Bush: Russians looking to depose Georgian government; Update: Video added
posted at 5:49 pm on August 11, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
President George Bush finally let Russia have it with both barrels this afternoon, at least in diplomatic terms. In a terse and angry statement after his return from the Beijing Olympics, Bush accused Moscow of reneging on its commitment to proportionate response and said that “intelligence” indicated that Vladimir Putin might depose the freely-elected government in Tbilisi. He also warned Russia that it risks relationships with the US and Europe and its standing in the world:
In a Rose Garden statement Monday, Bush said there appeared to be an attempt by Russia to unseat Georgia’s pro-Western president, Mikhail Saakashvili.
He demanded an immediate cease-fire, the withdrawal of Russian troops from the conflict zone and a return to the status quo as of Aug. 6.
Bush appears to have become angered at Russian double-dealing. His statement suggests that Putin told him something very different than what has become obvious over the last 24 hours: the Russians want to take Georgia by force. This statement offers the strongest indication yet that the US may start taking a more active role in assisting Georgia in resisting the Russian invasion. It was the kind of firm, unmistakable signal that we should have sent in the conflict’s opening hours.
I’ll look for the video and post it ASAP.
Update: Still looking for video, but the West sent a very strong signal to Putin today. The G-8 met on a conference call — or should I say the G-7?
Rice and the foreign ministers of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan spoke in a conference call, during which they noted that Georgia had agreed to a cease-fire and wanted to see Russia sign on immediately, he said, adding that the call was one of more than 90 that Rice has made on the matter since Friday. …
The Group of Seven, or G7, is often expanded into what is known as the G8, a grouping that includes Russia, but Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was notably not included in the call.
McCain has long called for the G-8 to expel Russia. This snub indicates that the members may decide to trim their membership, and with it some economic benefits for Moscow.
Update II: MS-NBC has the first embeddable video of the speech:
Blowback
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FIM-92 Stinger
pseudonominus on August 11, 2008 at 5:52 PM
This may be Bush’s defining moment, his legacy. Is he Churchill or Chamberlain. Wait and see.
MB4 on August 11, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Russia is waiting for Jimmy Carter, uhhh The should be Barry Obama.
tarpon on August 11, 2008 at 5:56 PM
Ex-KGB Vladimir PutinPooty Poot lies?He does that you know.
MB4 on August 11, 2008 at 5:56 PM
This could be our “sitzkreig” 1939 all over again…
coldwarrior on August 11, 2008 at 5:56 PM
Russia Warns Baltics, Poland To Pay For Georgia Stance-Report
RIGA, Latvia (AFP)–Russia’s ambassador to Latvia Monday warned the Baltic states and Poland that they would pay for their criticism of the Kremlin over the conflict in Georgia, the Baltic news agency BNS reported.
“One must not hurry on such serious issues, as serious mistakes can be made that have to be paid for a long time afterwards,” Alexander Veshnyakov was quoted as saying by BNS.
Contacted by AFP, a spokesman for the Russian embassy in Riga confirmed the ambassador’s comments but declined to elaborate.
pseudonominus on August 11, 2008 at 5:56 PM
Is this going to be Cold War II?
We need to help our allies ASAP!
jencab on August 11, 2008 at 5:59 PM
They do not appear to be waiting. It would seem like Pooty Poot thinks that he has got a live one right now.
MB4 on August 11, 2008 at 5:59 PM
pseudonominus on August 11, 2008 at 5:56 PM –
Russian threats, in context. That’s all the elaboration necessary. A coup in Moscow right about now would be a good thing. Looking at Novosti, and other Russian news sources…nothing at all is being said about Georgia except that Russia is assisting for humanitarian reasons. I hope the guys at RFE/RL in Prague are blanketing Russia.
coldwarrior on August 11, 2008 at 6:01 PM
W. is already not Chamberlain on the merit of this statement alone, and then there is Iraq and Afghanistan to consider.
Putin is taking a gamble, Bush is an outgoing president with little to lose by one more military action. Here is a lesson learned for all our liberal friends that think the Russians are now just like us. They are still die hard commies with with big plans and should never be trusted. China is even worse.
Maxx on August 11, 2008 at 6:01 PM
At least we can now dispense with this “the Russians are our friends now” crap. They are an enemy.
ThePrez on August 11, 2008 at 6:03 PM
The administration has been asleep at the switch on this – W at the Olympics and Condi on vacation. Can you say “1938 and Neville Chamberlain”?
