McCain condemns Russia, supports Iraq invasion
Click the play button to see what Jack and our viewers had to say. (PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
"In the 21st century, nations don't invade other nations."
So says John McCain, as part of his tough talk about Russia's attacks on Georgia. In calling for Russia to get out, McCain says he doesn't think we'll reignite the Cold War, but that you can't justify the "extent and degree" of Russia's intervention in Georgia. The presumptive Republican nominee insists that we need to make sure that in the 21st century, we all have respect for the sovereignty and independence of nations.
Watch: Cafferty: McCain a hypocrite?
Say what? The United States invaded the sovereign nation of Iraq more than 5 years ago. And you, Senator McCain, were all for the idea. You voted for the war, remember? At the time, McCain insisted that the U.S. needed to act before Saddam Hussein could develop more advanced weapons. And since then, McCain has remained steadfast in his support of arguably the biggest foreign policy blunder in the history of this country. At one point, McCain said U-S troops could remain in Iraq, a sovereign nation, for 100 years.
When it comes to punishing Russia for its actions, the Arizona Senator says its potential membership in the World Trade Organization should be reviewed along with its membership in the G-8. He believes an international peacekeeping mission should be sent to Georgia and that NATO should re-consider adding Georgia and Ukraine to the alliance.
Here’s my question to you: Is John McCain hypocritical to condemn Russia for invading Georgia when he voted to invade Iraq?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Norm from Alabama writes:
Of course he is being hypocritical about this, just as he is about everything else. Example: all the pontificating about Obama being "presumptuous" and then McCain goes on TV to speak for America as though he were in fact its leader. Hypocrisy runs through his veins right along with nastiness and dishonesty.
Josh from Illinois writes:
Of course he is and I'm glad someone in the media is finally pointing that out! “In the 21st century, nations don't invade other nations?" Clearly Senator McCain needs more nap time.
Dave from Missouri writes:
Absolutely not! Iraq was controlled by a dictator and Georgia has a legally-elected president. The two should not even be considered in the same category.
Donna from Wisconsin writes:
Of course! Same with Bush telling Putin to back off. Excuse me? You wouldn't listen to anyone tell you to 'back off' Iraq! Our nation’s image and credentials have been severely damaged by Bush, and McCain will only make it worse.
Stan writes:
Of course McCain is being hypocritical. He's a Republican after all. The Bushies lecturing the Russians on the sovereignty of nations is analogous to the weasel lecturing the fox on the rights of chickens.
James from Prescott, Michigan writes:
Absolutely! The Russians were only surging and continue their surge in McCain’s surgeable tradition.
Vince from Carson City, Nevada writes:
Is the Pope...? Does a bear...? Duh.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Congradulations Jack. You're the first newsman to see that there is linkage between the U.S. invasion of a sovereign nation, Iraq, and what the Russians have done to Georgia. The Bush administration compromised any moral position we may have had to lecture Russia on its inappropriate action. America will pay for the blind, unthinking, blundering actions of the Bush administration for decades to come.
I only need a one word answer for this one Jack .YES !
Cafferty
I really want us to see it this way...800,000.00 in three yrs what do you expect...? Someone need to tell McCain we have President Bush speaking for all Americans. He his not the President
mike
chicago, IL
The Democrats call McCain "a second George W. Bush" but in reality he is much more militant than Bush. Bush always mad an effort to get along with Putin
He sure is Jack. McCain voted to invade Iraq along with Bush. And he continues to support something that has been proven to be drummed up by the White House. Then he condems Obama for acting like he was elected President when he toured Iraq and Europe. But he himself is acting like we already voted for him over the Georgian Crisis. He is the biggest hyprocrite in all of Politics.
Of course he is Jack, but the man has been speaking out of both sides of his mouth for oh, about a year now.
He has somehow convinced himself that the two invasions are completely different. So far the rest of the media are not touching this one, because it would imply that US and Russian forces are morally equivalent. This coud get quite tricky for McCain, but luckily for him he will run against the one Dem he can beat!
Of course he is. At least the Russians believed they had a real reason, unlike Bush who was doing it for oil and his own “legacy.”
No, because he voted to invade Iraq after they violated countless UN resolutions. Georgia didn't violate any.
I don't recall Russia getting on our back side when we invaded Iraq.
Speaking about Russia's invasion of Georgia, John McCain actually said:
"In the 21st century, nations don't invade other nations".
Yes of course- especially when he says something like "this is the 21st century, countries do not invade other countries....."- I had to rewind 3 times on my DVR to make sure I heard him correctly!! He said it with a straight face too! You gotta give him a break though- he's what 109? He forgot that we were still in Iraq.
How dare you point that idiocity out? John McWar is the "alter boy" of wars. He did not see any wrongdoing in invading Iraq but he calls out Russia on their invasion. The Mccain campaign is willing to do and/or say anything to buttress his assumed ability to manage foreign affairs. The American people are sick and tired of the "war monger" label the rest of the world has of us. All this position projects, is the fact that he will put us in a similar one that the Bushes, Cheyney and Rumsfeld have us in now.
Time for a change in that mind set.
yes.but you already gave the reasons why.so,next question,jack.[i feel like i'm taking an oral test.]
Jack, a while back you asked if the U.S..A' s image abroad was improving.
I think it is obvious that the US no longer has much clout on the world stage, thanks to Bush.
Imagine. He is abmonishing Russia for invading a sovereign nation.
How can anyone take that man seriously?
Hi Jack
The Americans have lost the high ground in Iraq let the French handle this one and pretend Condi Rice did all the work. Voila and keep on dreaming Americans
John McCain is so geographically challenged, he would call up the National Guard to defend Savannah from the invading Russians. Let’s make sure he knows the difference between the two areas first.
John McCain hypocritical? You've got to be kidding?! He's not hyporcitical about anything! He charges Obama with flip flopping and McCain would never flip.....shoot, there goes my point.
that's 1 in 20 things i could list on what makes john mccain a hypocrite.
Finally someone with common sense, you're the man Jack. It is so hypocritical, he should go hide his face in shame. I've been waiting for someone to say this, thank you Jack. Bush and McCain are living by their rule of, do as I say, not what I do. End of story.
Typical politics. Democrats and Republicans do this to each other all the time. It's the old "You're morally wrong for doing something, but when I did it a couple of years ago it was justified" argument. Clinton gets caught lying, the Republicans cry foul and the Democrats cry witch hunt. Bush gets caught lying, the Democrats cry foul and the Republicans cry witch hunt. The worst part about the government is that it is run by politicians.
YES, John McCain is hypocritical to condemn Russia for invading Georgia when he voted to invade Iraq. What makes it even more hypocritical, is our invading Iraq is worst than Russia invading Georgia. Russia did not over through the Georgian government and the war in Iraq has been going on for over five years. How can he point a finger?
Yes!!!!!!!
Obviously ,you have failed to grasp McCain's logic. They are the bad guys, we are the good guys. They invade, we liberate. They murder, we incur collateral damage. I do not grasp his logic either, but I have not made it all the way to senile yet.
jack,
I don't think the US should open their mouth in what's going on over there. we did the same thing in iraq and now we want to judge RUSSIA come on, and jack did you see how fast the russian army was? that concerns me a lot about our commanders.
Not really, McCain is sincere in these two things – unfortuante that he is suffering sel-delusion.
We can not and must not police the whole world.That is why we have the U.N.McCain is unable to speek the truth with-out liberman tapping him on the shoulder to help him.
We now have troops in harms way in three countries,while the Mexican army hold our Border patrol at gun point on U.S soil in Arizona.John Bush McCain...........
Of course he is. He's as hypocritical as his entire lobbyist campaign staff. I wonder if his chief foreign policy adviser wasn't gainfully employed as a lobbyist for Georgia if he would have much of an opinion on it. As they say, follow the money.
John McCain has always been a Hypocrite. He votes the way the Wind Blows. He voted to grant Amnesty to illegal aliens a few years back, then he "Flip Flop" on that when he decided to run for President. McCain is not to be trusted.
Typical republican hypocrisy!
Of course, McCain and every member of the current administration is two-faced on this issue. This is just one more reason why the Republicans should never be allowed in power again. They have disgraced the good name of America to the point that we have no moral authority to condemn illegal wars of other nations. They have made the world more dangerous for innocent civilians around the world while profiteering off of death and destruction. There is no lower form of humanity on this earth.
I thought the exact same thing when I heard McBush say this the other night. Maybe he is suffering from dementia and has already forgotten we invaded Iraq!
Let's make sure that Senator McCain knows the geography of Georgia before he sends troops down south and invades Alabama by mistake.
Yes, McCain is a hypocrit on many fronts – truth, morals, elitism, celebrity to name a few . Just add this one to the list.
