Comments on: Lieberman: Obama shows “inexperience” over Georgia

By: Addison

Addison — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:26:46 +0000

You are all incorrect. Approximately 17% of the breakaway population is Russian, the rest are two other groups with the predominance being Geogian. I disagree with both Obama and McCain on their response to this. Georgia did initiate this, and the Russians moved in to protect their “people”. I wish America was so decisive then perhaps we would have far fewer conflicts and countries like Iran who are willing to taunt, challgene and antagonize us. I guarantee now that other nearby countries will think twice before they screw with the Russians again. Now if California hispanics decide to join Mexico in a few years will we happily say well it is their right? I think not. Georgia also has a right to protect their own too which do make up a majority. This is far more complex than the press makes it out to be and only if you have been there like I have and know the people will you truly understand the dynamics. But the real bottom line is we and nato supported Kosovo in their bid to separate from Serbia, even though the ethnic cleansing began with ethnic albanians who were illegal aliens in Kosovo and killed Serbs, we supported their independence so why can’t the Russians do the same. I guarantee that is their position. We screwed up in Kosovo and let the Muslims once again brutalize serbs and when the Serbs responded and kicked their asses, we went in and supported the initial agressors. Here Georgia was the initial agressor, and we are condeming the Soviets for responding. As you can tell I am speaking for both sides here, that is because their is no clear right or wrong, except what we did in Kosovo which was clearly wrong.

By: katharine

katharine — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:13:52 +0000

McCain gets red in the face and reads Wikipedia from the teleprompter, and people declare him ‘READY’ because he is bellicose and rash? I would much rather have commander in chief who is looking at the whole picture and at America’s interests. We have soldiers in Iraq and Afganistan, and McCain wants to threated Russia!!!?? He’s losing his grip.

By: pj

pj — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:34:48 +0000

Its the oil stupid.

The Israeli news source DebkaFile:

“The conflict has been sparked by the race for control over the pipelines carrying oil and gas out of the Caspian region….The Russians may just bear with the pro-US Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili’s ambition to bring his country into NATO. But they draw a heavy line against his plans and those of Western oil companies, including Israeli firms, to route the oil routes from Azerbaijan and the gas lines from Turkmenistan, which transit Georgia, through Turkey instead of hooking them up to Russian pipelines.
Jerusalem owns a strong interest in Caspian oil and gas pipelines reach the Turkish terminal port of Ceyhan, rather than the Russian network. Intense negotiations are afoot between Israel Turkey, Georgia, Turkmenistan and Azarbaijan for pipelines to reach Turkey and thence to Israel’s oil terminal at Ashkelon and on to its Red Sea port of Eilat. From there, supertankers can carry the gas and oil to the Far East through the Indian Ocean.” (Paul Joseph Watson, “US Attacks Russia Through Client State Georgia”)

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:30:50 +0000

I’m Russian living in NY and I find it extremely cynical that this complex human tragedy has become an apparent “lucky break” for Mr McCain in his campain. Obama is not experienced enough because he is not blaming Russia hard enough? Shut up ! Is it some kind of barking competition??? Whoever is more agressive with Russia and more close friend with Saakashvili gets to be the one most experienced in the US foreign policy?? I’ve been reading some Russian media and this what they are saying, now US senators will be competing with each other in blaming Russia …. think about it

By: Anne Arkey

Anne Arkey — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:07:59 +0000

Senator Lieberman has to be an honorary member of the Knesset. I am just waiting for him to advocate the release of Jonathan Pollard. Just think, if Senator Lieberman had been elected as VP. . . Can you imagine?

We essentially do not have a standing army. We are bogged down on two fronts with National Guardsman, whose main job is protect the country domestically. I don’t think Senator Lieberman is fit to lead or even offer guidance — to anyone, including John McCain.