Ivan the Terrible on August 11, 2008 at 6:03 PM
Bush was very strong and tough. He pushed a Russian hot button by deliberately calling the Russian actions “brutal”.This is the strongest US Government statement against Russia in 25 years.
The Russian statements to the Baltic States have raised the stakes yet again. This is a well-planned offensive against the entire West.
I have noticed that Bush does not telegraph his actions. The situation is very serious.
NaCly dog on August 11, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Statements and “50 cents” will get you a cup of coffee.
Yes, I know there is always the
QuagmireCenter of the Universe, Iraq to consider.MB4 on August 11, 2008 at 6:07 PM
What is needed are assets on the ground. Equalizers. Now.
Not speeches, statements and press releases for the next five weeks. Georgia will cease to exist in a matter of days, if not hours.
wccawa on August 11, 2008 at 6:12 PM
MB4 on August 11, 2008 at 6:12 PM
That ain’t gonna play well in Warsaw. Or in Prague (even though they have been pretty quiet thus far) or in Budapest, etc, etc.
France is gonna try to help Russia out with all of these nations, but I would guess they still remember Chirac telling them to all STFU.
funky chicken on August 11, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Let’s all hold hands, burn candles and HOPE! Yeah, HOPE!
SouthernGent on August 11, 2008 at 6:16 PM
Completely OT, but laugh out loud funny:
Jeremiah Wright’s Book, Set to Hit Shelves in October
Right at the end of New York magazine’s cover story on Obama and race, a bit of news I hadn’t yet heard:
In October, Obama’s former pastor, Wright, will publish a new book and hit the road to promote it, an occasion that might well place the topic of Obama’s blackness (along with his patriotism and his candor about what he heard in the pews in all those years at Trinity Church) squarely at the center of the national debate.
Buford Gooch on August 11, 2008 at 6:16 PM
Oh, yeah, it was from Geraghty
Buford Gooch on August 11, 2008 at 6:16 PM
As an aside, this has gone past helping the Georgians with weapons that the local troops can use. Based on the rate of advance posted, all but the southern mountains of Georgia can be take by the Russians in 48 more hours.
The Russians are committing a major proportion of their reliable and serviceable Army by using parts of the Russian strategic reserve, the 76th Airborne and 98th Airborne Divisions.
NaCly dog on August 11, 2008 at 6:17 PM
If anyone here knows Tom Clancy’s phone number, now would be a good time to make the call to ask him what happens next.
ScottMcC on August 11, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Defense Minister of South Ossetia – Vasily Lunev, used to be military commissar in Perm Oblast, and former KGB/GRU.
The head of the South Ossetia KGB, Anatoly Baranov, used to head the Federal Security Service (FSB)[former KGB] in the Russian Republic of Mordovia.
The secretary of South Ossetia’s Security Council, Anatoly Barankevich, is a former deputy military commissar of Stavropol Krai.
And there are other former Soviet/Russian military and security officers at every level of the South Ossetia separatist government.
Where are the South Ossetians? Good question. Being ruled for the past several years by former Soviet and Russian officers with ties to the former-KGB/present FSB and Soviet/Russian military. South Ossetians are being used by Russia as a pretext for carrying out “humanitarian efforts” so South Ossetians can be “free.” Nice. The South Ossetians don’t even run their own separatist government.
coldwarrior on August 11, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Here’s Barry O:
LOL. Er, Barry, remember that whole “permanent member of the Security Council” thingie that Russia has?
funky chicken on August 11, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Based on what little info I can get on the region off the Internet, the South Ossetians have been in bed with the Soviets from the beginning. I’m willing to bet most of them know they’re being used by Russia and like it that way.
Darth Executor on August 11, 2008 at 6:22 PM
funky chicken on August 11, 2008 at 6:20 PM –
That UN thingie involving Jammu and Kashmir has been going nicely. What’s it been? 60 years now? UN in Lebanon? On again off again, for 30+ years?
And Obama wants the UN to act (ignoring Russia has a veto aside)?
coldwarrior on August 11, 2008 at 6:24 PM
In other news, water is wet.
cthulhu on August 11, 2008 at 6:26 PM
kinky!
funky chicken on August 11, 2008 at 6:27 PM
I particulary admire the UN’s work in the “Democratic Republic” of the Congo. /obvious, right?
funky chicken on August 11, 2008 at 6:29 PM
As for Obama and the UN…five Security Council emergency meetings called in five days…and the crickets are growing louder than Turtle Bay traffic…
coldwarrior on August 11, 2008 at 6:29 PM
This explains why Georgia pulled their troops out of SO and called cease fire. Putin had evidently told Bush he agreed.