Jack:
Is McCain hypocritical? Yes, in that he continues to back the Iraq invasion and no, because the two situations are "apples and oranges."
I don’t believe we invaded Iraq to take their country and make it part of the US. We were told (albeit a lie) that Saddam Hussein was continuing to make WMD’s and there was a genuine threat to the US.
If the citizens of South Ossetia and Abkhazia want to once again be part of Russia, let them move to Russia. Sending troops to invade Georgia is downright stupid on the part of Russia.
The free world should throw them out of the G-8 and impose sanctions. Although it would cause some hardships here in the US, I believe for the sake of freedom Americans would rise to the occasion, adjust, and go forward with creating alternate fuel resources. I would hope the rest of the free world would follow our lead.
Terri
Here is the “pot calling the kettle black”. Bush with the support of McCain and his likes morally bankrupted the USA leadership in the world and here is the true definition of empty words. Can Bush or McCain right now get any support from any other country in the world to help Georgia whose sovereign nation is being raped by Russia? Guess what Russians knows empty words when they hear them. With US troops buried in Iraq until victory is secured (whatever that victory might be), America has its hands tied behind its back and Bush has his foot in his mouth gagging trying to tell Russia to respect Georgia’s sovereignty. What a joke! And this is beyond lame. My 5 months old SON is better than this, he says a lot that I don’t understand but we communicate and understand each other very well. His deeds as well as mine speak voumes.
I am concerned amid all the smoke of war and war of words we are missing a piece. Did the Georgians attempted to exterminate a portion of their population? Europe has had a long history of genocide. Serbia is one recent example. If this is the case, Mr. McCain must be more balanced in his criticism. Whether we call it genocide or war, they are both offensive to me because I am a piece of the whole that is humanity.
It is my hope that the tone on the world stage gets changed. I believe Sen. Obama and his movement can guide this process.
I think this is a completely different situation Jack. Iraq, we were all lied to and alot of good people supported the invation because we believed the President of the United States. Now that we've created a monster over there he thinks we need to clean up our mess. Georgia is trying to free itself from Russian control and be a country of democracy. We as well as McCain should be standing behind them. So, my answer is yes he should no matter what his stance is on Iraq.
Mcbush wasn't being a hypocrite when he said that. He just forgot about the Iraq war he helped start. He's old and tends to forget things like unjust wars and human rights violations, give him a break its not like he is running for a major office... nevermind Jack.
"In the 21st century, nations don't invade other nations. I was wondering in all that heap of medical records McCain released, if there was an Alzheimer's test done and what were the results.
It is difficult to understand this guy's position.At one point he is against diplomacy and at the same time reveals his achille hills when Russia not Iraq rears her head.Bomb,Bomb,Bomb Iran goes into oblivion.The Georgian President coldn't disagree more: urging mcWAR ton move from words to deeds.But the presumptious bulldog is helpless.
Conclusion only Iraq can be invaded in the twenty-first century.HE IS INDEED A REAL COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF!
God bless America!
Last I checked, the United States had no intention of annexing any Iraqi territory and claiming it as our own. We fully intend to leave Iraq with an autonomous, stable, functioning government.
Russia is trying to militarily capture South Ossetia and Abkhazia and claim it as Russian territory under the guise of "protecting" the denizens of those regions. I'd say that's a pretty big difference.
Leave McCain alone Jack!
He can't help it, He forget's thing's!
Jack, McCain said all Americans are Georgians does that mean I don`t have to pay taxes this year? Just curious.
Of course when Obama said he was a citizen of the world the McCain swift boat dudes said he was un American, but they think it`s ok for us to be Georgians. (these dudes are pure trash.)
Considering the lobiest ties McCain has with Georgia I can`t help but think he doesn`t have the best interest of America at heart.
Jack,
YES..............He is just mad because Russia beat him to it.....
Oil it is , my friend, oil.
Russia wants that pipeline too. McCain figured he could acquire it via his lobbyist. Russia out smarted him.
YES !. He is hypocritical to condem the Russians for their actions when we did the same thing !. Seems to me the Russians had a reason for what they did, (although their actions were stronger than what they should have been). Our reason was based on a lie that just spirled out of control. McCain has no room to be pointing a finger.
We invaded two sovereign nations, Iraq and Afghanistan and I'm sure that we have big noses involved in this mess, too. Any no-bid contracts available? Mercenaries for hire? The republicans are not surprising me anymore. I just wonder why it seems our congress are sitting on their hands and letting it happen again? Our saber is badly broken and we shouldn't be waving just the haft around to make threats. We have nothing to threaten them with, no money, no military, and obviously, no brains representing us. The russians are good at playing chess and our checker playing administration is no match.
Jack, you are ingenious in your mentioning of sovereignties of Iraq and Georgia, especially in the context of what John McCain is appearing to be hypocritically missing to look at.
Shafi Alam
Austin, Texas
Now Tokyo, Japan
When I heard he said that I started laughing..I frankly don't think he understood what he said, just like he didn't know he offered his wife for a naked contest lats week.
Jack if this guy gets into the White House, we are in so much trouble.
New rule is: In the 21st century its, don't do as the USA does, do as the USA says. Remember the anthrax in 2001. McCain was spouting off on Letterman that he thought it came from Iraq. When that didn't pan out, they had to find another reason to get over there. Yes hypocritical with a capital H! Also I find it strange that Mcain's good friend in Georgia just happen to get in this mess when McCain is running on his military experience for the White House and Obama is on vacation. Oh what a tangled web we weave.....
Of course he's hypocritical. Our leaders thinking that it's okay when we do it, but wrong for anyone else is a big part of why the rest of the world has such a low opinion of us!! Russia shouldn't have done it, and we shouldn't have done it either. We also shouldn't have violated the Geneva convention!
Yes. I am so sick of the Republican Party screaming I'm a Christian then in the same breath see how many people they can kill. I can't believe such hate that they bring to people. Just listen to Limbaugh, Rove, etc. All hate mongers.
How can anyone vote for this war monger John McCain? The media lets him off the hook all the time.
I have lost total respect for Old-Mac.Russia is doing the same thing this country is doing,the only difference they didn/t lie to their people to start the war.
McCain is bush to the core.He know`s how stupid it sounds, but he says it anayway. Just like the evil doer that spawnd him.I feel for the people of Georga,but (pooty poot )isn`t playing games with (W) anymore.It`s time for us to stay in our on back yard and get out of Iraq.
Jack,
This is a typical response by an old war hawk's view of the world. That is do what we say not what we do...
C.I., New York
Yes. But Russia should just tell everyone they invaded Georgia to find those elusive WMD’s. Then we will have to support them…
Why do you think they call him McSame? He and Bush are joined at the hip on almost every issue including invading a soveriegn nation like Irag and they have the gaul to lamblast Russia albeit Russia should not invaded Georgia. Does the word Hipocrets come to mined?
This is a trick question, right? Next thing you know, McCain will be saying that the Russians want to stay in Georgia for 100 years and condemning that. If it weren't so serious, I bet a lot of Russians would be laughing their heads off at the notion that this guy might be the next President of the United States.
John McCain is a hypocrite....period.....
Now that our troops are worn out, stretched thin and sick of war, what would he suggest we do?
The situation there is very volatile, very tense, and any US troop presence will only escalate the crisis.
McCain wants to talk about Obama's lack of international experience and lack of judgement on the world stage, yet what has John McCain done in his many years in the Senate to make Russia think twice about invading another country?.....nothing.... EXCEPT invade Iraq and want to stay there.
For McCain to say this, it is not only hypocritical, but pathetic. This is the same McCain who said that we would have our troops in Iraq for 100 years and he wants to stay the course. It is mind boggling to listen to what this man has to say. First, the celebrity ad, then the "We are all Georgians" quote he took from JFK, and now he saying this? What's he going to say next?!?
Poor Mark from Asheville, NC.... What will you do when Obama win? This question had nothing to with him, yet you had to put your little negative remark into your post. Hopefully when PUMA have their little uprising, you will be satisfied that your lying candidate (Hillary) will try to take the nomination from Obama one last time. Umm, did you donate like the other 18 million cracks, I mean supporters?
Like McCain, there are a few militant leaders around the world that still use this type of foreign policy, but we consider them on the axis of evil. Does this mean if McCain is elected, we will become our own worse enemy?
There is a big difference between us invading Iraq and the Russians invading Georgia. I was in Atlanta just last week and it makes me sad to think that the Russians now control our Peach state. McCain was right to condemn the Russian attack within our borders. I like peaches and pecans and now the price will go through the roof.
Yes, especially since this thing is about oil, just like Iraq was. The Russians are strategically bombing the pipeline BP oil is running through the country to bypass Russia's control on delivery. BP is the largest supplier of oil to the US. I used to think fighting about religion would lead to the end of the world...now I am sure it will be over oil.
