Putin's Russia must be stopped.

Putin is a Stalinist to the core!

Russia, which has close ties to the province and posts peacekeepers there, responded by sending in armed convoys and military combat aircraft.

There's the spin.

Links to the latest news from Georgia.

[Link: www.aboutgeorgia.net...]

re: #3 FrogMarch

There's the spin.

They also helped Azerbaijan complete a railway.

just in time for the olympics..
how nice of putin..

When was BHO's trip to Hawaii scheduled?

Apartment buildings bombed. Women and children killed. Where is the world press? Where is the outrage?

Has Soviet Russian television shown images of happy workers, peasants, and children showering the Soviet Russian with flowers yet?

Sky news coverage.

[Link: news.sky.com...]

Sounds like the old military adage "Kill them all and let God sort it out".

also [Link: www.transatlanticpolitics.com...]

Sister Rice.

"We call on Russia to cease attacks on Georgia by aircraft and missiles, respect Georgia's territorial integrity and withdraw its ground combat forces from Georgian soil."

America would never attack the territorial integrity of another small country?!?

/sorry boys and girls but the cat is out of the frigging bag.

The Russian military has laid waste to the provincial capital of South Ossetia, Tskhinvali

It's actually the Georgians who attacked Tskinvali. The population there is sympathetic to the Russians.

The Russians are attacking Gori and other towns inside Georgie, and they sent troops in to Tskhinvali to drive the Georgians out and help the Ossetian rebels.

I really believe we will be meeting up with Russia one day, and I don't mean socially. I expect a military show down. What scares me most is who will be at the "helm" here as POTUS? If it's the Messiah, we might want to start learning that second language he has told us to do. Not Spanish of course, but Russian!

re: #7 MandyManners

When was BHO's trip to Hawaii scheduled?

I thought he was having a rally today in Hawaii mandy..
I'll check..

This looks really bad and it could get a lot worse.

Russia blames us.

Georgia has 2000 troops in Iraq. Are we gonna help them?

I doubt they sent hundreds of tanks. Hundreds of vehicles, couple dozen tanks, the rest miscellaneous armor and transport. How many tanks does Georgia have, likely zero?

" Russia, which has granted citizenship to most of the region's residents, appeared to lay much of the responsibility for ending the fighting on Washington."
This is outright blackmail on Putin's part. He's telling the U.S. and NATO to get out of his back yard or he'll keep bombing.

re: #8 ROP?LOL

Apartment buildings bombed. Women and children killed. Where is the world press? Where is the outrage?

The Spirit of Munich prevails.

re: #16 HoosierHoops

I thought he was having a rally today in Hawaii mandy..
I'll check..

But, when was it scheduled?

I'm revising my opinion on this. Russia means to reabsorb Georgia and there's nothing anyone can do about it.

re: #13 ibmkeyboard
Ah, so we should've left the Taliban and Saddam alone?!

re: #20 itellu3times

I doubt they sent hundreds of tanks. Hundreds of vehicles, couple dozen tanks, the rest miscellaneous armor and transport. How many tanks does Georgia have, likely zero?

Russia's the one that sent in the tanks.

re: #19 pingjockey

Georgia has 2000 troops in Iraq. Are we gonna help them?

Georgia has called the troops home, and the US has offered them transport.

With an extra baggage allowance, if you get my meaning, if you catch my drift.

re: #24 Quilly Mammoth

I'm revising my opinion on this. Russia means to reabsorb Georgia and there's nothing anyone can do about it.

It's all about Russian colonialism and oil.

re: #18 MandyManners

Russia blames us.

[Link: www.liveleak.com...]

The Soviet Russian state can do the Monica on me.

Russia's foreign minister said that Georgia brought the airstrikes upon itself by bombing civilians and Russian peacekeepers, and warned that the small Caucasus country should expect more attacks.

"Whatever side is used to bomb civilians and the positions of peacekeepers, this side is not safe and they should know this," Lavrov said
from article, yet Israel isn't allowed same defense as they claim.

Fuck Russia!

re: #20 itellu3times

Georgia has more than 100 tanks, but Russia has more than 20,000.
The exact figures are at the Telegraph (UK) somewhere in a related story.

re: #15 nigella
agree, cannot imagine Obama defending us.

re: #28 MandyManners
I think Putin has visions of reassembling the Russian Empire, with himself as Czar. No communists, just a good old fashioned dictatorship.

I wonder if we will start finding "revenge" diaries on captured Russian soldiers soon? If so we are in for a terrible ride.

It was done on behalf of the common good!

post 30 (mine) was irrelevant to this discussion, sorry bout that.

re: #26 MandyManners

I understand that, but there's really nothing for that many Russian tanks to *do*, and they are big, heavy, nasty, expensive things to lug around.