Yeah, I caught that when I heard it! Shades of things to come?
Texas Gal on August 11, 2008 at 6:35 PM
and don’t forget Rwanda.
Wethal on August 11, 2008 at 6:36 PM
I wonder why none of the networks carried this speech? mmmm I just don’t understand it…
Kaptain Amerika on August 11, 2008 at 6:38 PM
It was about time. I’m glad it was strongly worded. This has to be shut down. I’m also pleasantly surprised that Sen. Obama finally got around to issuing a pretty strong statement as well. He mentioned that the conflict was taking place quite close to Sochi, the site of the 2014 Olympics. A nice way to work in a hint that Russia should play nicely.
It’s unfortunate it took Sen. Obama so long to figure this crisis out. If he actually becomes President, he won’t have the luxury of waiting to see what Sen. McCain would advise.
Jill1066 on August 11, 2008 at 6:41 PM
These are scary times.
Good job nominating Obama, Dems! Please come live in our world.
Rhinoboy on August 11, 2008 at 6:41 PM
It was live on CNN, followed by commentators saying how strong it was.
amerpundit on August 11, 2008 at 6:42 PM
And these are the folks from whom Democrats would ask permission to do anything related to our own interests.
Texas Rainmaker on August 11, 2008 at 6:42 PM
Instead of Sochi in 2014, perhaps now Baghdad would be a better choice?
coldwarrior on August 11, 2008 at 6:43 PM
“An effort may be underway to depose Russia’s duly elected government.”
WTF?
After 8 years, some things are still the same.
Mark1971 on August 11, 2008 at 6:44 PM
read this, put it on your wall and look at it everyday…
Kaptain Amerika on August 11, 2008 at 6:45 PM
when I say network I mean ABC, NBC and CBS the channels everyone in the USA can see… some of us don’t have cable
Kaptain Amerika on August 11, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Been looking and thinking about the situation and there are two moves Bush can make…
One is to run a couple of carriers into the Black Sea. We’ve done it before and it sends a HUGE messege to Russia about the stakes… Russia has Air assets which are in range to couter this, but there Black Sea fleet is a paper tiger.
Only other thing we could do is run Air out of Turkey, but that presupposes Turkey giving the OK to this…
Face it, our options are very limited due to Geography.
Romeo13 on August 11, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Instead of Sochi in 2014, perhaps now Baghdad would be a better choice?
coldwarrior on August 11, 2008 at 6:43 PM
OK…Sochi 2014 Olympics are Winter Games.
But, after this Georgia thing, I would hope hell would freeze over before any Russian city gets to host the Olympics.
coldwarrior on August 11, 2008 at 6:48 PM
This is on Bush now., especially as it was his “Pooty Poot”. Will he turn out to be a Churchill or a Chamberlain? Does he carry a big stick or a big mouth? Words mean little if anything or maybe even less than nothing. It is NOT on Obama, who will not be President for several more months now, if ever. The Georgians had what 2,000 troops helping us in Iraq? 2,000 troops would as a percent of their population almost as great a percent as the number of troops we have there for our population. We owe them. The Georgians are “moms and dads” like us, unlike the followers of Mohammad, may piss be upon him, in Iraq. Is Bush a cowboy with a hat, but no cattle? Churchill or a Chamberlain?
MB4 on August 11, 2008 at 6:48 PM
lol MB4 you are hyped aint ya :)
trailortrash on August 11, 2008 at 6:49 PM
I don’t recall Neville Chamberlain being attacked and retaliating successfully on two fronts like Bush has done. I also don’t recall Bush crawling on his belly to Putin like Chamberlain did with Hitler.
You guys need to give the President a break with all the Chamberlain comparisons, there is nothing valid in them, its just vapid rhetoric. This is a very serious situation and perhaps a little support for the president would be more in order. Deciding to take military action against Russia is grave business.
Maxx on August 11, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Re: Sochi Winter Olympics…
According to Reuters, preparations for Russia’s first Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi in 2014 are not affected by an armed conflict in nearby Georgia, Sochi 2014 Olympics chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said on Sunday.
