Posted on 08/18/2008 8:35:20 PM PDT by jazusamo
What is happening in the republic of Georgia is all too reminiscent of what happened back in 1956, when Russian tanks rolled into Hungary— and the West did nothing.
An argument might well be made that, realistically, there was nothing the West could have done— then or now— that would have forced the Russians out.
But there was bitterness, then as now, that the West may have encouraged people to risk their lives, relying on us, when we knew from the outset that we were not about to risk armed conflict with a nuclear superpower over Hungary then or Georgia now.
The West has a long history of doing nothing, utilizing the United Nations, and before that the League of Nations, to create the illusion that they are doing something, when they make speeches and pass resolutions.
Neither speeches nor resolutions are going to make any difference to the Russians, to the Iranians or to any other belligerent nation. We know it, they know it and the world knows it.
Apparently Barack Obama doesn't yet know it, judging by his initial response to news of the Russian invasion of Georgia, which was to call on "both sides" to cease fire and then go to the U.N.
Later he changed his position to correspond to John McCain's more grown-up position that Russians have to pay a price if we expect them to change their behavior.
(Excerpt) Read more at jewishworldreview.com ...
Interesting column but of course the reason for NATO was that the US had in the 25 prior years to its formation had been sucked into two huge European wars. So if we leave defense of Europe to European again will we be yet again sucked into a European war?
I think you may be right. I can see his point but in reality if war broke out we’d right in the middle of it.
Thanks for the ping jaz. I remember the assault on Hungary also. I remember the expressions of frustration at the time. Seemed something could have been done.
Today the relations between Russia, Iran, and China urge the utmost of caution don’t they, but still one might think that putting the Bear in its place would cause the Iranians much grief, and possibly some course change.
There are so many variables, so many options to consider, but for certain we are hamstrung in many ways by our current Leftist majority Congress, and their focus for complete power that they sacrifice our Nations security and economy for their self interests.
Wondering who will be attacked by the Bear next prior to November.
Well said, RQSR. That Leftist majority Congress is scary and the number of people in our country that supports them is really scary to me.
Maybe this Georgia thing will cause some of those supporters to step back and think a little about it, hopefully anyway.
I don’t know if I am right about the future of course, but I am pretty sure that is why NATO exists. Maybe if Mark Steyn is right about the future of Europe, we would leave them to their own devises.
I don’t believe the rats will do anything to deal positively with this situation.
They will somehow attempt to use it to gain power.
They will let this country burn to the ground if they think they could gain some political advantage.
as a member of NATO we would still be sucked into a war. Damned if we do, damned if we don’t.
More forces to Tblisi!
I agree about the ones in office but maybe some of those that support them will start to realize that our freedom is fragile. It would help our country a great deal if the leftists base started to shrink some.
That would be a plus for this country if the left shrank.
However it appears they are like the Alien that once found it quickly scurries around to find another willing soul and soon thereafter pops out of some other chest and runs for President.
btt
If George Soros has as much power in the State Dept. as he seems to, he could have gotten the U.S. to intervene for his property.
Russia is quickly becoming a nation of senior citizens - and the trend is only going to get worse in the future. Time is definitely not on their side; in 20 years will grandma and grandpa (with but one grandchild between them) be manning the front lines of the Red Army?
Ouch. I agree with Sowell. We shouldn't be setting ourselves up as the defender of other country on the planet, especially when we don't have the will to go through with it. What Russia is doing to Georgia sucks, but they've effectively called our bluff.
NATO is our military's welfare handout to Europe, and is probably a large part of the reason they're fat, lazy and dying. Give the former Warsaw Pact countries a generation to forget, and they'll be spoiled too. We'd all be better off if they moved out and started taking care of themselves.
He's absolutely right, and it's gotten to the point now that our enemies know nothing is going to happen to them, or at least, not until so much time has passed that they will have had abundant notice and opportunity to prepare themselves.
As for NATO, I think it could be great: if we really meant to do more than treat it as another occasion for bloviating and empty threats. But I suspect one reason that the NATO countries are slow to move is that they are also probably uncertain of our commitment.
Iran and Russia have already learned that our commitment ranges from meaningless to non-existent, and that we are so undermined by domestic dissent that we are incapable of action in any case.
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Sowell opposed McCain in the primaries, which might not be a show stopper - but Sowell has also said that McCain is too old - on the basis of how old Sowell himself felt when he was McCain's age.Sowell's health leaves something to be desired, evidently . . .
My reaction to the question at the Saddleback Debate about "who is wise?" was to wish that we had a candidate who would answer that question with, "Thomas Sowell."
There’s an assumption made by Sowell and a lot of us that we “need” Russia in the WOT and to help us with Iran.
I’m beginning to wonder how much Russia really is helping- and given how much military hardware they sell to Iran, do we want that kind of help?
Still- our options to affect this situation seem limited, though keeping them out of the G8 might get their attention.
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