Unless they're going to send an armored column 100 miles to the Georgian capital Tbilisi, like Hungary 1956, lite.

re: #25 pingjockey

Ah, so we should've left the Taliban and Saddam alone?!

NO
but how the hell are you supposed to tell another country not to attack someone else when you did the same thing?

Eh

re: #23 MandyManners

But, when was it scheduled?

looks like yesterday..todays paper reported it..
HONOLULU - Hawaii-born presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama hailed the aloha spirit and diversity of his native state, telling several thousand cheering supporters the nation as a whole is hungry for it.

Obama, who was born and raised in Honolulu, said yesterday at a rally that the aloha spirit meant helping those in need, taking care of one’s elders and treating people with respect. He said it also meant working with people of different backgrounds, whether they are black, white, Japanese-American, Filipino-American or any ethnicity.

Looking more and more like the Cold War is on again.

All the more reason to keep BHO from the WH.

re: #5 MandyManners

They also helped Azerbaijan complete a railway.

Before they bombed it?

From my No. 4, a look at the headlines.

Georgia Says Destroyed 40 Russian Tanks
Civil Georgia, Georgia - 32 minutes ago
The Georgian forces have destroyed 40 Russian tanks as they tried to attack the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali from the north, the Georgian Interior ...
Upper Kodori Attacked
Civil Georgia, Georgia - 44 minutes ago
Abkhaz armed forces launched an operation to drive Georgian forces out of the upper Kodori Gorge, Reuters reported quoting Sergey Shamba, ...
Russia Confirms its Two Jets Downed
Civil Georgia, Georgia - 5 hours ago
Russian Ministry of Defense said that two of its warplanes – SU-25 and TU-22 – were downed over the South Ossetian conflict zone, the Russian media sources ...
Scores of Civilians Dead in Gori Bombing - Reports
Civil Georgia, Georgia - 5 hours ago
Scores of civilians are reported to be killed after the Russian warplanes bombed town of Gori close to breakaway South Ossetia this morning. ...
Georgia Controls Tskhinvali - Saakashvili Claims
Civil Georgia, Georgia - 5 hours ago
Up to 30 Georgians, mainly servicemen were killed, as a result of heavy fights and air strikes carried out by the Russia warplanes on August 8, ...
Strategic Targets Bombed Across Georgia
Civil Georgia, Georgia - 12 hours ago
Russian aircraft dropped bombs in number of strategic places across Georgia late on August 8, including military base in Senaki and port of Poti, ...
Russian Troops Intervened in S.Ossetia - Russia Official
Civil Georgia, Georgia - 12 hours ago
Units of the Russian 58th Army were deployed in outskirts of Tskhinvali “to suppress” the Georgian forces’ firing positions, an aide to commander of the ...
Medvedev: Russia will Protect its Citizens in S.Ossetia
Daily Georgian Times, Georgia - 21 hours ago
Russia will protect its citizens wherever they are and punish the perpetrators, President Medvedev said on August 8, while commenting on the situation in

[Link: www.aboutgeorgia.net...]

re: #19 pingjockey

Georgia has 2000 troops in Iraq. Are we gonna help them?

The fact that the Russian state retains and has worked to replace components of the old nuclear arsenal of the Soviet Union severely limits the options of any nation that wants to intervene on behalf of the Georgians. Some of those missiles still work.

And Putin said Bush was evil for invading Iraq. Medvedev is being portrayed as a hero for invading Georgia. Interesting.

Mandy, if I'm not wrong, didn't he pretty set himself up as ruler for life? Has a puppet leader to cover for him?

Abkhazia also taking advantage to open a second front.

The MSM has not exactly been overboard about this story.

Last night on TV every "news" program was dwelling in the Edwards affair. Even the Olympics have been overshadowed by the Edwards story.

re: #34 pingjockey

I think Putin has visions of reassembling the Russian Empire, with himself as Czar. No communists, just a good old fashioned dictatorship.

You can take the boy out of the KGB but, you can't take the KGB out of the boy.

re: #47 Occasional Reader

Abkhazia also taking advantage to open a second front.

Yep.

re: #20 itellu3times

I doubt they sent hundreds of tanks. Hundreds of vehicles, couple dozen tanks, the rest miscellaneous armor and transport. How many tanks does Georgia have, likely zero?

200 according to Wikipedia. I looked it up last night.

Can we talk about this?

Does anyone know if Georgia has any of the left-over nukes from the USSR days ?

re: #53 E.T.

Does anyone know if Georgia has any of the left-over nukes from the USSR days ?

don't go there...

re: #28 MandyManners

It's all about Russian colonialism and oil.