Perhaps he may have spoken too soon?
coldwarrior on August 11, 2008 at 6:52 PM
MB4,
You pretty much hate everybody, don’t ya?
ChrisM on August 11, 2008 at 6:53 PM
Gahhh. Major gaff. At about :54, Bush says, “It now appears an effort may be underway to depose Russia’s duly elected government.”
Why does he do these things?
jimmy the notable on August 11, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Prediction (I so hope he proves me wrong): Bush’ll do nothing for Georgia unless Georgia has oil.
In other news, oil prices continue their steady dutiful down-till-election-day fall – only by coincidence, of course.
dtestard on August 11, 2008 at 6:56 PM
Not at all. I do love freedom of speech though. Do you hate me?
MB4 on August 11, 2008 at 6:56 PM
Do you normally call names when you can’t debate someones points or are you just having a bad day?
MB4 on August 11, 2008 at 6:58 PM
No I don’t, as a matter of fact, I find your opinions very interesting and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
ChrisM on August 11, 2008 at 7:00 PM
I guess we can try to look on the bright side of all this…
1. All those liberals who spent the past five years howling about “Bush’s imperial war” can now see what a REAL imperial war looks like.
2. Georgia appears to be doomed, but the other former Soviet republics are likely to be driven even further into the Western orbit. NATO membership just became a matter of survival for them. The Turks will be less than thrilled to find they’re suddenly on the Russian border again, too.
3. Obama was in bad shape already; this could be what finishes him off. I’m calling his odds of being the Democrat nominee about 70% right now, and falling. The bad news is that Hillary will be much tougher for McCain to beat, but I honestly think that would be worth it, just to ensure Obama never gets anywhere near the Oval Office.
4. We’re getting a lot of intel about the new generation of Russian hardware and tactics, and so far, it hasn’t been too impressive. Bad guys with bad weapons are good news.
5. We might finally get those movie versions of “Red Storm Rising” and “Flight of the Old Dog,” because they suddenly seem plausible again. I think Hugh Jackman would make a good Patrick McLanahan.
Doctor Zero on August 11, 2008 at 7:02 PM
Mercy Corps, a Portland, Oregon-based relief organization has been in Georgia since 2000. This past year they expanded their efforts towards refugee Ossetians. They have the infrastructure already in place to get aid and medical assistance to Georgia.
http://www.mercycorps.org/
If you want to help…please do.
coldwarrior on August 11, 2008 at 7:02 PM
We need to help these people. They helped us.
Is Georgia a member of NATO? If so, NATO needs to step up to the plate, too. Otherwise, what good are treaties anyway? I know, ask an American Indian.
cjs1943 on August 11, 2008 at 7:02 PM
If it is “nothing valid” and “vapid rhetoric” then why does it sting you so?
Faith is believing what you know ain’t so.
MB4 on August 11, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Nobody’s gonna top this comment.
Darth Executor on August 11, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Look, I’m just yanking your chain here.
ChrisM on August 11, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Turkey is the end point of the oil pipeline that Russia would like to take over. Somehow, I don’t think they’d mind.
We also have airbases in Italy, I think, but that may be too far to go without repeated refueling.
Wethal on August 11, 2008 at 7:05 PM
KFI in Los Angeles just led their 4:00 PM newscast with the “It now appears an effort may be underway to depose Russia’s duly elected government” quote, and didn’t even try to portray it as a gaffe. They played it like Bush was getting tougher with the Russians.
Mark1971 on August 11, 2008 at 7:06 PM
… but, on the down side, I’ll bet a lot of Taiwanese just became very nervous. The precedent seems to be set: gobble up a small country quickly in an aggressive war, and you can have the whole thing wrapped up before the first strongly worded letter from the U.N. is delivered. Until now, the major villainous powers seemed reluctant to deal with the consequences of old-fashioned aggression and conquest… Wonder if any of those wheezy old 60s-retread academics are still wringing their hands over the evils of living in a unipolar world?
Doctor Zero on August 11, 2008 at 7:07 PM
Why can’t we expand our presence in Iraq and stage our flights from there? Hey, sooner or later the Iraqi’s are going to like our military being there. Look at all of the money that would be spent there. You think Germany, Korea, Japan, and other countries want us to leave? What an economic impact that would be.
cjs1943 on August 11, 2008 at 7:10 PM
I just had Fox on there was Charles Krauthammer saying Bush should not have been in China blah blah blah. Just a couple of days ago Charles was saying this whole thing would be over by today and he did not say boo about Bush in China.