Glad to see comments from Jack Cafferty on Georgia. Need more.
It has been six days since Georgia attacked South Ossetia. As international press is being allowed in the area it is becoming all too apparent how vicious the attack was.
The United States has not as yet acknowledged that it was Georgia that started this war.
Until there is an acknowledgment, the United States involvement as a piece broker is hypocritical. In fact, the entire world wonders if their motivation for involvement shouldn’t be under suspicion.
In addition, John McCain wants to fast track these guys into NATO. Is he absolutely crazy?
This is the clearest example yet of how unfit for command McCain is as it shows a serious lack to deductive logic, intelligence, and proficiency in the art of politics.
Consider: His senior foreign policy expert has lobbied for the Georgian government for years. Therefore in an indirect way he is paid by them so he can't bite their hand and must forcefully defend them. He has staked his presidential run on his foreign policy credentials: the surge in Iraq-a war he has always supported-as his trump card.
Piece all of that together, being fully aware of the hate most of the world has for America currently and the global 24-hour news cycle, and the best he can come up with is, "nations don't invade other nations in the 21st century". A statement that clearly makes no rational sense to a worldwide audience or a domestic audience. What if he actually was President and said that? It would be more embarrassing than Bush?
McCain statement "in the 21st century, nations don't invade other nations" is proof that he has separated himself from the fact that we invaded Iraq, only that the surge is working. Calling McCain a hypocrite would be the least of my worries.
John McCain was a hypocrit way before Russia invaded Georgia. It is alright to be patrotic to your own country, but using that as a reason for what the Bush Presidency has done to this country should not only be an impeachable offence, but has put all of our country at greater risk than ever before in history. I for one will be grateful when this reign is over, and the American people can again live in peace, and work toward greater goals than just making sure the oil companies make it rich.
Wow Jack! Way to make the connection! Now Bush and McSame have a friend and comrade in Putin.
In what I'm sure will be a minority opinion response to your typically biased question, no it's not hypocritical. Rightly or wrongly the US reacted to a perceived threat from Iraq against it's neighbors, Isreal, and the US. Saddam Hussein admitted he was feeding the illusion he had WMD's as a form of deterent. WMD's in his hands would definitely threaten the region, our allies, and by implication the US. If we knew that Japan was going to attack Pearl Harbor, would we have waited until they did so before taking action? I think not. It's hard to conceive how Georgia, with no WMD's, and less than 5 million people would be a treat to Russia, a country with 30 times the population and a massive military.
It doesn't matter what John McCain says now. The Russians waited just long enought for America to be militarily weakened and so resource dependent to be ineffectual on the world's stage. We are decades behind and leaderless. It's the old story; McCains mouth is writing checks OUR ass can't cash.
No Jack, John McCain is not being hypocritical...he's just mad that we didn't think of invading Georgia first before Ivan did because, as anyone with half a brain knows, it's all about the oil!
It's all part of the game Jack! Russia knows they will get away with invading Georgia just like we got away with Iraq. McCain is just acting like a loud mouth kid at recess. The world is watching to see who will be "king of the hill."
When John McCain went on an overseas tour no one paid any attention to him until he couldn't remember the difference between a Sunni and a Shiite.
When Obama went on his overseas tour hundreds of thousands turned out to listen to him speak at every possible location.
The reason is simple. If you don't have any respect from people no one will listen to you but if you have everyone's respect they will all try and listen to you.
To answer you question........yes John McCain is a hyprocrite and comes across as an out of touch remnant of the past, often confused with very limited stature. But don't worry as no one really listens to him or cares about anything he has to say and pretty much consider him America's problem.
No Georgia didn't break any UN sanctions like Iraq did, and not let UN in to inspect, and lie about everything. Russia just wants to claim land that is now Georgia's. McCain is not hipocritical. Maybe Obama can fly over to Russia and, talk to Putin like he want to in Iran and say please leave Georgia, but if you don't we won't do anything anyway.
It would mean alot, I'd love for Powell to be President or VP
As the commercial say "It doesn't get any better than this"
Wow!! McWar at it again, The US invaded Iraq based on lies and hear say, The Russian kick Georgian A*** for invading South Ossetia because they wanted to show their might and effect their will on those people however, they overlook the fact that South Ossetia had a big brother (Russian) who literally showed Georgia what it felt like. The US has lost all crediability because of it's own actions in Iraq and in foreign policy and are unable to exert any infuence on any foreign goverment .Come on November, a change is coming.
They are two separate issues but some will think McCain is being hypocritical others will not.
At least McCain spoke out about it while Obama just sent emails because he didn't want to interrupt his vacation. Priorities Jack. Priorities.
Jack, Yes he is, and I've got one thing to say to Mr McCain and Mr Bush... "Step back, sit down and shut the hell up before you get us into another war !" Thanks.
Jack, We all know John McCain can wage war-but can he wage peace?
Patsy in Nebraska
I think Jeremiah was on to something, invade iraq, invade Georgia, what goes around comes around, chickens coming home to roost, We need McCain to now invade Leningrad, except McCain has no troops left.
He is most definitely hypocritical. Although I think it is terrible that Russia invaded Georgia, it is similar to the U.S. invasion of Iraq if one really thinks about it. McCain with all of his rantings and ravings is only making the situation worse. He would be a dangerous person to have as President, never hesitant to get us in a war situation.
Americans better wake up and vote for Obama is peace is what they want!
No Jack, John McCain is not being hypocritical…he’s just mad that we didn’t think of invading Georgia first before Ivan did because, as anyone with half a brain knows, it’s all about the oil!
and people are serious about voting for this lamebrain....
Jack, On this matter McCain is a hypocrite. He has the Iraq war hat to wear. The Russians realize we have no moral high ground or the military strength to do anything their move on Georgia.
just more evidence that John McCain is even MORE eager to go to war than George W Bush. he's an old "might makes right" cold warrior that want's the 1984 style "Perpetual War" for America.
guess I better clean out that old 1950's bomb shelter just incase "McNuts" gets elected.
we hammered russia for invadeing afganastan,now look at what we have created.so now were hammering russia for invadeing georgia. why don`t we trust our allie in nato to take care of its own back yard and we can take care of our own backyard.we have no bussiness putting missle defence systems in georgia.thats like russia putting missle defence in cuba.once again the president i have supported has not throught this through.putin is right this time we either are or are not allies.get over the cold war and show some common since. tom missouri
Jack, it's more than hypocritical. Iraq had nothing to do with any attack on us. Georgia, on the other hand, attacked Russian troops in South Ossetia. McCain looks like he favors aggression wherever and whenever.
Jack, yes he is. Georgia started an action against another Soviet state and Russia sought to thwart this situation. What the U.S. did in Iraq is technically a war crime according to the Nuremberg Tribunal and also it violated UN rules of being an aggressor nation by invading another country. John McCain's lack of serious comprehension and judgment on many issues, demonstrates he does not have the leadership skills he proclaims.
Do you mean the "Bomb, bomb, bomb......bomb, bomb Iran" guy?
YES, Jack, he is a hypocrite!
Jack didn' you know that United States treat world with double standards. This is not new. This what United States do around the world everyday. They will try to protect their own interest at any cost. By invading Iraq, they tried to protect oil. Now they only sideline with Georgia because that can tighten the grip on Russia. They do all this by painting a different picture on American peoples mind. Not only McCain but a lot of other politicians would do the same.
– Nuwan from Houston, TX
Mr. McKnow-it-all stumbles often and uses old practices to solve current problems. Of course he is hypocritical. An example is that he has voted for government contracts that have resulted in loss of American jobs. But
he talks about creating new jobs. He contradicts himself.
Hypocrit should be his middle name. He will do and say anything to win a few votes. The strait talk express has been melted down and sold for scrap.
McBush's top foreign policy adviser on his campaign has been a lobbyist for the Georgian government for the last 2 years, I haven't even heard CNN mentioned this. I don't know about you but this would seem to be pretty relevant to his position on this subject. All Russia has to do is when first 5 or 6 reasons turn out not to be true way they invaded Georgia all they have to say is we are here to spread democracy like we did in Iraq.
Jack,
Stop reminding John McCain what he said or did, you are going to confuse him and he will flip flop again. Some things are just second nature. If you just let him ramble on it is like going home for the holidays when your grandfather goes on a verbal rampage about WWII, you just grin and bear it. Soon he will forget what he says and it will be a different topic all together. It is huricane season Jack, there is a lot of hot air out there.
Ty, Kansas City, Missouri.
Hypocrytical?
You think?
How stupid do you have to be to make such a remark?! And there's actually people planning to vote for this man? I don't care if you vote for Bob Barr or Ralph Nader or Obama, but his .... nonsensical undiplomatic war loving err... let me think of a word that will pass moderation....
