Comments on: McCain condemns Russia, supports Iraq invasion

By: Colorado girl

Colorado girl — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:52:32 +0000

The more appropriate questions are, is Obama ready to lead the U.S. in crisis situations, and why are you asking the American people about a part of the world they know so little about? Obama's initial reaction to the Russian invasion was tepid, at best, showing he has no real understanding of Russia, the former Soviet bloc countries and their strategic importance to the U.S. Georgia, Ukraine, the Baltic states, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia all clearly understand the danger Russia, flush with petrodollars, poses to the West and to democracy as such. Do the American people really under this? Before you begin to pose such questions, make sure Americans have the History 101 lesson they need before you ask them to answer this kind of question. These "sound-bite" questions are not conducive to having the kind of understanding and discussion of world affairs that is so critical in our country today. Americans may be angry about Iraq, but do they really believe that they can be isolationist and turn a blind eye to allies who are desperately trying to build democratic states around the world without themselves paying a price? That type of ignorance will lead to the demise of the United States as a great power (and for those who believe it doesn't hold some sway in the world today, take a trip abroad - the same countries that criticize the U.S. still look to it for leadership). Superpower status has its price. Or would you rather being putting money into the coffers of a Russian regime the next time you're at the gas pump or heating your home?

By: larry washington

larry washington — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:52:27 +0000

Jack,

I agree why should Russia back or listen to President Bush since he attacked Iraq. That shows this President goes against his own words.

By: Rocker419

Rocker419 — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:52:23 +0000

Hussein invaded Kuwait, anyone remember that? He was given conditions to live by and he thumbed his nose at the US and the world. You cooperheads all in favor of Obama have very short memories (convienient!) Russia is back and your pointing your finger at, of all people, McCain is halarious. Anyone here suggest Putin is the bad guy? No?

By: Carl Deshazer

Carl Deshazer — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:52:07 +0000

Jack,
Not only his McCain a hypocrite, but his buddy George Bush. Didn't he invade Iraq, and have Hussain hanged. That's like the pot calling the kettle black wouldn't you say.
Carl in Illinois

By: William Joseph Miller

William Joseph Miller — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:52:05 +0000

Let's set the record straight. John McCain supported invading Iraq, to toppble Saddam Hussein and grab Iraqi oil. Russia does somewhat of the same thing and John McCain is ready for war. (As if we aren't fighting enough in Iraq and Afghanistan.) Frankly, there is not too much we can do. According to an AP article on earthlink by Pasley Dodds, Russia provides the EU with 33 % of its oil and 40 % of its natural gas. If push comes to shove, Russia can either shut down or slow down that oil supply. It can even eliminate NATO.
Furthermore, we need to consider other factors. In a column in the Los Angeles Times to day, Rosa Brooks pointed out that McCain's top foreign advisor, Randy Scheunemann, was a lobbyist for Georgia, receiving $ 290,000 for his work. That sounds like a conflict of interest.
In an article in Newsweek.com, Michael Hirsch points out that the current Georgia problem is just a long list of actions that Russia finds provacative – right or wrong. However, as Brooks points out, we are helping the situation by cutting back communications with Russia, which is what has occured with Bush. I might also add that Russia has suffered recent terroristist attacks from Chechens. Albeit these terrorist attacks are probably revenge for what Russia has done in Chechnya, and albeit Georgia had nothing to do with these attacks, Russia, like the United States, feels the need to bomb and invade some crappy little country somewhere to show they mean business. Like the US, Russia is following the advice of right wing Jonah Goldberg, and we're upset.
Ironically, Martin Cruz Smith recently published an article in National Geographic about Moscow. One hip Moscovite told him "Americans will never understand Russia because they see things in black and white. Russias see a gray area of 80 percent."
This statement describes John McCain's view of world as aptly as it describes George Bush's. As a result we are enmeshed in wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Who know? Maybe as an October suprise to ensure McCain's election, we'll be at war with Iran as well.
Although many rightwingers call Obama all sorts of abominable names, Obama's statement on Georgia was far more cautious pragmatic and intelligent that McCain's. In addition, Obama warned us about trouble spots like Ossetia month ago. He stressed the need to negotiate. The media, asleep at the wheel as usual, did not pick it up. The cowboy mentality of McCain and Bush are going to destroy this country. We need to elect Obama.

By: Mila

Mila — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:52:03 +0000

Dear Sir,
I would like to share my concerns and ask you some questions that hopefully will be raised at "the most trusted" channel.
I have been watching the news and was really surprised of so many things, but mostly of how often you give Saakashvili chance to say his story. And thank God finally today I saw a Russian Rep. talking.
And 2nd, why don't you all watch and may be even show Americans the independent French documentary called "Revolution.com. USA. Invansion to the East"???? Let American people know and see how much the candidate MCCain spends time and money into ex Soviet Union countries and why he is so angry now to lose all that.
And the main idea will be for people to see how "democratic" is all that and especially Saakashvili?
AND ARE S.OSSETIANS TO BE CONSIDERED HUMAN BEEINGS AT ALL AND IF ANYBODY GOING TO SHOW THEM ON SNN AND ASK THEM A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS?
And my final question is how come all the equipment and weapon of Georgian military has the US origin? This might help me to understand how was it all prepaired and by who.
Thank you for your consideration.

By: Canadian

Canadian — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:51:46 +0000

Lets see stronger nation invades weaker one.
Then a world power comes to defense of a weaker nation...

This applies to both Iraq,Kuwait, USA and Ossetia, Georgia, Russia.
USA waited while Kuwaitis were tortured until UN allows them to proceed.
Russia got in the mix quickly (but after UN did nothing when they asked them too)

Russia destroyed much less of Georgia then USA of Iraq
Most of Kuwatis and Ossetians are thankful to their rescuers...

Government in Georgia in not democratic – read up on large protests agains it please. Georgia declared state of emergency and jailed protesters.

By: marina

marina — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:51:44 +0000

Hypocricy when McC. talks about Georgia, forgetting 2000 killed Ossetian , 74peacekeepers, and over 30K refugees from S. Ossetia for 5 days of war and cries a river about international law that was flushed down the loo when Irak was invaided and Kosovo got independent without agreement with Serbia

By: Pamela

Pamela — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:51:15 +0000

Is McCain hypocritical. YES. It is the pot calling the kettle black is what it is!

Excuse me, not that I am against humanitarian aide for anyone in need. However, I am amazed how quickly the humanitarian aide arrived in Georgia on the other side of the world , but hasn't made it to Louisiana (Katrina). Very interesting.

Pamela
Fair Oaks, Ca

By: tony e

tony e — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:50:47 +0000

you people can't be serious, you're going to make age jokes(he probably forgot we invaded iraq.etc) at a time like this ...who has time to blog at three in the afternoon? most people are at there jobs...this guy was being tortured.yeah,real torture ,(not having womens panties pulled over they're heads like the iraq's cried about) while you people were in your underoo's eating cereal...