> They wanted - reportedly - to "punish" the Georgians. Also Medvedev
> used the term "punishment".
>
> I respond: I agree. I reviewed many news sources on the date that you
> said
> this. They all reported this same word punishment. I am curious to know
> on
> what basis Russia has determine it has authority to punish. I know of no
> law that entitled them to punish.
>
> Of course over the course of the week, the words have changed to defense,
> peackeeping and so on/
>
> I have been reading as many sources as possible, trying to keep my mind
> open, read what's in the press from all over, viewed RT broadcasts, viewed
> French and BBC tv. After reading as much as possible
>
> The short version of this story: after many years of ongoing conflict, no
> one can claim that someone was the first or that there was a precipitating
> event with a record of hostilities of this nature. Either way, there's no
> question that Russia has lost the public relations war. Saying that they
> feel encircled is not in most media a basis to attack someone. I did read
> somewhere however, there's a claim that the Georgians admitted they shot
> first, but that they felt that they were being ambushed by a diplomat who
> had a flat tire. One has to marvel at a history of hostilities that
> engendered this much distrust.
>
> My heart goes out to both sides, about the casualties, the destruction.
>
> However, no matter how many times I read the information, and the very
> loud
> noises about who is right and who is wrong, I keep coming back to the same
> political question.
> I understand a people's desire to be free. Good god, I grew up arund this
> emotion having been raised as a Ukrainian child in diaspora. That's all
> we
> ever heard and still hear is about the need to maintain freedom. What I
> am
> unclear about, and anyone should fill me in with the details if they can.
> It is my understanding that Georgia, Abkhazia and Ossetia were a
> federation
> (assuming that is the right word) and recognized as such by all parties
> upon
> dissolution of USSR. I get the argument about false Stalinist boundaries.
> But you have to start somewhere.
>
> If the only argument to changing boundaries is that they were Stalin era
> or
> something of that nature, then wouldn't Russia (who I believe is
> forwarding
> this argument) lose quite a bit of territory?
>
> But am I correct in my understanding of the boundaries and that they were
> in
> fact set at the time of the USSR dissolution, and there is a legitimate
> federation, which seems to be what most of Europe and USA are alleging as
> the basis for nondissolution and nonoccupation.
>
> There have been many comparisons drawn to other battles and wars.
>
> The closest comparison in my mind (assuming that the federation concept
> upon
> dissolution of USSR is accurately reported in the several sources I have
> read), then this is most comparable to the US's own civil war, when
> certain
> states desired to secede. I think most of the world isn't really aware of
> exactly just how sensitive the US really is to federation cessation
> issues.
> At the time of the civil war, each state was far more homogenous than
> those
> same states are today. They were easily identifiable based on ethnic
> origin, religion and so on. Today there is still some pattern as for
> example Utah is generally presumed to be Mormon. And so on. However,
> today, what often characterizes and differentiates a state is its laws
> about
> various subjects that are reserved to the state rather than to the federal
> government.
>
> The news about Georgia and Russia has virtually disappeared from the US
> tvs.
> Mostly, there is a dribble about some remaining Russian adventurism (that
> is, something about their having captured prisoners of war when in fact
> they
> have signed a cease fire) and a Nato meeting.
>
> One thing is a certainty: the world needs new solutions and instruments.
> These olds ones aren't working.
>
> On to a different subject:
>
> I am sure you saw the John Edwards embarrassment. It's not just even
> about
> whether he had an affair. Apparently they are trying to determine whether
> there was misuse of campaign funds.
>
> While my computer was out of service, my friend from Florida visisted
> here.
> We hung out for a bit. I love spending time with her young son. I gave
> Henry two rings to add to his pirate treasure.
>
> We ate at a marvelous restaurant.
> It has a remarkable history as many of our presidents and politicians have
> stayed there. They have a small museum on the premises too.
>
http://www.gadsbystavernrestaurant.com/
>