And where are the moonbat protesters?

re: #39 ibmkeyboard
I see. I didn't know Georgia was putting people into shredders, flying planes into buildings and invading its neighbors. Glad you cleared that up.

re: #53 E.T.

Does anyone know if Georgia has any of the left-over nukes from the USSR days ?

Welcome to a whole new ball game if they do.

PIMF pretty much.

Does anyone know what the Black Sea fleet is doing?

re: #38 itellu3times

I understand that, but there's really nothing for that many Russian tanks to *do*, and they are big, heavy, nasty, expensive things to lug around.

Unless they're going to send an armored column 100 miles to the Georgian capital Tbilisi, like Hungary 1956, lite.

It is a hilly country, with the Caucasus Mountains to the north.

re: #56 pingjockey

I see. I didn't know Georgia was putting people into shredders, flying planes into buildings and invading its neighbors. Glad you cleared that up.

Stalin killed 50 million Russians

When did we invade Russia

smart ass.

re: #42 FrogMarch

Before they bombed it?

I don't see where Russia has bombed the Azerbaijan rail system.

re: #45 Wyatt Earp

And Putin said Bush was evil for invading Iraq. Medvedev is being portrayed as a hero for invading Georgia. Interesting.

The only reason, factual reason, that Putin was upset with GWB about Iraq, is that it interfered greatly in the billions that Putin was scamming from the "Oil For Food" scam.

re: #53 E.T.

Does anyone know if Georgia has any of the left-over nukes from the USSR days ?

I believe all the ex USSR nuke were consolidated in Russia.

re: #52 akak some tea, arugula and some hope might change this.

From the Telegraph:
Georgia v Russia: By numbers
(Georgia is the smaller number in each category)

Population
4.6 million
140 million
Army
18,000
400,000
Tanks
128
23,000
Fighter jets
9
1,736

[Link: www.telegraph.co.uk...]

re: #61 ibmkeyboard
Why, thank you.

re: #18 MandyManners

I think that one describes the situation pretty damn well.

re: #64 Occasional Reader

I believe all the ex USSR nuke were consolidated in Russia.

That's my recollections, when the Russians pulled out they took the nucs with them.

Well, you all are going to hate this, but some years ago in this country some of it tried to form into a separate country. I'm pretty sure the Great Emancipator kicked the living shit out of them.

re: #59 dmandman
Rusting at the pier.

re: #41 jcm

Looking more and more like the Cold War is on again.

It never stopped.

We were just fooled into a false sense of security. Khrushchev might have been correct with his "We will crush you" quote. The communist just needed to try a better tactic.
"Communism is enslavement by force.
Socialism is enslavement by vote."

re: #71 pingjockey

Just afraid they were deployed and approaching the straights.

re: #72 DoubleU

It never stopped.

We were just fooled into a false sense of security. Khrushchev might have been correct with his "We will crush you" quote. The communist just needed to try a better tactic.
"Communism is enslavement by force.
Socialism is enslavement by vote."

Democracy is enslavement by taxation.

Ralph Peters has a good piece about this situation in the NY Post today. He said the Russians may not realize how difficult this war against the Georgians might be.

re: #53 E.T.

Does anyone know if Georgia has any of the left-over nukes from the USSR days ?

No. All former Soviet nukes were returned to the Russian state.

re: #67 pingjockey

Why, thank you.

50 million people died under Stalins rule

3 American presidents and
America did jack shit.

don't teach me history lessons.

/its a whole new ball game now.

re: #70 kansas
But the US was not an empire held together by fear. It also doesn't cover half a continent and 12 time zones and 100 languages.

I don't pretend to know the dynamics of the situation in this part of "Asia". But don't the Ossetians prefer Russia to Georgia. Or if nothing else desire an independent state? I thought the Ossetia region was at war with Georgia for many years before breaking away in '91/'92 to form their own state and identity. Most of them hold Russian citizenship. Obviously, if Texans decided to break away from the USA, we might convince them through various means (how's that for doublespeak), not to secede. But I don't think this is as cut and dry as we might think. Russia is again the rising, if doddering, bear. But this seems more complex than us vs. them.

did we ever put defense, or patriots into Georgia? i know it was under argument

Azerbaijan? I meant Abkhazia.

[Link: news.yahoo.com...]

re: #74 kansas

Democracy is when man takes advantage of man, with communism it is the other way around.

re: #59 dmandman

Does anyone know what the Black Sea fleet is doing?

How much of it is left?

re: #74 kansas

Democracy is enslavement by taxation.