Jack,
Two totally different circumstances but like everything else you write, its written to instill the comments like your getting from the far left. This whole thing is so far outside Obama undestanding it that he looked like Rodney King in his first statement and almost saying "Why can't we all just get along?"
Jack: I heard John McCain make this statement at his press conference on Wed. and I was wondering when someone was going to call him on it. Also what is he doing giving a press conference on what we should be doing about the situation with Georgia and Russia? Is he President yet? Maybe he should wait until he gets elected as he has mocked Obama about on many occasions. Please, talk about hypocrisy. The United States can invade another nation and justify it but no one else can?
But is O.K Jack, Senator MCain is "old" and we have to hug him.....
Poor, poor Senator MCain.....
YES!!!! This is so typical though. This is the pot calling the kettle black. Get real John!
Is John McCain hypocritical to condemn Russia for invading Georgia when he voted to invade Iraq?
McCain: "In the 21st century, nations don't invade other nations"
Did I miss something here, that is all that we have done in the 21st century!
Mccain is so out of touch.
He still thinks we are in a COLD WAR against those "commies" in Russia.
Just another reason to vote for Obama.
Jenna
Roseville CA
Jack,
It's not just McCain who is a hypocrite, the entire US Government is.
As soon as unilateral action was taken against Iraq, the precedent for others to do the same was set. America has lost ALL credibility internationally, and handed Russia the right to invade Georgia without facing the threat of international recourse.
Jack
Is a black spot a black spot. I wouldn't trust McCain to carry out my trash.
Fred
It's the proverbial do as I say not as I do syndrom. McCain, like Bush, doesn't see it as wrong for us to invade another nation because we are "the good guys", but it is wrong for any other nation to follow suit regardless of their reason. To me, the only difference between the two invasions is that Russia took the time to learn about Georgia and make a plan before invading. Hypocracy at it's best.
Yes, and maybe start a war with Russia and get our butt kicked then we would learn a lesson maybe.
Sure he's hypocritical Jack.
He's also about as undiplomatic as one could be.
It's all nice and well that McCain likes to portray himself as the candidate that knows war and how to win it. But please let's not start another one.
Yes, he is being hypocritical. McCain can't have it both ways. Either invading a sovereign nation is wrong or it isn't. If McCain believes the latter, in terms of U.S. policy, then we shouldn't elect him.
No...I thought he sounded like Reagan. When Reagan said "tear down this wall" and remember what happened. It take guts to deal with world powers not a team of lawyers.
Papo Oregon
Russia should be condemned for invading Georgia. However, the condemnation should not come from the same folks who orchestrated and approved the invasion of Iraq. It takes a real set for George Bush and John McCain to lecture any country on the wonders of peaceful coexistance.
How can he say that and keep a straight face. I am astounded by his temerity. Maybe he can just stand up and say " I know how stupid you all are, so I'll just say anything I want. My god what is this world coming to?
Absolutely! The Russians were only surging and continue their surge in McCain surgeble tradition.
McCain the Maverick has a senior adviser, Randy Scheunemann. Between Jan. 1, 2007, and May 15, 2008, while Scheunemann was also a paid McCain advisor, "Georgia paid his firm $290,000 in lobbying fees." Do you smell this Jack? Sounds like an early October surprise! We don't need anymore of this type of politics!
Jack, didn't most of the senators vote with McCain. So who are the hypocrates?
Carol in Oregon
The New Voice of the World: America no long in control
By Joe Smitjh cc
bjgchristian.blogspot.com
When will America get it there no long a world power? The latest incident in the Georgia republic shows that Russia doesn’t care what America says. It took the France and EU President Nicholas Sarkozy to call for a crease fire to stop Russia. To top it off after President Nicholas Sarkozy came back from Russia, the Russia went to Europe to broker a crease fire. Did anybody catch what just happen? The Russia went to Europe not the UN. So that America could feel apart President Nicholas Sarkozy lets Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, take documents to Tbilisi to consolidate the cease-fire. The Russia didn’t go to the UN because they felt it is control by America, which is true. But by them yield to the France and EU President Nicholas Sarkozy their saying they accept them as the new voice of the world. Hollo are you guy really paying attention the world is walking away from us, and yes we have attack Iraq so keep it real.
Part of and Article from CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA, Associated Press Writer
In France, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice issued another urgent call on Russia to honor the cease-fire with Georgia as she was bringing the formal agreement to Tbilisi to have it signed Friday by the president of Georgia, a democratic former Soviet republic that is now strongly aligned with Washington.
French President Nicholas Sarkozy said the documents are "intended to consolidate the cease-fire."
The EU-sponsored accord had envisioned Russian and Georgian forces returning to their original positions.
Run silent, run deep. The less either canidate says the better. One of them will have the pleasant task of dealing with the Russians next year. The "eyes" have it.
Hi Jack,
Is this a trick question?
In a word, yes. But what I find amusing is that we aren't afraid to attack Iraq who couldn't defend herself againt the mighty USA, but we seem to be afraid to go to arms with Russia as an aponant.
Yes, he is hypocritical. I have heard people say that we would change our tune about war if there were a draft and our elected officials children were included in that draft, well, maybe that would a good place to start.
Jack –
Sucj hypocracy. What will McCain-Bush do? Invade Russia? We need a leader who knows how to avoid a war and take care of our "home front".
No, Senator McCain is not hypocritical on this issue. The two are not the same. The U.S. does not want to own Iraq. Russia does want to own part of Georgia...and that could be only the beginning. McCain does not suggest war – he suggests diplomatic solutions.
Scottsdale, AZ
Of course it's hypocritical. But money talks and his foreign policy adviser was a lobbyist for Georgia. He's putting his mouth where his money is.
We are the international policemen of the world. Remember Jack? We are the greatest and most innocent country in all the world. Therefore we get a free pass to do whatever the hell we want. It is our divine right in the name of manifest destiny, therefore John MacCain is not a hypocrite. Try saying that on the air with a straight face.
Maybe he doesn't "recall" voting for the invasion of Iraq.
Am I the only one that John McCain scares. The other day he sounded like he was ready to go with Russia, because Russia also attacked us, because they attack Georgia, because we're all Georgian at heart. What baloney. He's protecting his interest, not ours.
Gee...a large powerful nation invades a smaller weaker nation on the flimsiest of excuses, against the wishes of the national communitee, in order to accomplish regime change. Hmmm...sure sounds familiar to me. Let's be honest, while I don't condone the actions of the Russians, I don't think ANYONE who supported the invasion of Iraq has a leg to stand on. That goes from our Illustrious president right down the food chain. Like the old saying goes, Mr. Jack, if you live in a glass house, keep your stones in the garden.
I nearly choked on my dinner when I heard John McCain say “In the 21st century, nations don’t invade other nations.” when we did the very same thing in Iraq. Do we really have the right to complain when the Russians took a page out of Bush's playbook? While we had our sights on Iraq and Afghanistan, Russia was quietly building military and making their plans. We are in a precarious place because besides diplomacy, (or "appeasement" as Bush calls it) we aren't really able to do much of anything about it.
We – the supposed super-power – didn't even notice. Sure make me feel all fuzzy inside to know how our government is helping protect the world!
McCain has been talking through both sides of his mouth and for many years. The problem is, he's too old to remember what the other side of his mouth said last.
Hypocritical?? To say the least! For anyone to try and make the argument that they are different, you best remember the reason(s) for invading Iraq changed many times while none of it was actually true. All along, it was about oil and we still haven't actually left yet nor is it clear when we actually will.
I cringed when I heard that remark. Just the fact that it was said makes us look bad to the rest of the world. It was a real "jaw dropper".
Yes he is, but that does not mean he is wrong on this issue.
Thats a question too nuanced, for McCain to ponder.
Dont forget, he was 4th from the bottom in his Naval Acadamy Class
Mentor Ohio
certainly yes Jack, he is a hypocrite.
26 years of Washington politics, voting 95% of the time with Bush and letting Cheney at the helm of the SS Iraq Invasion are as good as teachers of hypocrisy as a person could get. It is only a matter of time before it rubs off, even if it is a pandering moment.
Yes, McCain is a HUGE hypocrite. He says he hates wars, but whenever a tense situation develops between the U.S. and another country, he is the first to saber rattle and suggest military intervention. His advocacy of the initial invasion of Iraq is one example and his tough talk about Iran and now Russia are others. McCain is a warmonger and this kind of belligerent attitude would be dangerous if he were elected president.
Where the hell is the UN and why aren"t they saying or doing anything? Georgia should be having a civil war. Russia's involvement is like us getting involved in Mexico's government. It's wrong. That said, McCain must have taken the hypocritic oath.