By: A U.S. Marine

A U.S. Marine — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:44:18 +0000

I totally agree with Michael. I’ve just done a 1 year pump in Iraq, and to say the least…was a waste of my life. I promise, nobody in the military right now wants to go to war with Russia. The main people that are always quick to go to war are NOT the ones who have to go. True, I did sign up for this, but not to fight other’s people’s wars. I swore to “Defend the Constitution of the United States and Obey all orders from the President of the United States” Not fight for a country smaller than North Carolina…I mean, lets be for real. This is Russia we’re talking about and sad as it is to say, 2,000 or THEIR civilians dieing isn’t worth me and whoever else going to war with RUSSIA!!!!! They aren’t attacking us, there is no direct threat…why go to war…We went to war with Hitler because he bombed our supply ships…those were direct attacks!!! We went to war with Japan because of Pearl Harbor…that was a direct ATTACK!!! You have to remember history…Why did we go to North Korea???? Why did we go to Vietnam???? Those weren’t our fights…and it was very bloody…and who is always first to go in and last to leave…the United States Marine Corps…So…with that being said, before you make comments about going to war…Think about that Marine having to make that advance before anyone…Think about that guy on the ground that has to fight for his life. This is not a video game, this is not some fantasy world where the good guy always wins. This is a world that is cruel and most of the time, the good guy dies and the scum bag escapes “Scott Free” with his life. There are billions of solutions to this besides war. This is coming from a Marine, we all want to get some, but we all would rather fight the “Good Fight”.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:32:46 +0000

Good post Kelli but would you wanna go over to fight for Georgia freedom and to prevent a hypothetical moment of history repeating itself? Maybe send your son or nephew or brother or husband? We’ve learned fighting for “Iraqi Freedom” was stupid and we’d learn fighting for “Georgian Freedom” would be even more stupid because it’d be such a stronger foe.

By: Kelli Anderson

Kelli Anderson — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:30:43 +0000

I can’t believe what I’m reading. Is there no memory of WWII? How long did Europe and the US turn an appeasing eye away from Germany because they were afraid of the conflict? They opted to believe to Hitler’s words (”really, I’m going to stop after Poland”) rather than his actions. One by one countries fell while the world stood by and hoped he’d eventually stop. Yes, we’re tired of world conflict. Russia knows this and with bravado is marching on into Georgia despite agreeing to a cease-fire and Georgia’s repeated pleas for help. So at what point does the world take action? 2000 dead in Georgia so far? Destroying pipe lines? Bombing civilians? Would we even care if they took Georgia? Not from what I’m reading here. I understand that nuclear capability is frightening but Georgia aside, to what lengths could Russia hypothetically go before it would justify the world’s reaction? From what I’m reading here, virtually nothing.

By: Crystal

Crystal — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:03:53 +0000

Lieberman is a joke, John McCain is a joke, the Republicans are a joke. I’ve had just about enough of them all–and there is nothing they can say or do for me to change my mind…watch out for my foot.

By: Rebel Vonrasta

Rebel Vonrasta — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:59:22 +0000

Here is what the main stream media is not reporting.

Russia planned this invasion for more than three weeks and did invade on flimsy reasons. Protecting Russian citizens when in fact Russian sponsored separatist gorillas to attack across the board into Georgian villages to which Georgia (classic trick) responded giving the Kremlin the reason to invade. Noting that they did this while the world was preoccupied watching the opening of the Olympics it was however a masterful attack. Heavy handed 10,000 troops, tanks, armored personal carriers, artillery and air cover. Meanwhile Georgia has all of 7 aircraft.

It’s easy to be an arm chair General on this one after the fact. But take a look at the Russian troops and then go look at any troops serving in IRAQ not the same level of professional troops to say the least. The Russian air force has lost at least 7 aircraft and not hit any major military targets instead hitting apartment buildings etc.

This is not your grandfathers Russian army.

I have not heard anything substantive out of Obama either. This is a test and every one on our side is failing miserably across the board. We have the best air power in the world use it in a limited fashion and deny Russia that upper hand at the minimum. Even if we do not engage we can harrass etc.

The only signs of hope are that BUSH/US airlifted 2,000 of Georgia’s troops from Iraq back home, go get em boys.

I hope we support them with at least some Abrams A-1 tanks, artillery and hopefully some depleted uranium rounds (look it up) that would roll the Russians right back out in short order. 10,000 vs 2,000 requires the US to provide air cover to deny Russians from wiping out the Georgians completely.

This is just another example why the UN is worthless what did they do, nothing.