghestan and other Russian internal regions chafing under Moscow's oppression? Why haven't the media noticed that moral equivalence?"

Because Socialists have Fairness Deficit Disorder.

[Freelance Warrior]

Russian Dark Lord's shadow falls across the shires of freedom once again

Thank you for a good laugh. Now I see that US retired colonel-generals receive good pension, at least they can afford quality weed. I even took the job to translate the article to share it with Russian compatriots.