Yes, very hypocritical. He was also quite scary – his hair-trigger response is too reminiscent of GWB. He may have thought he was looking mighty presidential – I thought he looked unhinged. Yep, hypocritical, but I don't expect the media will make much of it – he's still getting special treatment. I wish they would scrutinize mccain as they have obama.
Jack,
is McCain hypocritical? Or is America hypocritical? Russia knows they have carte blanche to do whatever they want, based on the precedent we set by invading Iraq. Another outcome of Bush's brilliant foreign policy endeavors. There will be many more.
“In the 21st century, nations don’t invade other nations.”
Yes they do and will again and again, unless George W Bush and his administration are prosecuted for war crimes against humanity.
Your Republican Big Bully in Chief did the same in Iraq and set a precedent for other oil hungry Country to do the same because so far The US President continue to be unpunished.
It’s all part of the game Jack! Russia knows they will get away with invading Georgia just like we got away with Iraq. McCain knows that too, but why not use this as an opportunity to get some press coverage, look presidential and act tough. However, it makes you wonder – do we have two presidents.
Jack, let's ask this question a different way. "Who do you want sitting across the table from Putin, negotiating for Georgia's future: McCain or Obama? I can't stand the Republicans but there is no way I want the Rookie, Obama, going one on one with the Russians.
Jack – the Cold War is alive and well because of Putin, not John McCain. Johm McCain is wrong about IRAQ but right about Georgia. If people want to be free than you have to stand up.
McCain continues to show how hypocritical he is...from his two-sided views of invading another country, to his supposed desire to clean up financial scandals even though he was part of the Keating Five, McCain's actions belie his words...what a guy!!
McCain's point is correct, but for him to say it with a straight face is laughable. I don't know if he's a hypocrite or senile, but either way it doesn't speak well for him.
Of course he is and I'm glad someone in the media is finally pointing that out! In the 21st Century we don't invade other nations?" Clearly Senator McCain needs more nap time.
One Word: Yes
McCain has been hypocritical this entire campaign with issues like off-shore drilling. He accuses Obama of being inexperienced, while he's acting like he's inexperienced. Instead of trying to pull out of Iraq, he wanted to add more troops. So one can safely say that McCain is a hypocrite.
Henry
New York, NY
of course but thats nothing new. If i had a penny for every time a republican was being hypocritical, I would be as rich as John McCain's wife.
Im sure we will see a BUNCH of democrats ripping on McCain for that line, but Im pretty sure the russian invasion isnt to help, in fact the two nations military forces arent exactly sipping tea with eachother, even during the ceasefire.
Jack:
Your question has an easy answer. YES.
No, I do not think John McCain was being hypocritical by making that statement. America invaded Iraq to overthrow a dictator who was abusing his people and possibly linked to Al Qaeda; Russia invaded Georgia for much less nobler reasons.
Come on Jack, Apparently it's only a Sovereign nation when it's a neighboring nation!
McCain isn't the president YET. He should be careful about trying to speak as if what he thinks makes a difference. This is Bush's call.
Oh my, flippity-flop-flippity-flop-flippety-flop.
Jack, if you were Russia, would you like the idea of missle launch pads being set up on your borders (for example, Poland and the Czech Republic, former States of the Soviet Union) by the USA all in the name of "democracy"?
Yes, McCain's remarks were off the mark, he shot from the hip again, just as Obama Campaign's Ms. Rice stated some days ago. Perhaps McCain has forgotten that a G-8, NATO, WTO democracy Nation invaded Iraq illegally a few years ago.
Yes,
I can even argue that his vote and support for invading iraq is even worse.
Of course it is written all over his face. He doesn't seem to understand the similarities between the two.
The reason Russia is doing this is because bush told the world you are either with me or against me. So Russia says if you can invade a soveriegn country so can we. bush has broken more treatys then any head of state. So everyone get ready for Russia to do the same.
What in the world, Jack ? That is an extremely dumb question. The definition of a hypocrite is a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess. John McCain fits that perfectly, as you can see from his contradictments.
Jack,
No, John McCain is in no way being hypocritical. By asking if someone is being a hypocrit means you're making the assumption that they have a recollection of their own past actions which they're now countering. You can't blame somebody for growing old and having a foggy memory.
i think at this time mccain is correct.
does anybody remember that collin powell was for the
resalution for the war.
he also found out that all the sen. and congressmen were lied
to, including himself.
the shame is that powell said nothing and let bush be elected
for the second term.
who is worse?
m.cole
no
m.cole
northfield, il
Jack,
Yes...........John McCain is a HYPOCRITE...........................I approve this message!!!!!!!!
I am only 15 and I understand the difference between McCain voting to invade Iraq and Russia invading Georgia. Iraq was harbouring terrorists and a danger to the world. McCain was right to invade Iraq. Russian-Gerogian conflict is completly different.
Of course McCain is being hypocritical! "We can do it, but you can't." ?? You could see this justification for something similar coming down the road 5 years ago when Congress gave Bush the go-ahead and he ran with it. Because of our actions in Iraq, we haven't much standing against a charge of hypocrisy. McCain may be upset–who isn't–but who is he, now, to throw stones?
This attack on Georgia was a shot across the bow of the US–and a warning to former SSRs not to throw in with the West. This is between Russia and us. We will be dealing with this mess for at least one decade, and we must be very strong. Knee jerk reactions, which we have gotten used to seeing under Bush, just are not the adult way to go.
Not only is John McCain a hypocrit, he is acting like an idiot when his precious Republican party has made such a mess of our country that we are in no position to do anything to Russia. McCain thinks he can tell someone else not to smoke when he has a Cigarette hanging out of his mouth.....what a joke we have become in the eyes of the world.
John
Fowlerville, Michigan
Jack, he's a hypocrit and a blind opportunist. Thanks to Bush and Cheney's legacy, we have no moral ground to demand anything of our allies. McCain's staff, using propaganda guerilla-style, obviously hope we will forget that come November.
AND the Russians have a 100 year security plan for the region that they stole from John McCains website. the fools.
Yes, I was actually thinking the same thing as I told my children not to drink while I had a beer in my hand.
The difference is that the use of force against Iraq was authorized by the United Nations; Russia had no such mandate.
This is the essence of hypocrisy. McCain supported the full-scale invasion of a country on the other side of the world that had never attacked American soldiers, but now he is criticizing Russia for launching a limited invasion of a neighboring country that DID attack Russian troops....give me a break. Why does anyone take this guy seriously?
Well I can think of one difference John. The Russians were provoked, which is more justification than we had for invading Iraq.
Hypocrites-R-Us should be the slogan for our foreign policy. I don't understand why our leaders think it is a good idea to condemn Russia for its actions when we did the exact same thing just 5 years ago. If we seriously motion to impose lasting consequences on Russia for their invasion, should we also impose a few on ourselves for our own ?
When was John McCain anything but hyprocritical? We have no business in Iraq. Strange but the first reports I read on the Internet had Georgia as the aggressor of S.Ossetia. There are American mercenaries in Georgia. It breaks my heart to see the people hurt of either country including Iraq. Lets try for once to tell the truth from both sides.
the invasion of iraq was executed within the framework of a united nations mandate and the 2nd iraq war was after years of failed sanctions. what russia did was act in a unilateral fashion taking law into its own hands which is the fundamental difference in the two scenarios iraq/georgia
Jackyou are absolutely right on this issue, first i really dont suport what is currently going on between
Jack, he is hypocritical and I bet you Putin told Bush at the Olympics when Bush asked him why Russia was invading Georgia the followin" "Dubya, or whatever they call you back in the U.S., this is my territory, but out. I did not say much when you invaded Iraq under false pretenses". Yes, this administration and all the staunch supporters of the "Iraq invasion" lost ALL credibility in the world to say ANYTHING to ANY nation that invades another for NO APPARENT REASON.
Hypocritical?
That's an understatement, Jack...
I'll be honest...I think he's actually forgetting more than he used to...I think he's even forgotten we went into Iraq!
McCain's response: "Well Jack, I may have Alzheimer's, but at least I don't have Alzheimer's."
Additionally, I would like for all the OBAMA lovers to please answer the following questions:
1. What is Obama's stance on Stem Cell Research?
2. What is Obama's stance on the housing crisis?
3. What is Obama's stance on the energy crisis?
4. What is Obama's stance on foreign relations?
5. What is Obama's stance on the War on Terror?
If you think you know the answer think again! He's flip-flopped so many times on the issues at hand that I don't think he even knows where he stands.
Americans can rest easy at night knowing there won't be another 9/11 while OUR current President is on the watch. Rest assured!
McCain is a war dog, and dogs run in packs, and growl at other dogs and sniff each other's. . .
Pot. Kettle. Black
McCain sounds like he would live by a double standard....do as we say not as we do?