Which is why we need to restore the Representative Republic.

re: #78 pingjockey

But the US was not an empire held together by fear. It also doesn't cover half a continent and 12 time zones and 100 languages.

Obviously it was held to together by force. I'm pretty sure while Sherman was looting and pillaging there was a little fear.

re: #40 HoosierHoops

"taking care of one’s elders and treating people with respect."

...except your typical white grannie under the bus.

re: #59 dmandman

Does anyone know what the Black Sea fleet is doing?

Good question.

If it wasn't rusting away at the dock it would be parked off the Georgian coast blocking all maritime traffic. They would presumably have orders to prosecute to kill any Georgian naval unit that came out to challenge them.

re: #77 ibmkeyboard
We also didn't inade China, Cuba, finish off N. Korea, or E. Germany, or Libya, Nicauragua.

The left's response: But.. but.. but.. - The US invaded Iraq. (because they are the most predictably boring historically blind)
in
3...2...1

As for the MSM news repeatedly calling Georgia a "former Soviet republic", I would ask them to look a little deeper in the history books: It was a "former independent monarchy" for over a thousand years before the the Soviets ruled diddly squat. It existed as a Christian monarchy hundreds of years before there was a Moscow or a Kievian Rus. It existed when France wasn't French and the British weren't Angles. It used to be an ally of the Roman Empire.

This is payback for Kosovo.
Georgias's president can't survive.
Putin will install a supporter

re: #61 ibmkeyboard

Stalin killed 50 million Russians

When did we invade Russia

smart ass.

And Stalin did it the old fashioned way, he shot them, starved them, and worked them to death.

re: #75 _RememberTonyC

Ralph Peters has a good piece about this situation in the NY Post today. He said the Russians may not realize how difficult this war against the Georgians might be.

I dated a Georgian paratrooper in Denver for a while. Tougher than nails.

re: #86 lori lane

...except your typical white grannie under the bus.

LOL
so true Lori..how are you today?

re: #79 Eric Cartman's Conscience

I don't pretend to know the dynamics of the situation in this part of "Asia". But don't the Ossetians prefer Russia to Georgia. Or if nothing else desire an independent state? I thought the Ossetia region was at war with Georgia for many years before breaking away in '91/'92 to form their own state and identity. Most of them hold Russian citizenship. Obviously, if Texans decided to break away from the USA, we might convince them through various means (how's that for doublespeak), not to secede. But I don't think this is as cut and dry as we might think. Russia is again the rising, if doddering, bear. But this seems more complex than us vs. them.

That may be true. If so, why doesn't Russia let Chechnya establish its own nation?

re: #87 The Other Les
I don't really know how good Russias' Black Sea fleet is. After the Sovs went down the crapper their whole military just rusted in place. That said I doubt Georgia has much of a navy at all.

re #75 (from the Ralph peters article I mentioned):

This is a fight between a very small David and a very large Goliath. That said, the Russians may be surprised at how fiercely the Georgians defend their homeland. At least two, and possibly four, Russian jets have been shot down while attacking Georgian bases close to the capital city, Tbilisi.

As of last night, the Georgians had retaken Tskhinvali, South Ossetia's capital. I'd bet American veterans helped Georgia with contingency planning for just such a situation (it worked in Bosnia).

Meanwhile, hundreds of civilians and dozens of militiamen, Kremlin-funded mercenaries and Russian "peacekeepers" have been killed, along with tens of Georgian troops. This fighting is serious. And, unless Moscow pulls out all the stops, its forces just might take a surprise beating.

re: #86 lori lane
and his campaign tossing out "mccain is to old and infirm to be Potus/

I really hope they don't try to send in the UN to sort this out.

re: #91 Glackinspeil

This is payback for Kosovo.
Georgias's president can't survive.
Putin will install a supporter

Georgia will stay more or less independent but without those break away minority republics that want to secede and also much more deferential to Moscow.

re: #86 lori lane

...except your typical white grannie under the bus.

Or the 500 and some unit "low income housing" project that Obama singlehandidly created near Chicago using Federal and State tax dollars, which is now, basicly, uninhabitable.

Trashed beyond repair.

Leftists can only be judged by their "intentions", never their actions, or outcomes.

Obama is the true defenition of, empty suit.

This conflict gives me chills. The utter lack of discretion in the fighting seems so bizarre but it goes to show once again that only the US and a handful of Western allies give a rats behind about honor.

And no, I'm not talking about the egregious rules of engagement our troops suffer under. I'm talking about our military's basic humanity and care for others.

Perhaps congress should be forced to watch the atrocities that occur when Russia puts on a war. Maybe they'd let up a little on our heroes.

Nah. I don't really think that would happen.

