Meanwhile, over in Georgia

You wouldn't think it possible, but the Russians seem more credible than the Georgians at this point!

Sullivan:

I'm not used to instinctively suspecting America's actions in the world.

Oh, the height of the bar for "intellectuals" in this land of ours...

Remember: Sully really believes Reagan was a great president.

most read stories right now on the bbc news site:

1 Inflatable faeces raises a stink
2 Rocky Horror movie to be remade
3 'Sexercise' yourself into shape
4 Midweek quiz: Inventions
5 Mud phobia pig gets its own boots

But the most-read stories on a website are usually going to be the quirkies, aren't they? The GBP doesn't really need to read the the BBC news site's brief stuff on Russia/Georgia when it's on every TV and radio news bulletin and the papers have plenty of in-depth stuff for those who want it.

I'd like to see Moscow-based Mitya's answer to Ned's question before it gets buried and forgotten in this thread

Holbrooke was just on CNN repeating the admin line that "Russia started this"

I'm waiting on Mitya's answer as well -- we need to know more about this from the perspective he has and has access to!

so now bush wants to use military aircraft and ships to send aid to the region. is he fucking crazy?

Sully's been on fire the last couple of days:

It's possible to have differing views on how to handle Russia, although, depressingly, Obama seems to take the maximalist position of bringing Georgia into NATO. But what interests me about McCain's position is not so much the content as the tone. Check out the video above. McCain clearly believes that a nasty spat in the Caucasus is somehow the defining struggle of the next generation. He speaks in ominous tones about Russia, a state he obviously regards as some dark menace on the verge of dominating the planet. He speaks of faraway countries about which we know nothing in the manner of some Wilderness Years Churchill worrying about Hitler.

All of this is quite potty. Russia is no longer the Soviet Union. You'd think conservatives would understand this distinction. There is a difference between totalitarian states seeking world expansion and authoritarian petro-states in demographic collapse bullying neighboring states because of perceived humiliations.

Look: every Republican wants to be Churchill. But this is not 1938. And Putin's Russia is not Hitler's Germany. You'll have to find another fantasy on which to base a campaign.

Mud phobia pig gets its own boots

lol this story is still around

Something not quite thorough about "Russia's not dangerous so give 'em Georgia."

So have the tanks reached Tbilisi yet or is that more Saakashvili bull?

Tensions rose in Georgia today after an advancing Russian military convoy sparked concerns of a return to hostilities. President Bush today announced he is sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to France and then to Tbilisi, Georgia, in reaction to the conflict.

lol thanks for the throrough itinerary

so now bush wants to use military aircraft and ships to send aid to the region. is he fucking crazy?

I just saw the statement and this is nothing if not provocative (or maybe just naive). Russia now has ample opportunities to orchestrate 'incidents' in the Eastern Black Sea. Russia gets to do what it wants because the US has no ability to project power and Europe wants to stay warm this winter. I can't see any situation playing out where Russia doesn't 'win' by whatever standards it sets for winning.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7559252.stm

o shit

yeah, but is this world war III??!!

fucking NUKES people!

Can we for a moment NOT assume that we're about to see Threads all over again, thanks?

They're delivering aid. It's the least they can do. Chill, jeremy.

yeah, but russia isn't gonna stand for this, is it? they're going to see it as an act of aggression.

Five to four says the US told the Russians first before the public announcement.

more reassuring words please, i'm having a coronary, here.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but what exactly were Russian peacekeepers, who had been stationed in S. Ossetia for 15 years, supposed to do when the Georgian military invaded Tskhinval? Their entire purpose was to prevent such an attack from succeeding!

Five to four says the US told the Russians first before the public announcement.

Undoubtedly, but it still throws the Russians another grievance/bargaining chip.

Berlin Airlift, jeremy.

the russians will authorise this before hand you mean?

They will be delivering biscuits and blankets, or whatever it is they deliver in these circumstances, not bombs

I'm just saying we've fed their enemies from military aircraft before and no bombs went off.

More like, they can accuse US of brining in troops/arms whatever, then blockade, the US has to back down, Russia wins.

It's humanitarian aid, people! C'mon.

us doesn't back down, bye bye planet

How much you guys want to bet that actual Ossetians see 0 of this aid

Jeremy, since you are clearly NOT interested in being talked down from your ledge...

i dunno, nobody else feeling anxious?

Nope

the US is not interested in a military confrontation with Russia and has nothing to gain from it. they'll drop their food baskets and that'll be it. Russia may see it as a minor provocation and just use it for more grandstanding.

http://sandradodd.com/game/hangman.gif

WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE JEREMY

OMG OMG OMG

DIE

DURAN DURAN?

STORE AN AN

Yeah how interested is Russia in a military confrontation with the US?

And vice-versa?

like either country is gonna nuke each other over fucking GEORGIA. no way.

sorry, guys. just a little tense. goes back to cold war fears as a kid.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerika_(TV_miniseries)

I saw most of that TV series, god help me. Talk about a fantasy! (Though I remember how the 'punk' kid was trying to show how edgy he was by wearing a jacket with the Taiwanese flag on it.)

that was a real low moment for Kriss Kristofferson

it was a low moment for everyone

in

AMERIKA

I was really thinking they might go whole hog and get after them pipes but now they haven't and this is all just a wash

it was funny when a georgian emigrant in atlanta decided to host the georgian president's web page in georgia, though, to stave off those dastardly hackers