When you have power, you write and unwrite laws. What century is this?
John McCain intends to follow in George Bush's footsteps. And we all know what Bush has done for this country. Nothing.
At any rate, we will be out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Other countries will follow Russia, if USA is not stopping this.
I noticed that on the air you read 5 anti McCain comments and 1 pro McCain comment. Fair and balanced? I don't think so...
I just hope the Chicago Cubs can still play there game in Atlanta, Georgia tonight without any Russian interference.
Not only is it hypocritical, it continues to prove that we are NOT the world´s policeman, we are the world´s bully. We apply rules to others that we ourselves do not follow. So Saddam was a dictator, and Georgia a Republic? Is that the official wild card that gives us the right to invade? Give me a break! It is time for a president who actually practices DIPLOMACY instead of school yard strong arm tactics.
People need to focus on solutions not mud slinging. You hopefully spoke up when America decided to enforce the 14 UN resolutions that Iraq broke. Hopefully then you made comments about this action being not in your opinion a good one. But what UN resolutions did Georgia break? Why do they deserve to be abandoned? Is it more entertaining for you to take this "opportunity" to bash the candidate that you do not like?
McCain was hypocritical in his wording. Fine we all agree about semantics. Now what should be done about it all?
McCain hypocritical??
Not on your life my friend. You did not get your facts in order. The U.S. went into Iraq on a U.N. mandate which was voted on by Russia and China,they could have vetoed the mandate but chose not to ! The only mandate Russia had to go into Georgia was from Russia. Call this action what is…..a land grab!
Ante Puhalovich
Cumming, Ga.
McCain is just pushing the republican party line. He thinks
he's projecting strength when anyone with an intelligence knows he's
pandering to the ill informed and nationalistic viewpoint of middle America. Hypocrisy is the republicans middle name, but,
with the short attention span of most American voters they get away with it.
To All,
CORRECTIONS:
The U.N. NEVER approved the war in Iraq, Iraq was not harboring ANY terrorists, but the war made it a haven for them, and Mc Cain voted for the war knowing that it was illegal. Russia invaded Georgia simply because it could just like the U.S. did with Iraq.
Mc Cain is not only hypocritical but also the best failure the GOP has ever delivered to the world since George W. Bush.
God Save America!!!
The only aspect of McCain's position that isn't hypocritical is that both as to Iraq and the present crisis he takes the most belligerent position available, whether either of them makes any sense or not. It is exactly that kind of belligerence that starts world wars. He can be as big a hypocrite as he wants - let his people deride John Edwards while forgetting about McCain's own cheating some years back, I don't care - it is this world class chip on his shoulder that is the real problem. He scares the bejesus out of me.
Yes, he is. The Russians did what approximately was the first Gulf war.
By NO MEANS! Iraq had violated all UN sanctions! There where a long time negotiations period for Iraq to let UN inspectors in before the war! Iraq was ran by dictator!
Russians did not use any diplomacy and did not involve UN, they just invaded the country! Georgia has a democratically elected president and a democratic government! Abkhazia and Osetiya is still Georgia and is Georgian territory! Russians have no business there with their peace keeping!
Remember what Russia did to Chechens when they wanted to be independent from Russia?! THAT was a real genocide! And none of these nutless, gutless, boneless idiots (UN or Liberal US) did not say anything to Russia or took any action!
So take that all of you narrow minded liberal hatemongers!
Take that you degraded part of American nation!
This kind of blatant hypocrisy by John McCain and George Bush is nothing new. It is like pouring old wine in new bottle to drink and show the audience that they are up to something good without looking in their past activities. George Bushes' s unilateral invasion of Iraq in the false propaganda of WMD and Sen. McCain’s relentless support for it has been worse than Russian invasion of Georgia. The invasion of Iraq by George Bush, and supported by Sen. McClain, has already cost almost a trillion US $ and over 4,000 invaluable American lives. They should be ashamed of criticizing on same decision that they did 5 years ago.
It would be so mistake for America to elect Sen. McCain as the third George Bush term of political and economic disaster for the years to come to recover the damage.
My fellows Americans- please do not elect George Bush's third term again by electing Sen. McCain.
I hope you guys know that Clinton and Obama voted to invade Iraq along with McCain. And I don't think Russia's reasoning for invading Georgia is the same as ours in Iraq but I dare not discuss that with the blind ignorance of left-wing voters.
We aren't taking there land. We are rebuilding there ifrastrructure. For the good of tthe people. Russia is ivading to take over a country, big diference. How did a dope like yoy get a job like this?
Jack -
Look back over the "Newsbriefs" he gave for the American People – Pay particulary attention to his Body Language - Was it just me or did you happen to notice ---–
The way his hands clenched and unclenched –
His turning red face and back again into the sickly pallor of pure fury (or maybe his normal color [hard to tell])
The veins sticking out on his neck -
The Stiffness of the features –
The glazed over look in his eyes –
The touch of froth at the corners of his mouth -
I'm really surprised he didn't scream out "Bring It On" like his big brother McBush
I have a feeling that if he is elected he will go down in history as "America's War Lord" -
Has he said anything yet about bringing back the draft to provide enough cannon fodder????
You either live in this World! Or jump ship...
I'm still wondering why no one has called McCaine on his " We are all Georgians today", Is n't that what said by the Europeans after 9/11
" today we are all americans". The guy can't even come up with his own comment. He does not speak for me, they (Georgians) brought this on themselves. It's another mess left by the Bush administration. You cannot be offering NATO status and plan to set up missile defense systems to these former satellite countries and expect the Russians not to react. McBush supports the Bush policy that we are the only nation who reserves the right to steamroll a sovereign nation and occupy it, even after being asked to leave.
Art
"You are either with us or with the enemy" US 21st Century President.
"America will have to choose between us (Russia) and Georgia" Russian 21st Century President.
Pls fellows, who is fooling who?
Of course. I mean Iraq is far far away from US but Georgia is close to Russia and Georgian forces invaded south osestia. I would like to know what Mr. McCain would do if Mexico invaded Texas. And I think Russia wouldn't dare to criticise the US
Yeah they are the exact same thing, where does CNN get these idiots? Thats an arguement a 4 year old would make.
"My personal view is that there needs to be some consequences for the actions that Russia has taken against a sovereign state." Robert Gates
This entire administration is totally full of crap, not only McInsane! Condi annoys me the most, someone should stick an apple in her mouth.
What is the best solution for this?. Let us not comment on politicians.
Anyone saying this isn't any different from Iraq do not get their news from other sources besides their television or newspaper.
Georgia initiated this conflict by invading 2 territories. Georgia is another US puppet and that is why all we hear is the anti Russia rhetoric.
Look at the history of Georgia's leader before you say he is a good man.
McCain is not the only hypocrit, the US media and the CNN in particular is hyprocritical. They hardly talk about the Iraqi human toll and suffering since we invaded the sovereign nation of Iraq. America continues to build a "bunker" -The Green Zone in Baghdad while the average Iraqi lives in squarlor without electricity and protection. What a shame?
Jack I like the show and enjoy the freedom of speech we excercise. Keep it up. But Jack, I seem to remember the U.N. resolutions. Wake up folks... we didn't invade. We got other countries with us and we led the way. Always have, always will. What Russia is doing is invading. Big difference. Remember the No fly zone, and our planes being shot down? That's an act of War. Russia is sending a message to the world Jack- We're back....we should never trust the dictators there, ever. No such thing as a "former" KGB agent.
I have been observing Jack's questions to public. He has got a biased mind.
Can any one of you show me such a question targeting Obama ?
Iraq was ruled by a dictator, who were acting as if they have WMD. Such action triggered or raised eye brows of CIA & they gathered intelligence.
There is a difference between intelligence & fact.
e.g. The Chinese Women Gymanistic team –> Intelligence says they half of them were below 16, but you can't prove them.
One has to invade China & torture the family members to get the exact date.
Hope I made sense..
hes definitely a hypocrite. but what scares me the most, is that this man actually believes the words coming out of his mouth.
'Jack Cafferty'... A journalist of a Beaten-Country.... Nobody!!!
The war in Iraq undermined the US Constitution.
The UN does not have power over our Constitutional Law. We need to get back to sanity in this country.
WAKE UP!
Totally on target. Now with our invasion of Iraq, we have lost the moral credibility and military capacity (we are so stretched militarily) to address the situation in any effective way.
McCain is acting like a barking chihuahua, which makes me sick. Now he is pushing NATO to include Georgia. Nice - making permanent Bush's tax cuts to the rich while fighting more wars. I am sure with McCain in the White House we will soon be saying goodbye to the greatness of this nation.
I also wonder how American people feel if Putin pushes for a military alliance that includes several countries in our backyard, such as Venezuela, Cuba and a couple of left-leaning Central American nations.
