Close to another World War?

[demonsvx]

Recent events suggest to me that we are headed to a World War. Russian invading Georgia, Georgian troops that were patrolling the border between Iran and Iraq-whos there now? Israel and Iran constantly back and forth about Irans nuke production. The US stuck in the middle of the region where we are siding with Israel, Georgia and NATO countries whereas Russia and Iran pretty much side with each other. A small misstep could throw us into a world war. We will see-as I go buy some ammo

[Bobb]

Hi everyone, A few years ago Russia was trying to get back the nuclear weapons from Georgia after the USSR fell apart. I told my wife that if Russia pushes Georgia to hard they will blow a big one off in desperation. I'm pretty sure Georgia kept one or two just to be safe. Russia didn't keep the best records of where and how many. Take care and all mushroom clouds are not fungus, BOBB

[JaySVX]

i don't forsee ammo doing a whole lot of good at the current rate of technology. you, and your 10,000 closest neighbors, will be dusted before you have time to load a clip.

[dcarrb]

There's not going to be a world war. China has already taken over without firing a shot. But who cares, so long as the shelves at Walmart are filled with cheap, plastic crap?

dcb

[Stilor]

Originally Posted by demonsvx

Russian invading Georgia

While I am not challenging the title of your post - indeed, it seems the world's gone mad - but this sentence seems somewhat one-sided. I think this topic belongs to the political forum...

Russia was protecting its own citizens in that break-away Georgian province (in both Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgia had no authority since 1992 - that is, for 16 years - so de facto, these provinces are even more independent than Kosovo). I think I don't need to remind you that US is considering protection of its citizens, even abroad, as a precedence above the territorial integrity and rights of sovereignty - "safeguarding the lives of U.S. citizens in Panama" was the top reason for US invasion in Panama, for example. In case of Georgia, I think Georgia's use of multiple-launch rocket systems against a city more than justifies immediate military response.

Some mass-media also claim that even though Russia dealt with Georgian aggression in South Ossetia, Russian troops should've stopped at the border of Georgia. First of all, look at the map of South Ossetia - you'll find its capital, Tskhinvali, right on the Georgian border. Also, I a recent example: when US intervened to protect Kuwait, did they stop at the Iraqi border? Or did US proceed into Iraqi territory to ensure Iraqi troops don't regroup and repeat the invasion?

Other side of this conflict

So my opinion is that in this conflict it's Russia who shared the American values: protected its citizens, did its best to protect civilians and limited its response to military installations.

[benebob]

No Russia is waiting until the idiot Americans pump out all the domestic gas while they hold an estimated amount larger than what is estimated to be in the ground in the US as a military strategic reserve. Then when the US has no more diesel to run its war machine they'll make their move to regain superpower status. An army is only as good as its oil supply. Just ask Hitler.

Then again, maybe I'm wrong. I'm sure we'd have no problem getting oil from around the world during war time.

[LetItSnow]

I still like the idea of Russia taking Georgia and heading straight to Alabama!

[demonsvx]

Originally Posted by LetItSnow

I still like the idea of Russia taking Georgia and heading straight to Alabama!

And head north thru Tennessee........we will show them Ruskies some southern hospitality.......with some homemade AKs

[dromano]

Georgia started the mess by doing what the USSR used to do to its satellite states if they started to get out of line, (Czechoslovakia, Hungary, the Baltics, Ukraine, Chechnya & East Germany). It appears that Putin is making moves (ending partnership with NATO, threats to Poland) to revert to the mode of cold war USSR.

I think severe damage to the Georgia military and transportation infrastructure is old school USSR, bear, hammer and sickle. Interesting to watch how long Russian military stays in Georgia and if they do more damage.

Where the hell are the neutral peace keepers?

Now that Putin has oil and western democracies are dependent on Russian oil I think Putin will play his very strong hand to the hilt. Keep your head down.

Interesting that Russian population is declining, at the current rate it's expected to be below 100 million by 2030. Consider that oil, nuke tech, military hardware and vodka are the main components of the Russian economy, Putin is perhaps looking at more moves like those in Georgia to take over bordering countries in order to grow.

[dromano]

Originally Posted by Stilor

While I am not challenging the title of your post - indeed, it seems the world's gone mad - but this sentence seems somewhat one-sided. I think this topic belongs to the political forum...

Russia was protecting its own citizens in that break-away Georgian province (in both Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgia had no authority since 1992 - that is, for 16 years - so de facto, these provinces are even more independent than Kosovo). I think I don't need to remind you that US is considering protection of its citizens, even abroad, as a precedence above the territorial integrity and rights of sovereignty - "safeguarding the lives of U.S. citizens in Panama" was the top reason for US invasion in Panama, for example. In case of Georgia, I think Georgia's use of multiple-launch rocket systems against a city more than justifies immediate military response.