The Prez of Gergia on CNN now!

re: #101 republic

As the South Park quote says: "The ends justify the means" (My Future Self 'n' me)

Tanks are too vulnerable now to truck, copter, even shoulder-launced missiles. Thought I saw a video of Russian tank, looked to be drapped with reactive armor, but even so. Well, if all reports keep saying tanks, maybe they're tanks.

re: #93 MandyManners

I dated a Georgian paratrooper in Denver for a while. Tougher than nails.

I dated a farm girl from Wisconsin years go. Tougher than nails.

:)

re: #90 David IV of Georgia

As for the MSM news repeatedly calling Georgia a "former Soviet republic", I would ask them to look a little deeper in the history books: It was a "former independent monarchy" for over a thousand years before the the Soviets ruled diddly squat. It existed as a Christian monarchy hundreds of years before there was a Moscow or a Kievian Rus. It existed when France wasn't French and the British weren't Angles. It used to be an ally of the Roman Empire.

More on their history.

[Link: www.aboutgeorgia.net...]

Asshole on cnn interrupting the prez with soviet talking points.

re: #94 HoosierHoops

hi {HH}. doing great. watched most of the Womens' Volleyball. but stepped away from the tv and have no idea of the final outcome. do you know? how are things going poolside?

I am now watching womens weight lifting. For some reason it just doesn't appeal to me as much as women's gymnastics. I guess that makes me a sexist bastard?

re: #102 kynna

This conflict gives me chills. The utter lack of discretion in the fighting seems so bizarre but it goes to show once again that only the US and a handful of Western allies give a rats behind about honor.

And no, I'm not talking about the egregious rules of engagement our troops suffer under. I'm talking about our military's basic humanity and care for others.

Perhaps congress should be forced to watch the atrocities that occur when Russia puts on a war. Maybe they'd let up a little on our heroes.

Nah. I don't really think that would happen.

Russia/communism are the "heroes" of much of Congress.

re: #90 David IV of Georgia

As for the MSM news repeatedly calling Georgia a "former Soviet republic", I would ask them to look a little deeper in the history books: It was a "former independent monarchy" for over a thousand years before the the Soviets ruled diddly squat. It existed as a Christian monarchy hundreds of years before there was a Moscow or a Kievian Rus. It existed when France wasn't French and the British weren't Angles. It used to be an ally of the Roman Empire.

Asking the MSM to look a little deeper is like asking for a pig to fly.

re: #38 itellu3times

I understand that, but there's really nothing for that many Russian tanks to *do*, and they are big, heavy, nasty, expensive things to lug around.

Unless they're going to send an armored column 100 miles to the Georgian capital Tbilisi, like Hungary 1956, lite.

The pictures shown on the bbc last night were actually self propelled howitzers and scout vehicles. SO probably an infantry regiment. I didn't see a single T72 or T90. IIRC Russia only has 1200 T90 in inventory. Georgia isn;t reall good tank terrain and it _very good_ anti-tank terrain. Which leads to an invasion from Abhakzi. Which I beleeive will happen shortly since it appears that they are acting up today.

re: #103 pingjockey

The Prez of Gergia on CNN now!

re: #105 itellu3times

The liveleak video I saw said tanks, but they looked more like troop carriers and mobile artillery than tanks to me.

re: #108 pingjockey

Asshole on cnn interrupting the prez with soviet talking points.

Asshole on CNN....
redundant phraseology.

re: #100 Nevergiveup

Agreed, but I don't think GA's pres. can survive national humiliation.

sheesh they are blam8ing the georgians

re: #108 pingjockey

Asshole on cnn interrupting the prez with soviet talking points.

Good grief. I'm watching this shit. Unfuckingbelievable.

fuck cnn

re: #116 jcm
Well, if the fhoe shits!

If the Israeli Government had any sense at all, it would take the opportunity to enter Gaza and match the Russians in the number of dead Hamas.

re: #115 BlueCanuck

The liveleak video I saw said tanks, but they looked more like troop carriers and mobile artillery than tanks to me.

The msm doesn't know the difference between a tank and a H3 Hummer.

WTF?
Someone please tell me what is going on..... is Russia pulling a Czech thing, or is the Georgian president lying?
Sounds a lot like what we used to read in history classes started a world war.

re: #114 MandyManners

The asshole on CNN just accused the Georgia President of shooting down Soviet planes as if that is wrong when they are bombing your country?

Saakashvili seems to be standing up pretty well to Putin's mouth on CNN.

Who is that fuckhead on CNN?