Of course it is hypocritical that McCain would take an anti-Russian stance on this issue when he would be doing the same thing if he were a Russian government official. His support of Georgia is nothing more than an attempt to appear to be an advocate of democracy across the world. In reality, his words are just a sample of the American arrogance he will unleash onto the world if he is elected.
How many times has mccain goofed up... he is another george bush both in intelligence and and in policies....... ok if you go to you tube im sure there are plenty of compilations to explain his stupidity. I watched one the other day. People do get dumber with age. And the next Item up for bid is..............
John McCain is either pretending or deceiving himself–a common pitfall for the self-righteous. Of course countries have invaded other countries in this century (U.S. et al. into Iraq, U.S. et al. into Afghanistan; Israel into Lebanon), and now Russia into Georgia. It's like rewriting the rules of the game to suit yourself midgame. It is how McCain can be against torture in the military but okay with it being done by the U.S. for intelligence purposes. I doubt he would be okay with it if Russian intelligence were using torture against an American or the Georgians. He's for campaign finance reform, but won't lift his voice up to protest slime by well-funded 527's. Where is his alleged moral core?
By the way, if John McCain wants to claim to be a Georgian (i.e., a feeling of common purpose with them), he's entitled to do so. He does not have a right to speak for all Americans. How presumptuous. Presumably, Mr. Maverick doesn't even want other Republicans speaking for him (unless it suits his political purpose), let alone Democrats. If he is so much for "country first", maybe he should check with his country first!
This can be used as an example of hypocritical in the dictionary. As McCain said, "we all have respect for the sovereignty and independence of nations." I guess the respect does not extend to dictators or governments we do not like. Is there any wonder why other countries do not like or trust the US? The thought that they (Bush and McCain) may make us go into Iran scares the hell out of me.
McCain is exactly not the kind of President we need right now. We need someone that is willing to TALK with people before ACTING!!! If you feel Obama is not strong enough to deter someone from attacking our country, then you need to look at our US Military and our Nuclear Detterrent. No Country will come right at us. But, they will come after us if you piss off other leaders of countries, such as McCain. You can not preach to other sovereign powers how to run their affairs, after one of the worst political mistakes ever in Iraq. Russia is not invading another country, they are creating a buffer zone to protect their new citizens in breakaway provinces of Georgia. These countries want to be part of Russia, so let them be. McCain needs to watch his mouth and calm his tone, before he does start World War 3.
Many call this hypocritical. I can see their viewpoints.
However, Georgia is a US ally. We support our allies. That is why this is a no-brainer for McCain. Russia attacked an ally, and he is defending his Georgian ally.
That's it....
He has followed the Georgia situation going on a decade now. He understands what is going on over there far more than many Americans know.
"the invasion of iraq was executed within the framework of a united nations mandate and the 2nd iraq war was after years of failed sanctions. what russia did was act in a unilateral fashion taking law into its own hands which is the fundamental difference in the two scenarios iraq/georgia" .... based on fabricated evidence by a corrupt administration.
Also, try to understand the situation... Russia retaliated against Georgia after it had launched a large-scale attack on civilians living in the capitol of the contentious republic of South Osseatia. Sure, Russia was looking for an excuse, but reports are that the Georgian attack may have killed up to 2,000 civilians. So, was the Russian response beyound measure?
I live in Russia and I know the truth! It was a Georgian agression! It was Georgia who is the first started destroyed Southern Osetia! Its' soldiers destroyed everything, they killed everyone: oldmen, children, women with their babies! They blew up the houses, shot the people, burned them alive in their own houses! It was terrible!
We were watching TV all day long and were seeing everything. But I was shoked knowing how western press reacted. It was disinformation! Georgian made their own reports. They shot their OWN guns, bombing Osetia, and showed all the world that RUSSIA bombs Georgia!!!!!! Georgia showed you destroyed (by themselves!!!!!)houses in Osetia and declared that RUSSIA did this!!!! It was a lieing!!!! And the USA knew it!!!!
The USA, how dare you to do this? It was your goverment's plan! Saakashvilli wanted to join the EU and the USA supported him. The USA trained Georgians soldiers, supplied them with gun and regulated the conflict! It was the USA who wanted this war, the war with Russia! You are afraid of us, Bush is afraid of us! You want to enslave Russia but you'll never do this!
CNN, where is your objectivity, freedom of speech?! Why did your journalists not visit Southern Osetia??? Why did all western Mass media visited only "poor" Tbilisy??? You, journalists must be in the epicenter of war!!! But you were sitting in the USA and just watchining Saakashvilli's speech! You, journalists of a "great country" why did you not check all this information????Why you did not ask Osetians who began this war?!
Saakashvili betrayed his people! Georgian didn't want this war!!!
US need to quit being the police of the world and get this poor economy up and running before most of the poors in America want to declare state to state independence towards Canada!
John, just keep at it and you go down like a bomb in November. I would have still found no reason to vote for Obama, if John McCain did not help me with his incessant war mongering.
Is the son of georgia's president torturing and killing Georgian soccer players because they lost a match? is georgia harboring terrorists? or gasing their own people? come on now. Saddam had to go, but I do think the U.S. should have waited until more countries agreed.
That is stating the obvious when it comes to the question of war and John McCain. This is not to condone what Russia is doing. There is no just war – all wars are BAD.
All above, thank you for not running for political office. I'm sure you all remember watching the initial attack on Iraq ion '03 and saying " Wow, I can't wait until we beat these guys and annex Iraq so we have a nice place to vist." No, morons, different purpose all together. Russia invades with the intent of controlling the province; taking it away from Georgia ( who, may I add, are overly optimistic considering the state of Georgia is bigger than the country). The U.S. established a Democracy, like the one that gives you the "right" to talk down about the President. Idiots.
I'm sorry I got away from the question about
McCain being a hypocrit. Is the pope catholic? I can call him more than the word hypocrit.
DEAR OBAMA CAMPAIGN!
I AM LIVID! HOW CAN YOU ALLOW HILLARY CLINTON TO BE A NOMINEE AT THE CONVENTION? SHE AND HER CRONIES ARE TRYING TO THEIR BEST TO PULL THE RUG RIGHT OUT FROM UNDER YOU. CAN'T YOU SEE THIS? UNTIL NOW I HAD REAL HOPE THAT YOU WOULD BE THE NOMINEE/PRESIDENT.
I AM CRUSHED!
PAMELA, PREVIOUS STAUNCH SUPPORTER
FAIR OAKS, CALIFORNIA
CC: CNN/CAFFERTYFILE.COM
Pathetic Logic, Pathetic worldview Jack.
Moral Relativism of the worst and most dangerous sort. Invading a Sovereign Democracy to seize land/Oil and fost a Dictatorship is the same as following over 10 years of policy and taking out an Outlaw Regime and Dictatorship to foster Democracy and Justice.
absolutely shameful and illogical Jack!
If Georgia was commiting the crimes against their people that Saddam was commiting against his, then yes McCain would be wrong. However, we have nothing to back any claim like this. Georgia is a democraticly elected government and independant nation. Russia is wrong for their actions. LIke Saddam was wrong for invading Kuwait in 1990.
Is John McCain being hypocritical? To answer that question, we must first determine if he is even aware that there is a logical disconnect in his reasoning. Frankly, I'm beginning to wonder. Do we automatically have the right to replace any government that does not resemble our own. Is Communist China a democracy? And would McCain like to try invading them? Too bad. I used to like McCain, back when he was a maverick and an independent thinker. Now he's just pathetic.
You hit it on the head Jack! At this point we have no right to tell any country what to do.
He's selling fear and hate....thats all the repubbies have to hold on to
The fact is that now we have a made a mess in Iraq and we must stay or the middle east will become unstable. John McCain wasn't the only senator who voted to go to war. Lest everyone who has an opinion here forget, senators and representatives are meant to reflect their constituency. I can't help but wonder how many of the people posting were all for invading Iraq at the time, ignoring the LOUD cries that no WMD could possibly exist, and yet now call McCain a hypocrite.
The fact is, like most things this issue is not black and white. To really understand why look at what Russia is saying with their invasion and how they mean to exert power in the middle east by this action. In fact McCain has taken exactly the right action with Russia who have proven that only harsh talk and harsher threats have any affect.
I'm a liberal but I live in gray world where actions weigh more than a children's fairy tale notion of right or wrong. And sadly this incident has touched on one of the things that frightens me most about Senator Obama. He doesn't understand what's going on from a world perspective. He talks like the people here who have only a narrow understanding of world politics. It's all right if my neighbor doesn't understand how easy it is to destabilize the middle east but it's not all right in my president.
