I believe Mikhail Gorbachev's column ("Western meddling made war between Russia, Georgia thinkable," Monitor Forum, Aug. 13) accurately assesses the basis for the current shooting war between the former Soviet republics of Russia and Georgia.
Gorbachev wrote: "Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili was expecting unconditional support from the West, and the West had given him reason to think he would have it." Further on: "By declaring the Caucasus, a region thousands of miles from the American continent, a sphere of its 'national interest', the United States made a serious blunder. Of course, peace in the Caucasus is in everyone's interest. But it is simply common sense to recognize that Russia is rooted there by common geography and centuries of history."
What would be our government's response if Russia provided arms and resources to Mexico or Panama? (Remember the Cuban missile crisis?)Once again, the current administration has seriously erred. Sure we'd like to see western style democracy implanted around the world, but it is not necessarily appropriate for all.
It's not likely that Georgia will get unconditional support from the United States. Our "super power" is already spread too thinly in Iraq and Afghanistan, and we're not likely to risk direct confrontation with Russia. And they know it! That's why Russia will be able to completely crush the Georgian nation, while the United States protests in vain.
JACK WEEKS
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I agree that we need more intelligence but Democrats and wacko Left groups are against wiretapping in any form.
They are against playing loud music or doing anything remotely like coercion of enemy combatants to get information.
The habeas corpus argument by liberals is an example. No one here is being denied those rights....those in Guantanamo are....but not our own citizens so don't imply that our rights are being trampled on.
Unless you are speaking to known terrorists overseas or people who have ties to them, the wiretapping does not apply to you..........
'millennia' said:
"You will not be laughing when the next terrorist attack hits our shores. But then again like a good progressive you will blame Bush."
No, I will blame the terrorists, but these attacks will happen despite who is in office.
Perhaps you believe we should forsake all of our collective rights as outlined in the Constitution and just run scared for the rest of our lives?
The only way to put a dent in the threat of terrorism is good intelligence and good diplomacy. Not armies, and not strong-arm tactics that do nothing but anger our enemies. There are no conventional wars that can combat terrorism. Terrorists are criminals, which means we need more spies. Lobbing shells at them doesn't do anything but piss them off more...
Armyvet said:
"Your a veteran and don't support a fellow Vet who was a military hero? How very, very sad. Did you also back Hanoi John Kerry when he was running? That would be very, very sad also because of the nasty mean spirited remarks he made about our service in Vietnam. I did not support Kerry so according to him I must have been "Stuck on Stupid"
No, I don't support John McCain. If the only criteria for my support is that someone served, that would make me very short-sighted, don't you think?
Funny- I didn't know Kerry's first name was 'Hanoi'. You should check your facts. I think it is John, and yes- I still think he's a hero as well. I don't believe anything that was cooked-up during the stolen '04 election.
How is it that Bush is once again the a hole when it's the Russian mob, a/k/a za KGB once again murdering people who don't want to be under their thumb. Was it Roosevelt's fault when funny looking men in odd mustaches goose stepped about as they decided to take lessons in how "To Serve Man"?
Perhaps the lesson to learn here is that it's difficult and complicated trying to figure out how to deal best with murdering thugs, and inevitably, those who rise to the challenge will make mistakes.
- C. dog e. doG
Your a veteran also? That's fine. What does the subject of the original post have to do with being a veteran? That is just my screen name. I pointed out details on the original letter to the editor when it was denied the author didn't talk about President Bush. Did you not understand it? ""Once again? The current administration? Gee how is that twisting the words written if Jack Weeks didn't mean President Bush and those that are working under him? By using such words and the finger pointing I'm sure he would be an Obama supporter."
Your a veteran and don't support a fellow Vet who was a military hero? How very, very sad. Did you also back Hanoi John Kerry when he was running? That would be very, very sad also because of the nasty mean spirited remarks he made about our service in Vietnam. I did not support Kerry so according to him I must have been "Stuck on Stupid"
You will not be laughing when the next terrorist attack hits our shores. But then again like a good progressive you will blame Bush.
If there should be no more of this "us against them" stuff then why your response 'anonymous'?
You will not be laughing when the next terrorist attack hits our shores. But then again like a good progressive you will blame Bush.
If there should be no more of this "us against them" stuff then why your response 'anonymous'?
Millennia wants us all to be scared. I'm sick of that game.
Enough of this us against them crap.
Don't play into fear mongering. Think for yourselves.
If you really want to see Mr. Week pee his pants, just wait until the enemy is at our shore. With attitudes like his and the presumptive Democrat nominee, we will be living in a dangerous, dangerous world.
'Army Vet' said:
"Once again? The current administration? Gee how is that twisting the words written if Jack Weeks didn't mean President Bush and those that are working under him? By using such words and the finger pointing I'm sure he would be an Obama supporter."
OK? And what is wrong with being an Obama supporter? Obama is the better man.
And yes, I'M A VETERAN TOO!!!
Jack, never had you for a lover of the bear. I'd agree that there is a lot of BDS going on here (here i mean nationally), no thanks to the media (got that Monitor). As the old bumper sticker saying goes"say no to any military interventions unless a D is president." How can Mr. Weeks say we are currently spread too thin? Were were running multiple campaigns while starting others, while the active military was being reduced. I served in Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, which were all authorized by a D president and all started within 4-5 years of each other. Lets not forget the multiple bombing runs and cruise missle strikes we were making in Iraq.
JAFFO
Bush & Co. will try to make some money out this, "the greatest crisis since the end of the cold war" (John McCain). by selling some more weapons to those folks in Georgia. That's the American Way.
OK Now you can inform me as to just who is the head of the current White House Administration:
"Once again, the current administration has seriously erred."
Once again? The current administration? Gee how is that twisting the words written if Jack Weeks didn't mean President Bush and those that are working under him? By using such words and the finger pointing I'm sure he would be an Obama supporter.
You right-wingnuts keep crying about your beloved Bush, but did you know that the Monitor and not the authors title the letters?
Weeks didn't say one word about Bush in the body of the letter.
Get a life people.
April 15th, 1912. Titanic sinks. Bush, unborn to blame!!
The Caucases? I seem to remember that Bill Clinton got us into there, dropped a lot of bombs while he was dating a young intern and his wife was ducking sniper fire. Curious that this should be blamed on Bush. Of course if a liberal's panini sandwich is overcooked that's also Bush's fault.
Hey- from one 'Army Vet' to another, Jack Weeks said nothing about Obama.
He wrote a well-reasoned letter.
Be respectful, and stop trying to spin his words.
Use your head soldier...
A typical letter written by a liberal that obviously backs Obama for president. Blame Bush for each and every thing that goes wrong in and for our country. "It's all Bush's Fault", "It's all Bush's Fault" Is the author of this letter a member of the American Communist Party that has endorsed Obama for president?