#95 et al;

I'm no sympathizer for Russia. But Georgia and Russia have been running smack back and forth for a few years now. I just hope Georgia can back up her smack. Unfortunately, if a few Russian jets can indiscriminately bomb three of your air bases perhaps one should temper ones smack. News reports claim Georgia moved on Ossetia first. If true, they should have expected and been prepared for a Russian response. The head of Georgia made a campaign promise to reclaim Ossetia and seemed to choose the Olympic games, with Putin out of town, for his opening gambit. But, man, Russians dominate at chess. This seems a folly brought on by the Georgians at a time we need no folly.

As for the left's response - they are so f*cked up in the head that not only with they immediately utter "Iraq", but they'll now "question the timing" of Georgia's move. They'll somehow insist, Georgia, as our ally, made this move to destabilize a region and help McCain. They'll probably go so far as to think Putin was in on it.

re: #125 Nevergiveup

The asshole on CNN just accused the Georgia President of shooting down Soviet planes as if that is wrong when they are bombing your country?

YOU SUCK, CNN.

re: #115 BlueCanuck

The liveleak video I saw said tanks, but they looked more like troop carriers and mobile artillery than tanks to me.

Russian doctrine is artillery heavy, bludgeon your opponent.

Dammit, the prez should let Fox get an interview on the air.....

re: #88 pingjockey

We also didn't invade China, Cuba, finish off N. Korea, or E. Germany, or Libya, Nicaragua.

I agree.

but we cant tell another nation they cant attack if they feel threatened.

I don't like the damn Russians. their weapons killed friends of mine.

but they invaded Afghan territory,
let them get their asses kicked again.

re: #127 MandyManners
He's got Putins talking points down pat.

Bush saw this coming. When Georgia was denied NATO membership at the last summit, there was an obvious window opened for Russian action.
[Link: findarticles.com...]

re: #127 MandyManners

Who is that fuckhead on CNN?

Obvioulsy an Obama think a like!

re: #127 MandyManners

it's maddening!

re: #121 pingjockey

Well, if the fhoe shits!

LOL!

How's things on the dry side.
Bit damp on this side.

re: #125 Nevergiveup

The asshole on CNN just accused the Georgia President of shooting down Soviet planes as if that is wrong when they are bombing your country?

The left loves communism, which is why 99% of the msm is already leftist state run media.

re: #102 kynna

That's why I made the comment about "revenge" diaries earlier. Look up how Stalin got his troops revved up during WWII against the Germans. A political officer monitored those (mandatory) entries to insure the troops were sufficiently motivated for revenge. If an entry was deemed too mild it was noted and commented upon (implication of better use in Penal Battalion perhaps?). The troops knew they had to deliver on the "Revenge" also which contributed to the rape statistics that were later compiled against the German women.

re: #124 tradewind

See #18, i think that explains it all.

re: #109 lori lane

hi {HH}. doing great. watched most of the Womens' Volleyball. but stepped away from the tv and have no idea of the final outcome. do you know? how are things going poolside?

that's great lori!
the kids have taken over the big screen playing some crazy new video game..I'm heading out to the backyard and going to work on my tan
in about 30 minutes..
did you watch the olympic opening last night?
I was very impressed..somebody on ESPN said today the brits are nervous now.. how do you top that?

re: #119 MandyManners

Good grief. I'm watching this shit. Unfuckingbelievable.

CNN has always been pro-Soviet. It should be no surprise that they are supporting the heirs of Stalin.

#110 nevergiveup

no, that makes you a pedophile! :) Just kidding! A joke...a joke...

re: #112 jcm

Asking the MSM to look a little deeper is like asking for a pig to fly.

I beg to differ. I expect there is a far greater likelihood of my seeing a pig fly. I guess Fluff Journalism 101 class didn't teach them to consider anything they haven't seen on ABC, CBS or NBC (preferably on sitcoms).

re: #132 ibmkeyboard
Ok. Now I see where you're coming from. Guess I misread/obtuse.
Putin thinks he's gonna be the next Czar.

re: #130 jcm

Russian doctrine is artillery heavy, bludgeon your opponent.

Russian doctrine is,

"if you come back this way you will be shot and killed."

There are plenty of folks on our side who are cheering for the Russians on this one.

re: #127 MandyManners

Who is that fuckhead on CNN?

eee. he is a fuckhead.

re: #137 jcm
Us too. Luckily we got some rain to go with the lightening.

re: #147 medaura18586

There are plenty of folks on our side who are cheering for the Russians on this one.