What Russia is striving for is their old cold war power and a foot hold in the Middle East. Unless someone slaps them down, they will go on in their quest. Is this right? Is it even our business to become involved? Who knows, but I'd like to hear one of the candidates at least acknowledge that they understand what is happening.
"No, because he voted to invade Iraq after they violated countless UN resolutions. Georgia didn’t violate any."
The murder of 10 peacekeepers with UN mandate and 1600 civilians over night isn't enough reason for you? Then u r bigger hypocrite then McC.
"Say what?” is absolutely correct. Can you believe his statement?! This must be one of the most hypocritical things this fool has said yet!
{^_^}
Yeah, how can a nation that invaded sovereign Germany until Hitler condemn a democratic nation being invaded?
Luckily we have non hypocrites like Obama who not only wants to leave the Hitlers in power but meet them face to face and ask them to speak at his church.
Yes. tell McWar he is not the president of the US.
Remember it was georgia that started the war hoping the will be there to help.
Yes and No.
Yes he's hypocritical for supporting the invasion of Iraq and condemning Russia for invading Georgia.
No, from the perspective that Iraq was ruled by a dictator oppressing his people and thumbed his nose at the UN in allowing weapon inspectors. US did not invade without address the UN and attempting to build a case (granted the intelligence was wrong).
That being said, I'd rather see the media clear up what Russia is calling genocide by the Georgia gov't as the premise for their invasion. Are those claims valid? If so, why didn't they call upon the UN to clear it up and build a case instead of invasion?
Not this time. There is nothing new in his book. It repeats some email smears and he claims Obama is that dirty word... a liberal. All the smears have been debunked countless times. There is no unanswered questions for the media to muse. The guy is simply lining his pockets off stupid republicans.
This is insane, is this official line supported by CNN or this people really don't understand who is the aggressor in this situation?
A point: 10 Russian peacekeepers and 1,400 civilians of Osetia were killed on Thursday night before Russian invasion to Georgia. None of the Americans were killed before the American invasion of Iraq.
Thank You Jack! I was beginning to think that Americans are stupid.
It's amazing to me that anyone would even consider voting for McCain!
John McCain is George W. Bush, only older and on the verge of losing his faculties.
Is he ready to lead? Yes...He's ready to lead the other residents at the nursing home, to the cafeteria for lunch!
...
While there are some similarities there are certainly stark differences. Georgia has not been in defiance of the U.N. for years on end, nor has Georgia been issued even so much as a warning or a resolution to repremand it for anything. Iraq on the other hand was warned more times than I can count, with multiple U.N. resolutions passed against them, however they continued their attitude of defiance, mocking the U.N. and it's strength of words but weakness of actions.
Come on Jack. It's not quite as similar as you are suggesting. Look farther than partisan opinions.
You Libs are unbelievable. Why don't you go be with the commies in Russia and Red China that way you can share all of your money with each other and have a big government! Have you not figured out that communism is not dead. Oh wait..you guys like the idea of that.
Bush and company get the credit for two projects.
1. Establish Al Qaida in Iraq
2. Set an Example to other countries that in 21 Century you can invade other countries.
As if the whole "celebrity" garbage coming out of McCain wasn't enough, then he has to mock Obama for acting like a president because of a speech in Berlin, THEN he pulls THIS? My favorite part of McCain's response is how he told the Georgian president that all Americans support him. Well guess what McCain, I can understand that YOU support a live-wire, over aggressive foreign president who incited Russia to attack, but I sure don't. McCain has hit a wall too many times in a row. I used to admire this man, and now I'm profoundly disappointed. He has turned into a cheap joke, and he is NO president. He should have stuck to singing... "bomb bomb iran..."
caferty:
the difference is – Iraq was a dictatorship (and a threat to the US and the Middle East, and to it's own people) unlike Georgia which is a democratic country. If you can't understand the difference you are losing it – time for retirement?
pres. Bush barely had any experience and look what he did with the country. do you really want Obama who also has barely any experience to run the country? yea change is needed, but certain changes could make things even worse.
Oh but if Saddam had been left in power and continued to de-stabilize the middle east or supported a terrorist attack against the US, you liberal morons would be screaming bloody murder that Bush didn't do something.... and oh by the way, more than likely, your elected officail that you voted for, also supported the War..., "oh but that was because Bush manufactured evidence of WMDs... whine, whine, cry..." You liberals are an embarrasment to this Country and I wish you would pack up and leave – go to Switzerland where you can be a lifelong neutral...
Of course McCain is a hypocrite. He's a politician isn't he? He's running for office, isn't he?
To all the Democrates we went to Iraq to fight terrorism. Russia invaded a country because they were a democracy.
I would also like to point out that Russia has invaded Afghanistan, Poland, basically all of Eastern Europe. In case the democrates and the far left have forgotten the USA is the last great hope for the world and we should oppse this move by Russia.
Democrates are so weak on defense.
And thank you to Jack for at least bringing this up, we need more balanced coverage of world evens like this.
Why is no one at CNN reporting McCain's lobbyist ties to the Georgian government? Once again, real news is right in front of you, but you choose to ignore it. Jack, you're the only political reporter with any moxie in that "newsroom" of yours...please report on this. You're doing an injustice to the 4th Estate by sitting on this.
What he meant to say was “In the 21st century, nations don’t invade other nations” that attack them they should only invade irrelevant countries. Instead of taking the full fight to Afgan, which attacked us, we chose to invade a soverign nation of Iraq. That's like attacking China in WWII when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.
BTW, Senator we Americans are not all Georgians. In fact not all Georgians consider themselves as Georgians; that is the reason Georgia killed 1400 in South Ossetia that want independence.
I smile! When I see John McCain... I have an empty feeling, with any other choice.. I happen to have a 'Big-Stake', in North America....
My Grand-kids too..
This guy just woke up a couple a days ago and realized that we were in the 21st century. Can someone tells him that we have been in the 21st century for 8 years and in a sovereign nation of Iraq for 5 years
Thanks Zac – you have more understanding and thinking ability than most of the adults here! Luckily the hippie generation is on it's way out.
I don't think it is hypocritical as they are different situations.
I do think it is unfortunate that in this day of political correctness, so many commenters still think blatant ageism is acceptable.
The difference is that we do not now own the Iraq fields and thanks to Bush's calling Russia's bluff, they do not now own the Georgians oil pipelines. The Iraq was has been a long one and we forget how the world was the months before we went in but this is a reminder and we need to listen up because there is a lot of evel out in this world and we have to fight for what is wright. McCain is a fighter who knows how many states he is fighting for! Obama said it "I will be in all 57 states" and it just slipped out... "all 57 islamic states"... read between the lines. McCain will fight for our values not try to "change" our values so we can all just get along like Iran...
WOW!!! i read this and bust out laughing if the americans elect Mccain youve all got issues hes obviously senial and completely clueless. But when 300 million fools elect 1 fool to rule them this is what you get... a bunch of fools following the 1 right off the cliffside into oblivion. McCain was a prisoner of war of what 8 years? THis doesnt make hima hero this makes him a very dangerous person with a warped mindset whether you wanna admit that or not. He will be worse then bush hell make bush look like a saint. God help us all if McCain wins in november peace out!
Mr Cafferty: I think your comments were quite leading and I suspect the reactions to Mr McCain's statement will be colored by your own reaction. That is too bad because it might have been an interesting question if peoples' reactions had not been jaded by your own initially.
When it comes to Iraq and to the Georgia/Russia conflict, I suspect most of us really don't know all that went on and is going on, rendering any opinion on what is right or wrong likely to be ill informed and self serving.
Of course he is! Russia had a good reason to attack Georgia, we didn't in regards to Iraq. If Russia is being punished for self defense, shouldn't be be condemned for an illegal invasion of Iraq?
Yes,
What goes around... Comes around...
We reap what we sow....
Whats good for the goose is good for the gander...
I guess the Russians forgot that G.W. Bush is the "DECIDER" 😛
To compare the two invasions is ludicrous. The Russians want to annex parts of a sovereign nation, while the US-led coalition targeted the removal of an outlaw regime, who violated the 1992 ceasefire and technically provoked war in the first place. The Georgians also provoked, but the response, annexation and obliteration of an authentic pro-western democratically elected country, is out of proportion and technically is an international crime.
To not see the difference is a great example of our broken education system: it produces people who cannot think in nuance, analyze and compare two different things, etc.
People are too deluded with their esoteric self-righteous political ideologies to separate OPINION from FACT. The question isn't whether you agree with Iraq, etc. etc., the question asks you to see any similarities/differences between the two events.
Boy Jack there is no question on who you are voting for!
McCain and his Forgin policy adviser are responsible for this whole conflict. Why did he get paid 800K from Georgia? Why do the bombs say USA on them?
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...
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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?
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.
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?