LYNCHBURG, Virginia - Democrat Barack Obama scolded Russia again on Wednesday for invading another country’s sovereign territory while adding a new twist: the United States, he said, should set a better example on that front, too.
The Illinois senator’s opposition to the Iraq war, which his comment clearly referenced, is well known. But this was the first time the Democratic presidential candidate has made a comparison between the U.S. invasion of Iraq and Russia’s recent military activity in Georgia.
“We’ve got to send a clear message to Russia and unify our allies,” Obama told a crowd of supporters in Virginia. “They can’t charge into other countries. Of course it helps if we are leading by example on that point.”
Foreign policy has become a dividing line in the race for the White House.
Obama favors a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq over 16 months, while John McCain, his Republican rival for president, opposes a timeline and says U.S. forces must stay to finish and win the war.
McCain, an Arizona senator, sought to highlight his foreign policy credentials during the Russia-Georgia crisis last week, giving a series of harsh statements directed at Moscow soon after the conflict began.
Obama, who was on vacation in Hawaii, followed suit with statements that became sharper over time.
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By the way, if you want to see the sources of information I’d start with Reuters, then try other international news agencies.
And try picking ones that put the correct pictures with the story - unlike CNN that posted pictures of ruined Tskhinvali and claimed it was Gori!
If you don’t agree with what they say on Russia today then turn the sound down and just look at the pictures, someone was responsable for all that damage, actually someone in the US ultimately.
- Posted by GarethTo A. Doerfler:
If there was genocide occuring by the Georgians I am sure we in America would have heard about it from legitimate - reliable sources. If the Russians who happen to be execellent in spreading propaganda and outright lies believe that geonocide by the Georgians is taking place they should bring it up to the UN so they can invstigate their rediculous in my opinion allegations. Last time I checked around - Russia had not obtain a resolution confirming this at the UN… Please stop reading Russian propaganda blogs!!!!
- Posted by NatashaA. Doerfler wrote”
“The people of Assetia want to be a part of Russia. How is it that we in the US hear nothing of the genocide committed by the Georgians against the people of Assetia? There are even stories of Georgians placing bombs in hospitals where the injured were taken following the Georgian invasion of Assetia.”
- Posted by A. Doerfler
To A. Doerfler:
Do you mind telling us the sources of your information? We in America listen to respectable and reliable news media (including foreign media sources). Some of us also have relatives, friends, in the region. We also heard what Amnesty International had to say about the conflict as well as Human Rights Watch, etc. Obviously your sources must be pure Russian propaganda.
- Posted by NatashaMoral equivalency. Everyone here who believes these comments were intelligent need to examine their own sense of morality, because you’re giving moral equivalency to Saddam and the Georgian president. That’s intelligent? That’s reasonable? That’s sane? My God, I am almost afraid for the future. No one here seems to have learned from history, specifically the period leading up to WWII. Shoot, people don’t learn from Obama’s clone, Jimmy Carter, under which the nation’s morale was at its lowest in decades.
If this is progressiveness, I want no part of it.
- Posted by KeithThere is no comparison to Russia’s invasion of Georgia and our occupation of Iraq. Putin is trying to overthrow a democratic government - the US expelled an oppressive dictator. When it comes to foreign policy Obama is an idiot.
- Posted by TroyThe people of Assetia want to be a part of Russia. How is it that we in the US hear nothing of the genocide committed by the Georgians against the people of Assetia? There are even stories of Georgians placing bombs in hospitals where the injured were taken following the Georgian invasion of Assetia.
- Posted by A. DoerflerMcCain stood up to Russian expansionism, while Obambi did just what the Russian’s expected. He hid behind empty words and rhetoric. McCain is 1st string, in real world politics.
- Posted by gene“Andrew” wrote:
“What is going on here? Did Rove tell Saakashvili to start this conflict under the pretense that Georgia would have US military support? Is this a ploy to shift the presidential debate back to the cold war(instead of Iraq and the economy)? Or am I just delusional here?”
Posted by “Andrew”
Since you asked, I think you are….Even if your outrageous “conspiracy” theory - after all liberals are notorious for coming up with conspiracy theories - had any hint of validity to it, the Russians had absolutely no right to invade Georgia using such disproportionate force. Last time I checked around, I did not see or hear Russia bringing their concerns to the UN security cancel. But of course the Russians are always the ones criticizing America for acting unilaterally.
At least, America had dozens of resolutions at the UN that Saddam violated before the Iraq war. How many resolutions did Russia obtain against Georgia prior to “charging” with massive forces against a democratic country - member of the UN?
The Russians were planning this and were planning it a long time ago. Even Hillary Clinton addressed her concerns about Russian aggression against Georgis in a statement that she made on 4/18/08 (right after the NATO summit in Bucharest). So, please stop the “Obama” rhetoric. Both Obama and his left-wing supporters not only are cluless when it comes to the geo-political issues of Eastern Europe but they also prove to be delusional with their rediculous “conspiracy” theories.
Please post your conspiracy theories here next time…who knows? Someone may take you seriously…..
http://pranks.com/category/all-about-pra nks/
- Posted by NatashaSouth Korea: When sacrifice for freedom wins over the “Blame America First” apologists.
Vietnam: When “Blame America First” wins out.
- Posted by DinTankTo DeeDee:
Did you just say that Mr. McCain is “a quick-tempered, foul-mouthed idiot…”? Idiot he is not! As to the “quick-tempered, “foul-mouthed” I think that you are confusing Mr. McCain with Mr. Biden!!!!!