Who?

re: #128 Eric Cartman's Conscience

#95 et al;

I'm no sympathizer for Russia. But Georgia and Russia have been running smack back and forth for a few years now. I just hope Georgia can back up her smack. Unfortunately, if a few Russian jets can indiscriminately bomb three of your air bases perhaps one should temper ones smack. News reports claim Georgia moved on Ossetia first. If true, they should have expected and been prepared for a Russian response. The head of Georgia made a campaign promise to reclaim Ossetia and seemed to choose the Olympic games, with Putin out of town, for his opening gambit. But, man, Russians dominate at chess. This seems a folly brought on by the Georgians at a time we need no folly.

As for the left's response - they are so f*cked up in the head that not only with they immediately utter "Iraq", but they'll now "question the timing" of Georgia's move. They'll somehow insist, Georgia, as our ally, made this move to destabilize a region and help McCain. They'll probably go so far as to think Putin was in on it.

Abkhazia Claims Shootdown of 2 Georgian Spy Drones
By VOA News
04 May 2008

Pro-Russian separatists in Georgia's Abkhazia region say they have shot down two Georgian spy drones over the breakaway region Sunday. However, Georgia has denied launching any flights in the area.

The claim and denial come two weeks after a Georgian drone was downed in the same area, heightening already-strained relations between Russia and Georgia.

SNIP

re: #133 pingjockey

He's got Putins talking points down pat.

Saakashvili is talking right over him.

re: #144 David IV of Georgia

I beg to differ. I expect there is a far greater likelihood of my seeing a pig fly. I guess Fluff Journalism 101 class didn't teach them to consider anything they haven't seen on ABC, CBS or NBC (preferably on sitcoms).

LOL! I stand corrected!
Journos are too lazy do basic fact and history checks.

re: #150 Nevergiveup
The msm springs to mind.

re: #147 medaura18586

There are plenty of folks on our side who are cheering for the Russians on this one.

Put up or shut up.

re: #154 pingjockey

The msm springs to mind.

Those aren't our people.

Democrat friendlies have nothing to worry about ... bomb away.

Isn't bombing civilians a war crime, or do they have to have panties on their heads first for it to be an official war crime?

Anyone know where Amnesty international is? Probably working on the Bush Democrat's impeachment team. Reality has a way of intruding on liberal fantasies.

re: #92 The Other Les

And Stalin did it the old fashioned way, he shot them, starved them, and worked them to death.

agree

re: #141 HoosierHoops

did you watch the olympic opening last night?

yes, i watched it...until i fell asleep. :) i'll watch the rest of it this weekend, hopefully. :)

somebody on ESPN said today the brits are nervous now.. how do you top that?

this morning i bought the friday edition of USA TODAY to get more familiarized with everything. what are they nervous about? :)

re: #115 BlueCanuck

The liveleak video I saw said tanks, but they looked more like troop carriers and mobile artillery than tanks to me.

Exactly right. The question is how much training have the Georgians done with AT weapons, and when will Russia get T90's there. Infantry deployed AT hunter teams will have a field day until the T90s get there if they have any sort of decent training.

re: #156 MandyManners
That is true. My bad.

re: #125 Nevergiveup

The asshole on CNN just accused the Georgia President of shooting down Soviet planes as if that is wrong when they are bombing your country?

Our Mainstream Communist press is taking advantage of the fact that we are traditionally adverse to forcible censorship in the American Republic. If those idiots keep it up we're may see that aversion disappear amougst many of our citizens.

CNN fuckhead says: ... (I paraphrase) 'We don'd care about your people - what about he Americans who are there? - what about your troops in Iraq?"

seriously - he is a fuckhead.

From the VOA link I posted above.

Moscow also contends the April 20 Georgian drone flight violated a 1994 international ceasefire agreement for Abkhazia. That pact permitted Russian peacekeepers in both Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Moscow has drawn international criticism for bolstering its military presence in the two Georgian regions. Moscow calls its move a response to a Georgian troop buildup near the breakaway regions.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia in the early 1990s, sparking fighting and the dispatch of Russian peacekeepers. Many residents in the regions hold Russian passports. Georgia says the peacekeepers side with the separatists, and has pledged to bring both regions back under central government control.

Putin is down there somewhere. Maybe a stray bomb will scare his ass.

Sakki's a cutie.

re: #153 jcm

LOL! I stand corrected!
Journos are too lazy do basic fact and history checks.

It would be nice if they would just check Wikipedia, the unimpeachable source of all truth [citation needed].

re: #48 talkradiobug

The MSM has not exactly been overboard about this story.

Last night on TV every "news" program was dwelling in the Edwards affair. Even the Olympics have been overshadowed by the Edwards story.

The Olympics? Don't you mean the spotlight on China's human rights record/abuses that the coverage has turned into? I haven't heard word one about an Olympic competition yet. Not likely too either, I'm not watching it this time, except maybe some TaeKwonDo since my Son might be interested.

re: #128 Eric Cartman's Conscience

The Russian state needs to be put down. The problem is that it would require nukes and that they can respond in kind.

re: #165 pingjockey

Putin is down there somewhere. Maybe a stray bomb will scare his ass.