Obviously Russia planned this because of the Olympics. The world would be otherwise occupied. But if Bush had left China and run home, people would have said that was wrong too…they would have said he should have stayed and confronted Putin {which he did.}
It seems everybody is a President, everybody knows better what to do.
I think Bush is being firm and I also think that there are probably a lot of things going on we do not know about.
I think that in the long run this might backfire on Russia. At least I hope so.
But one thing is for sure, we went through many years of Cold War with the old Soviets and in the course of those years, we did not directly confront the Russians when they took some little country and ground it into dust. I doubt we will now, not militarily anyway.
Terrye on August 11, 2008 at 7:11 PM
Putin is playing the “sphere of influence” game, with the ultimate goal of rebuilding the power and influence of the old Soviet Union. There is very little we can do to stop him in the short run. If the Russians push on to the capital, expect the government to fall and the Russians to take control.
This will be a warning shot across the bow of the other former Soviet Republics: stop cavorting with America and the West, or you’ll be next. Russia will have control of the pipeline across Georgia, and will be able to increase its growing stranglehold on European energy supplies. Unlike the Democrats in the US, Putin has figured out that the key to power in the 21st century is going to be energy as much as military might. Nationalized high-priced oil is helping rejuvenate the Russian economy.
John McCain is right to raise the G8 membership question. What other sticks do the West have? The Russians have always been immune to opprobrium. The UN is hopeless. We are not going to send troops and go head-to-head with another nuclear power.
The only hope Georgia and the other border Republics have is that the USA under President McCain continues to expand its influence in the Middle East, South Asia, and the Pacific, keeping economic, political, and military pressure on Russian ambitions. You can be sure that the opposite will occur under a President Obambi.
MrLynn on August 11, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Because sometimes Bush says exactly what is on his mind.
Texas Gal on August 11, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Doctor Zero:
Taiwan can not hold out against China, but they are better able to defend themselves than Georgia is.
Terrye on August 11, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Well I don’t have a newsletter just yet, but if/when I do I think I will call it “Hate R Me and the Road to Hell” and each week it will have a “What additional new who/what/where to hate for the week” section plus a recap of all the other who/what/where to hate. The newsletter will only cost $99.99 a year, but all subscribers will have to pass an very stringent online hate quiz to subscribe.
MB4 on August 11, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Hey, Ed’s famous!
From the Wall Street Journal, BEST OF THE WEB TODAY,
“Turtle Bay to the Rescue”
By JAMES TARANTO
August 11, 2008
petefrt on August 11, 2008 at 7:13 PM
MB4:
Perhaps the comparisons sting Maxx because they are so unfair. Some people care about fair.
Terrye on August 11, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Okey Doekey.
MB4 on August 11, 2008 at 7:15 PM
Man are you cranky today!! MB4 you know there is nothing valid about Bush/Chamberlain comparisons. I won’t even offer reasons, its prima facie.
Maxx on August 11, 2008 at 7:15 PM
This is what making nice gets you in the real world with the Russian Bear.
And Obama’s still in fantasyland, asking for a UN Security Council resolution to condemn Russia’s actions, when Russia has a veto on the Council.
Guess this is what that 3am phone call really looks like, and we now can see how unready the empty suit in Hawaii is to field a call like that.
avwh on August 11, 2008 at 7:15 PM
Wethal on August 11, 2008 at 7:05 PM
We also have 110,000 troops in Iraq which is very close to the conflict. We have navey battle groups in the med, and in the persian gulf again close to the action.
We have many options. The first thing we must do is insert troops to form a shield for further Russian advances. It is clear that Putin and Bush agreed in china to allow ther russian South Osetia. Putin took bush’s soft line on the conflict as a go ahead. The attack was a test and Bush failed round one. Putin will continue to push until the West says this far and no more.
this is nothing short of hitler’s garb for the rhineland in 1930′s. that led hitler to bigger and bolder moves until World war resulted. Hopefully Bush and Nato sees this for what it is and stops it in its tracks.
unseen on August 11, 2008 at 7:15 PM
Too bad Georgia was not in NATO, Russia might have thought twice about this. I hope that the Ukraine and some of the other old Soviet satellites join soon. That might give Russia some pause.
