Why Not Ossetian Independence?

I had hopes that when Communism ended in the U.S.S.R. things would change significantly in Russia. Apparently they have not.

Interesting article. I wonder how it is that the author knew that Russia was going to attack. When you base your thinking on flawed assumptions, you quite often come up with flawed conclusions. Seems that a lot of people don't see the Russians as people, just some sort of monsters who are driven to conquer the world. I wonder why we're so concerned about Georgia, but didn't give a rat's ass about Chechnya. Could it be the pipelines that run through Georgia? The U.S. is out there invading other countries, and we're not surrounded by countries that are hostile to us. Why can't we use the same standards to judge Russia that we use to justify our own actions?

I'm not saying that Russia is all sweetness and light, but I'm baffled about the knee jerk reactions in this situation.

Interesting article. I wonder how it is that the author knew that Russia was going to attack.

I could've told you that. Does that make me part of some conspiracy? LOL. Intelligent people who know their history can often predict the patterns of simple-minded thugs like Putin. He already picked on Estonia, has threatened all three Baltic countries, used energy extortion against Ukraine, shut down Russia's free press, rigged the presidential elections... What else would you expect from an ex-KGB goon like Putin?

Seems that a lot of people don't see the Russians as people, just some sort of monsters who are driven to conquer the world. I wonder why we're so concerned about Georgia, but didn't give a rat's ass about Chechnya.

Speak for yourself. I've spent a whole lot of time in Russia. I celebrated the fall of communism for the sake of Russians, many of whom bravely opposed tyranny, like Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Natan Sharansky, and Vladimir Bukovsky. But I was afraid of a return to authoritarianism because Russian history is way-low on experiments in democracy, unlike Eastern Europe. It's called "knowing your history."

I haven't and will not forget Russia's atrocities in Chechnya.

Why assume I supported the Iraq invasion? I didn't but now hope we can make the best of it. Does that mean I can't hold Russia to account for its bullying?

There's nothing "knee-jerk" about making sure that Russia doesn't go on another rampage against her neighbors, killing millions, like the czars and Soviets. In fact, Russia's historical pattern of picking on its smaller neighbors should make people more wary of her future actions.

You might want to read Vladimir Bukovsky's Soviet Hypocrisy and Western Gullibility and To Choose Freedom.