As far as judgement is concerned - yes, many of us trust Mr. McCain more than Mr. Obama who is willing to sit down and talk to the leaders of terrorist states! Even his VP choice - Mr. Biden had repeatedely criticized Obama on this issue. Also, wasn’t Mr. Biden who in August ‘07 said about Obama, “he is clean… smart… but certainly not qualified to be President”?! And Mr. Biden was absolutely correct.
Obama showed us that his judgement is flawed when it took him some 25 years to figure out his pastor’s “anti-American” sentiments - his pastor’s cruel remarks/bashing of America.
Yes DeeDee, we love our country - our America - and that is why we will not entrust her in the hands of Obama who constantly changes his positions according to where the wind is blowing.
Shame on Obama for equating - morally - America with Russia.
We are not going to elect Obama so we can have our country be “bullied” by terrorists and communists! Mr. McCain said it best, “[in the eyes of Putin] I saw a “K” and a “G”, and a “B” !!!!
- Posted by NatashaObama would make a good president — in Europe, definitly NOT in the United States of America!
- Posted by ToToOh my GOD, these comments are hilarious!! Yes…YES you’re all right!! The war in Iraq was a valiant, heroic effort by the U.S. government to rid the world of a tyrant! Nevermind the fact that 60+% of Americans and 90% of the ENTIRE PLANET think it was wrong, immoral and a craven power-grab for Iraq’s oil. Never mind the fact that even McCain has reached the same conclusion, that there should be a withdrawal sooner rather than later, that Obama had months ago! Ignore that the Iraqis are marching in the streets and that their government is calling Bush by secure phone damn near daily to get his troops out of their country!! Never mind the fact that the U.S. military is supporting Obama over McCain by 6-1 in donations!! You’re all RIGHT! Dear God, you’re all so right that McCain is the best choice for this country, even if his FELLOW REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE as well as military groups around the country want him tarred and feathered for being a quick-tempered, foul-mouthed idiot who graduated at the bottom of his class at Annapolis and went on to screw up EVERY SINGLE VENTURE that he put his mind to!! Why would anyone want an educated, traveled, insightful CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYER when we can have yet another vapid, close-minded child of privilege in the White House?? I’m so proud to call all of you my countrymen, I just can’t say it enough! After voting for McCain in November, we can sit and watch our country die a hideous, flaming death at the hands of its morally bankrupt, loser leaders together!! Viva estupidez!!
- Posted by DeeDeeOBAMA bin BIDEN ‘08
- Posted by JohnUnbelievable, if he is elected our military and defense will undoubtedly be weakened. The guy is delusional in what this country needs. Judgement lacking indeed.
- Posted by jenniferApplecore- You mean to tell us that Obama is strong in “National Defense”? On what criteria you base your observation - his statement equating American foreign policy to that of Russia???!!!
Also, what exactly do you mean by your comment, “It is about time that American Foreign policy is equal to that of our neighbors”? Last time I checked around Canada was with the US in all major conflicts. And, I do believe that Canada strongly condemned the Russian invasion of Georgia without making references to even remotely compare the Russian aggression to our foreign policy.
Obama does not have ANY experience in National Defense/Foreign Policy - this is a well-known fact.
- Posted by NatashaMr. Obama obviously has something against our great country - the country which actually gave him the opportunity to be where he is today.
Mr. Obama should take a look at this video in which the people of the Baltic countries are actually using the name “The United States of Baltics” in a video titled “NATO against Russia - NATO always wins”. Yes indeed, the people of Eastern Rurope know better than Obama Barrack what America represents in their hearts and minds… what America represents in the worls we live today.
Here you have it Obama……
Video: NATO against Russia. NATO ALWAYS wins!!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU8bbgzfJ u8
- Posted by NatashaAmerica, America, Embrace the change. It has been a long time coming, soon very soon we will be a nation of peace and prosperity again. It is about time that American Foreign policy is equal to that of our neighbors. For so long we have been the bully on the Playground and now we will have a President that is strong on National Defense and treats everyone in the world according to God’s will. The bible says “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” Obama follows that meme and this nation will be much better off. Nancy Pelosi is right Obama is a gift from God to all of us. Embrace the change, Embrace the change.
- Posted by ApplecoreWow … Obama gives Russian Communist aggression the same moral equivelancy as American foreign policy. I guess Saddam Hussein needed to Murder 50 thousands American citizens before we should have done something about him huh? Only then its too late and after 911 why should we risk it? Ask yourself this simple question. When Obama becomes the 44th President of the U.S. and he makes all this Change to George Bush’s “Failed Policies” What possible can he say to the American people after the next 911 type attack? When you context that make sure you imagine its your family and friends that are murdered.
- Posted by Tom[...] Once the teleprompter goes off he becomes a blathering idiot. The remark above? No teleprompter. The remark below….no teleprompter: Democrat Barack Obama scolded Russia again on Wednesday for invading [...]
- Posted by Flopping Aces ยป Blog Archive » Obama - Communist China Infrastructure Is Vastly Superior To AmericaRussia invades Georgia and undermines a democratically elected, democracy supporting regime.
The USA invades Iraq and removes a brutal dictator who suppressed democracy and murdered and tortured his own people.
Russia invades neighbor who poses no threat to their country.
USA invades nation believed at the time to possess weapons of mass destruction and believed to be willing to use those weapons directly or indirectly against the US and other western allies.
Obama equates the two??!!
And some of you are seriously considering electing this man president? Mind blowing!!
- Posted by NYR