Terrye on August 11, 2008 at 7:16 PM
WTF? every Russian news source talks about nothing but what’s going on in Georgia. With a huge slant, must say.
freevillage on August 11, 2008 at 7:17 PM
I’m not sure how much Turkey would care. In a conventional war Turkey would stomp on putin’s face so hard his own mother won’t recognize him. I dislike turkey considerably and I hate to admit it but they have one of the most effective army in the world.
Why not just ask Ukraine?
Darth Executor on August 11, 2008 at 7:17 PM
WWBD…
What would Barack do?
d1carter on August 11, 2008 at 7:17 PM
And push ahead with the missile defense program … Do to Putin what Reagan did to the Soviets. History repeats itself.
Texas Gal on August 11, 2008 at 7:17 PM
And a neighbor of mine just left two days ago for a stint with the Peace Corps.
In Turkey.
(rolls eyes)
wccawa on August 11, 2008 at 7:17 PM
NATO has not allowed Georgia and Ukraine to join, for fear of provoking Russia.
JiangxiDad on August 11, 2008 at 7:18 PM
unseen:;
So, you been hanging out with Putin and Bush and listening to their conversations? I heard that Bush and Putin got into it in China. Do you really think that if Bush had said to Putin, Cut that out right now...that Putin would have swooned at his manly tone and slinked home tail between legs taking his army with him?
We have to stop this thing of making everything about Bush and what he does and says what test he fails etc. Russia did this because they damn well wanted to, it had nothing to do with some test.
Terrye on August 11, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Did you hears that Eli Mae, looks like we gots us another subscriber to my new “Hate R Me and the Road to Hell” newsletter! Looks like you won’t have to work so much overtime at the McDonald’s.
MB4 on August 11, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Jiang:
I said I hope that changes. I have heard there is talk of trying to fast track Ukraine, it seems Russia is already provoked..so what is there to lose?
Terrye on August 11, 2008 at 7:21 PM
Texas GAl:
Yeah, that defense shield makes more sense all the time.So much for just worrying about Iran, now Europe has to worry about the bear next door.
Terrye on August 11, 2008 at 7:22 PM
This is an obvious lie. Georgia and Ukraine would be let in immediately, had they been remotely in the shape a country should be if it desires a NATO membership.
freevillage on August 11, 2008 at 7:23 PM
You don’t know much about psychology, do you?
MB4 on August 11, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Is it because they were asked and they repeatedly refuse to join NATO?
freevillage on August 11, 2008 at 7:24 PM
One of the whole points of Russia’s action is to “discourage” its former vassal states which haven’t joined NATO yet from doing so.
baldilocks on August 11, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Nope, both were sponsored by us for membership, but the other Nations in Nato said no… mainly because they thought it would provoke Russia.
Russia made MANY statements during that time to disuade NATO from letting them in.
Romeo13 on August 11, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Who wants to be in Bush’s shoes right now? What options does he realistically have? Come on all you Bush bashers… lets hear it. Instead of beating up the president at a time of crisis, offer your idea’s of what to do. I’m waiting.
Maxx on August 11, 2008 at 7:26 PM
So what’s the problem? Let every one of them in, and the problem is solved. Right?
freevillage on August 11, 2008 at 7:26 PM
baldilocks:
I am sure that is true, but then again it might backfire. After all, if they are going to invade anyway these governments might want some support. If the Russians come in they will depose the democratically elected government in place..so being in NATO might be their only hope of avoiding this same fate.
Terrye on August 11, 2008 at 7:27 PM
The Russian mob has decided to enforce its oily will.
Every drop in petro values is losing them millions per day.
Killing some neighbors to start a crisis and get prices back up make sense from their cruel vantage point.
profitsbeard on August 11, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Every single poll in Ukraine shows the majority is against joining the NATO.
freevillage on August 11, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Why not? They’re not stupid enough to nuke us over a couple of shitty little provinces. They’re not our equal anymore. If they try it it won’t end with MAD, it would end with suicide. We’ll end up shooting down most of their nukes and turn their piece of crap country into a miniature sun.
Darth Executor on August 11, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Maxx:
Oh well, they will just say that if Bush was a real man he would nuke them or something and be done with it. Or something.
Terrye on August 11, 2008 at 7:28 PM
I’m not cranky at all. You seem rather cranky though.
And you misspelled prima facile.
MB4 on August 11, 2008 at 7:28 PM
:)
freevillage on August 11, 2008 at 7:29 PM
Hmmm, can you point to where I said that? Because I don’t recall doing so.
baldilocks on August 11, 2008 at 7:29 PM
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