[bonehead]

Just a guess but i think whoever wins the presidency next november will be man or woman of the year in '08.

[Nicholai]

In the New York Times article about Russia's current growth, they mention that Russia and China may decide to work together against the US. I thought it was fairly ironic. Did anyone see that video game about Peak Oil? In the game trailer, they mention Russia and China working together against the US. Thought it was notable.

[bluster2000]

Actually, he has said it a a couple of years ago, but unlike the nausiating representatives of the axis of hipocracy, he is consistent and refreshingly up to the point:



The unipolar world refers to a world in which there is one master, one sovereign---- one center of authority, one center of force, one center of decision-making. At the end of the day this is pernicious not only for all those within this system, but also for the sovereign itself because it destroys itself from within.… What is even more important is that the model itself is flawed because at its basis there is and can be no moral foundations for modern civilization.

Unilateral and frequently illegitimate actions have not resolved any problems. Moreover, they have caused new human tragedies and created new centers of tension. Judge for yourselves---wars as well as local and regional conflicts have not diminished. More are dying than before. Significantly more, significantly more!

Today we are witnessing an almost uncontained hyper-use of force – military force – in international relations, force that is plunging the world into an abyss of permanent conflicts.

We are seeing a greater and greater disdain for the basic principles of international law. And independent legal norms are, as a matter of fact, coming increasingly closer to one state’s legal system. One state and, of course, first and foremost the United States, has overstepped its national borders in every way. This is visible in the economic, political, cultural and educational policies it imposes on other nations. Well, who likes this? Who is happy about this?

In international relations we increasingly see the desire to resolve a given question according to so-called issues of political expediency, based on the current political climate. And of course this is extremely dangerous. It results in the fact that no one feels safe. I want to emphasize this – no one feels safe! Because no one can feel that international law is like a stone wall that will protect them. Of course such a policy stimulates an arms race.

I am convinced that we have reached that decisive moment when we must seriously think about the architecture of global security.

[Fishman]

An excellent justification for invading his surrounding countries and creating a new Warsaw Pact. Strange those little countries that suffered under Soviet control don't quite agree with him.

[bluster2000]

Can you blame him? How would US react if Russia set up puppet regimes in Central and South America? With patience and tolerance? You probably heard about direct US interventions in Grenada and Panama and under the table meddling and subversion in virtually all Central and South American countries....

At least Russia´s geopolitical appetite is more modest then that of the US of A that considers the whole planet as its area of interest and sticks its nose anywhere and everywhere... and how many countries suffering under the US imposed regimes... argh, forget it. This topic has been kicked to death already, let´s just wait and see how Amerika works out in the long run.

[Fishman]

Bluster
You had me rolling in the floor! You are comparing American intervention in South America to Russia's past history of engulfing central Europe? Strange, my friends from Poland, Romania, Lithuania seem to disagree with your evaluation of Georgia's invasion.

[heroineworshipper]

In Putin Russia, national borders overstep YOU.

[bluster2000]

Fishman,

I am glad to hear that you find my posts amusing. I am not trying to compare apples and oranges neither do I agree with your not substantiated propaganda pitch implying that Russia is presently hell bent on recovering lost territory in Europe.

History, especially history of the Central Europe and Russia is full of fascinating facts and events. One of them is that the most aggressive and bloody grab made by Russian-speaking forces of your friends' countries took place under the leadership of a leader who happened to be (gasp!) Georgian.

Yet, while Russian strong interest in the Central Europe can be justified by regional interests, I can see little or no justification for the continuous US involvement which is just one of many similar inolvments all over the world.

[KevO]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('bluster2000', '
')Yet, while Russian strong interest in the Central Europe can be justified by regional interests, I can see little or no justification for the continuous US involvement which is just one of many similar inolvments all over the world.

[EnergyUnlimited]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Fishman', 'B')luster
You had me rolling in the floor! You are comparing American intervention in South America to Russia's past history of engulfing central Europe? Strange, my friends from Poland, Romania, Lithuania seem to disagree with your evaluation of Georgia's invasion.

[bluster2000]

Well, it is one of the reasons, but there are others... Still, it is no justification nor a morally sound excuse for a junky to blame the mischief and harm done in his attempts to secure access to the stash on the object of the addiction and the addiction proper. And when "democracy", "freedom", and human rights are invoked as smoke screen the stench of hypocrisy overwhelms even the disgust and revolt over the actions.


$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('KevO', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('bluster2000', '
')Yet, while Russian strong interest in the Central Europe can be justified by regional interests, I can see little or no justification for the continuous US involvement which is just one of many similar inolvments all over the world.

[KevO]

you couldn't make this stuff up

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'R')ussian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has accused the US of provoking the conflict in Georgia, possibly for domestic election purposes.

Mr Putin told CNN US citizens were "in the area" during the conflict over South Ossetia and were "taking direct orders from their leaders".

He said his defence officials had told him the provocation was to benefit one of the US presidential candidates.

Mr Putin said in the interview: "The fact is that US citizens were indeed in the area in conflict during the hostilities.

"It should be admitted that they would do so only following direct orders from their leaders."

"The suspicion arises that someone in the United States especially created this conflict with the aim of making the situation more tense and creating a competitive advantage for one of the candidates fighting for the post of US president."

[Plantagenet]

Its more Russian propaganda. Its very unusual to have a foreign leader attack by name a presidential candidate the way Putin is trying to blame McCain for the war in Georgia.

I take this as meaning Putin and the Russians would much rather see Obama elected.

[KevO]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', 'I')ts more Russian propaganda. Its very unusual to have a foreign leader attack by name a presidential candidate the way Putin is trying to blame McCain for the war in Georgia.

I take this as meaning Putin and the Russians would much rather see Obama elected.

[newman1979]

"Wag the dog" tactics are not new in Presidential politics. The naivety of the American public can never be underestimated. Given the rapid "give away" of S. Ossetia and Abkhasia by agreement five days after the mini war shows the non seriousness of the war by the U.S. An inquiry as to what, if any, American or Israeli personnel were in S. Ossetia on August 7-8 should be investigated, and if credible evidence exists, exposed.
The plausible disclaimer that Saakashlil is a little "loose" as to why Georgia invaded is too convenient under the circumstances of multiple conversations with Cheney and McCain immediately prior to the invasion of S Ossetia that have been freely admitted.
As to Russia's "lightning quick retaliation" it is clear that the Russian intelligence is alive and well. It was naive of Georgian, American and Israeli operatives not to have anticipated the Russian response.

[Jean_de_Bruxelles]

That's one thing I really dislike : military strategy being influenced by elections. I personaly think it is a real deep weakness in our society. Of course, as long as we are winning, I'm wrong. But if we loose, I'm poor or dead

[alokin]

Yes the US made everything that this war happens (don't have to repeat the arguments) but really I cannot imagine that this happens to influence the elections. I rather thought that THEY let Obama the chance for later blaming him of all them mess. But maybe I simply don't have sufficient imagination.

[mos6507]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('alokin', '
')But maybe I simply don't have sufficient imagination.

[RdSnt]

Oh no , you've missed the point all together. If this is indeed geopolitical interference it is very clear that Putin would love to have McCain win the presidency.
An old man aspiring to senility, haunted by his own cowardice, it's way better than Bush. Look what BushCo. has done for Russia so far.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', 'I')ts more Russian propaganda. Its very unusual to have a foreign leader attack by name a presidential candidate the way Putin is trying to blame McCain for the war in Georgia.

I take this as meaning Putin and the Russians would much rather see Obama elected.

[chris-h]

McCain mind is not working correctly IMHO.
So i guess that the vice president will have the real power .