Some mass-media also claim that even though Russia dealt with Georgian aggression in South Ossetia, Russian troops should've stopped at the border of Georgia. First of all, look at the map of South Ossetia - you'll find its capital, Tskhinvali, right on the Georgian border. Also, I a recent example: when US intervened to protect Kuwait, did they stop at the Iraqi border? Or did US proceed into Iraqi territory to ensure Iraqi troops don't regroup and repeat the invasion?

Other side of this conflict

So my opinion is that in this conflict it's Russia who shared the American values: protected its citizens, did its best to protect civilians and limited its response to military installations.

Was Georgia "set up" by Putin? It was not the normal course of events for Russia to have such a large force so close when Georgia attacked starting the conflict. It has "set up" written up, down and side ways. Russia is not the good guy here, Russia took advantage of an ethnic dispute period.

[Sov13t]

lol... brain washed by the western media ftl...

Hey dromano... is the world flat too?

-Sov13t.

[lhopp77]

Originally Posted by Sov13t

lol... brain washed by the western media ftl...

Hey dromano... is the world flat too?

-Sov13t.

Wonder who is really brainwashed????

Lee

[Sov13t]

Oh really...

Well let's see... did you even know where Georgia was before this "conflict" was chewed and fed to you by the CNN, the BBC, the FOXNews the whatever?

Did you know that there is actually a North Osetia? Did you know that South Osetia was assigned to Georgia's administrative region due to the fact that it was just easier to administer from Tbilisi rather than from Vladikavkaz during USSR? Did you know that the Western media... started coverage of the conflict 16 hours after it has erupted... you know what happened then? They finally were able to take pictures of the Russian tanks heading into Osetia... Do you even know who the hell started the conflict? Damn Russians, I tell ya... they have nothing better to do than sit there and think... "Oh man we gotta go take out Georgia cause their leader is a lunatic"... Who militarized Georgia? Who was backing them all this time... who's investment is it? Better yet, who was handling PR during the so called "war"?

One thing, I want to tell you... if your going to present only one side of the story... and even exaggerate, make up, falsify information... and not even mention the other side of it.... well guess what... that is called bias. And you know what else... it is a story that sells... wtf knows about Osetia or Georgia... in the west? Better yet, who the **** cares... But now that you introduce Russia into this... OOOOOOO.... worlds collide... All of the sudden media spins this off into a huge deal... politicians (pop stars) have to immediately comment on it... and so on and so forth.

lhopp... If your calling yourself an "old timer"... I'd imagine you would at least be a little more mature than us, kids, and not get involved in stupid, pointless internet arguments... *sigh*

-Sov13t.

[Stilor]

Originally Posted by dromano

Was Georgia "set up" by Putin? It was not the normal course of events for Russia to have such a large force so close when Georgia attacked starting the conflict.

Really, I am not sure I understand what "large force" you're talking about. I do not have any official information, but according to the unofficial information the only corps which are not normally stationed along the Russian south border are airborne divisions and strategic aviation - which were not "so close" to Georgia.

Originally Posted by dromano

Remember he stated "the break up of the USSR was the 'most' tragic event of the 20th century"!!!!

To be exact, he called it the most tragic geopolitical catastrophe. He further explained that the result of that collapse was that the world suddenly became unipolar, without any checks and balances. So I guess he just placed the wars into a separate category.

And imagine the same happening to US - would you call it a catastrophe if it suddenly breaks into 15 separate countries which try to survive at the expense of each other? I tell you, you don't want to live in Russia as it was in the 90-ies. Not that most of the surrounding states were any better.

Originally Posted by dromano

try discussing the topic.

Well, my $.02 contribution to the news coverage:

• Live interview with Ossetian girl who was visiting her relatives in South Ossetia when the war broke out.

• More complete interview from the same girl and her aunt - which was not interrupted by the news host.

• You probably saw some CNN coverage on the outcome of bombstrikes in Gori. Here CNN has been caught red-handed using the footage of Tskhinvali as if it were Gori.

• Want to see more of Tskhinvali ruins? Look here. Or here (just photos).

So, I am not saying that you fell victim of big media brainwashing. But the fact is, the brainwashing IS very strong in the US mass-media. Please keep that in mind and take the news US with a grain of salt. Russia may not be the best country in the world, but whatever "set up" there was for Georgia (if there was one), it could not justify multiple-launch rockets systems use on a sleeping city at night.

PS. I have not been to S.Ossetia myself, but I have been to Abhazia in 2003. I talked to some people and if I said the Abkhazians hate the idea of being a part of Georgia, that would be a gross understatement.

[dromano]

Stilor,

What is your connection to the Russia/Georgia situation? You sound like you have a dog in the fight. Anyone that defends the Russians goes on my black list, if you need the reasons, try to picture a person who has lived thru 37 more years of history than you. You sound like a Commie, a Bolshevik radical, look in the mirror, do you belong in a capitolist system??????????

I can't believe that there are so many whimp a$$ lefties supporting RUSSIA in Putin's imperialistic agenda. Get a f***ing clue!!!! Maybe when you non-patriots spill some blood for your country you will get IT

Are you a "world citizen" that wants no borders?????? Do you love the invasion from the south???? You are pathetic, so what do I know