Bush Accuses Russia of Bullying and Intimidation

[Splitz]

U don't know the situation because u don't live in Europe. South Osetia is part of Georgia, who the hell is russia to tell them what they can't do in their own land? Remember Chechen war with russia. These bitches russians massacred everyone no1 said a word. I saw same shit happening in my country 15 years ago, inocent ppl where crushed by tanks but we got our independec back, **** russia hypocrite bitches, they can but their propoganda in their asses.

Thank you for your perspective and I think that is something to consider when comparing this situation with what Bush did. Russia is just overall a bully that thinks that flexing military power to defeat democracy and intimidate it's neighbors is standard fare. This attack on Georgia was an *Excuse* for Russia to exert it's military might. In the end they are sending "us* a message. They will not tolerate us protecting their border states. They know that we can't respond militarily because we are overextended. This is the end of diplomacy between Russia and the U.S. We have every right to protect ourselves against foreign threats. The missile defense is exactly that. A defensive system that will protect our citizens.

 

[gourimoko]

U don't know the situation because u don't live in Europe. South Osetia is part of Georgia, who the hell is russia to tell them what they can't do in their own land? Remember Chechen war with russia. These bitches russians massacred everyone no1 said a word. I saw same shit happening in my country 15 years ago, inocent ppl where crushed by tanks but we got our independec back, **** russia hypocrite bitches, they can but their propoganda in their asses.

First off I'm very sorry if I seemed callous towards the people of Georgia, I feel for them I do. Yet, contrary to what McCain would have us believe, we are not "all Georgians." This is simply a conflict the United States cannot get involved in, either directly or indirectly, it simply is not in our interest. Russia is *not* committing genocide in Georgia. There is no mass humanitarian crisis, and the whole of Georgia is not occupied. I don't think I need to reside in South Ossetia to know that the region has been considered autonomus for over a decade. Those are facts, and not in despute. South Ossetia did not declare independence, nor did they make aggressive moves against the Georgian nation. If South Ossetia is an integral part of Georgia then why did Georgian troops bomb their own people? I would refer you to another persons perspective:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9fBGtXS66VM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9fBGtXS66VM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Again, I remind you that things are not so black and white, and all we actually know is that Georgia initiated an offensive against South Ossetia at least 48 hours before Russian tanks began the invasion. Further, I think its useful to fully conceptualize the close proximity of South Ossetia and the city of Moscow. This is not comparable to an invasion of a nation thousands of miles away.

With that said, the Russian invasion of Georgia beyond the S. Ossetia should be condemned, as should Georgia's initial and unprovoked attack on S. Ossetia.

I would err on the side of caution when dealing with the Russians. We do not fully understand what is driving their new aggressive policies, and I would avoid playing into a geopolitical feint that might cause more harm economically and politically for the United States than good that it would do for the Georgian people.

 

[gourimoko]

Thank you for your perspective and I think that is something to consider when comparing this situation with what Bush did. Russia is just overall a bully that thinks that flexing military power to defeat democracy and intimidate it's neighbors is standard fare. This attack on Georgia was an *Excuse* for Russia to exert it's military might. In the end they are sending "us* a message. They will not tolerate us protecting their border states. They know that we can't respond militarily because we are overextended. This is the end of diplomacy between Russia and the U.S. We have every right to protect ourselves against foreign threats. The missile defense is exactly that. A defensive system that will protect our citizens.

I agree with everything you said. Russia invaded Georgia to send the United States a message, no doubt. We should also develop and deploy a missile defense shield to protect the continental United States.

But...

Our current development of National Missile Defense is somewhat crude in comparison to what Reagan envisioned for his "Star Wars" project. We can't really defend against a full ICBM exchange simply because of the quantity of launched missiles from Russia. We don't have enough interceptors in place, and to put them in place would cause Russia to respond to maintain their strategic nuclear deterrence. Russia has hinted, as of last week, they mayl redeploy short range nuclear tipped cruise missiles on their North Atlantic fleet and medium ranged multistage ballistic missiles on the submarine fleet (which, during the cold war, had a tendency to sit off our coast).

So. I think the best move now is to wait. Prepare, but, wait. I would not respond too aggressively. I think it's in our best interests to use diplomacy with a sticks and carrots approach first before we start a new arms race. Especially with our economy on a downtrend and the Russian economy wallowing in oil revenues.