[Jeff Head]

I am calm. The Russians are in the process of invading and conquering, by force of arms, one of our staunch allies. And an ally that sits strategically astraddle a critical oil line for the Europeans and ourselves.

The allies of Russia that have left them did so by their own choice after the breakup. Georgia certainly is not wanting to be mauled by the Bear.

We need to act in whatever prudent and measured way we can to blunt this land and oil grab. There will certainly be a long term repsone to this...but we do have a window of opportunity before Tiblisi actually falles, to make some progress in the short term.

But that is just my opinion...others clearly feel differently.

Clearly though, how we react to this test, will have consequences in how we are perceived and who trusts us and how much they trust us for a long time to come.

[eastforker]

this test, will have consequences in how we are perceived ............................................................................................You got that right Jeff, something in the way of a response has to be made, a message has to be sent.

[DoughtyOne]

Strategically, I think you’re addressing the hard truth of this. Poopin is rolling out a new policy, and he either gets his hand cut off here, or he extends this treatment to other states as well. Seems to me this is when you make your stand.

We either make this ass-hat pay, or he’s going to do this again and again.