Why?! Is he trying to show the world that he has a big, swinging dick?

Just announced on cnn......
Georgia parliament has declared WAR.
Putin is in border area

re: #159 lori lane

this morning i bought the friday edition of USA TODAY to get more familiarized with everything. what are they nervous about? :)

Well in 4 years the olympics are in London.. It will really be hard to top last nights show...
Costas last night said it was stunning..twice..it was really cool..

re: #151 MandyManners

Abkhazia Claims Shootdown of 2 Georgian Spy Drones
By VOA News
04 May 2008

Pro-Russian separatists in Georgia's Abkhazia region say they have shot down two Georgian spy drones over the breakaway region Sunday. However, Georgia has denied launching any flights in the area.

The claim and denial come two weeks after a Georgian drone was downed in the same area, heightening already-strained relations between Russia and Georgia.

SNIP

[Link: www.strategypage.com...]

Gaaah! FNC leads off with silky pony BS.

Fox is on Edwards..... yech, enough already.

Send Silky to bed without supper and ignore him with an extended timeout.

Russia is following their natural sense of justice; kill and blame the West.

re: #175 tradewind

Send Silky to bed without supper and ignore him with an extended timeout.

*spanks Johnny* bad bad boy!

re: #139 dmandman

That's why I made the comment about "revenge" diaries earlier. Look up how Stalin got his troops revved up during WWII against the Germans. A political officer monitored those (mandatory) entries to insure the troops were sufficiently motivated for revenge. If an entry was deemed too mild it was noted and commented upon (implication of better use in Penal Battalion perhaps?). The troops knew they had to deliver on the "Revenge" also which contributed to the rape statistics that were later compiled against the German women.

I never read about that. But gosh that's not a surprise.

re: #159 lori lane

The Brits scould start by not building the World's Largest Mosque in the same area as their Olympic stadium.......

re: #150 Nevergiveup

Who?

One of my favorites, Rusty:
"Russia Invades Georgia: When 2 Natural Allies go to War"
[Link: mypetjawa.mu.nu...]

No, he definitely isn't "cheering" for Russia -- but he admits he is torn on this one. I'm sure there are more similar sentiments out there.

I'd like to see what Robert Spencer and James Jatras have to say about this. Nothing about it on Jihad Watch at this time.

I am so very thankful that I don't ever watch, CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, MSLSD, etc.

My life is much more full and enjoyable, by never, ever watching that crap.

re: #147 medaura18586

There are plenty of folks on our side who are cheering for the Russians on this one.

What you mean "our side", kimosabe?

re: #171 Glackinspeil

Just announced on cnn......
Georgia parliament has declared WAR.
Putin is in border area

He was in China yesterday..those dictators sure know how to get around

Putin.

Haven't heard a peep from the euroweenies.

re: #163 FrogMarch

CNN fuckhead says: ... (I paraphrase) 'We don'd care about your people - what about he Americans who are there? - what about your troops in Iraq?"

seriously - he is a fuckhead.

Right. Instead of thanking him for his countries past support for our efforts in Iraq and showing any concern for the massacre of his citizens, the asshat feigned concern for American citizens. As if he really gives a shit about America or Americans. After all the MSM is not suppose to show any favoritism towards the good old US of A!

US sweeps women's sabre

Just as soon as they pick up their team medals, send them to Georgia, I think they can clean up this little mess!

/I wish

Congrats to them in any case!

re: #184 MandyManners

Damn. I wonder what Dubya sees now when he looks into those eyes?

re: #165 pingjockey

Putin is down there somewhere. Maybe a stray bomb will scare his ass.

I thought he is in Peking?

re: #184 MandyManners

Putin.

I can't look into his eyes and see his soul..
/damn sunglasses

About the CNN correspondent - he's a rising star at CNN and just celebrated his 30th birthday a few months back - on air. They love this guy. The point is, he's 30. So, you can imagine the indoctrination, as a young black man in America, this man went through over the past twenty-five years. He never had a chance but to think like an automaton.

re: #170 MandyManners

Why?! Is he trying to show the world that he has a big, swinging dick?

He likes to watch.

re: #184 MandyManners

Putin.

Looks like Damien's father from one of the Omen movies.

Putin.

re: #172 HoosierHoops

oh oh. i can't believe i didn't know that. we were watching the beginning of it at Nick's last night. the beginning looked amazing with all of those drums. can't wait to actually hear it. :)

i was telling my daughter yesterday that long long ago in a faraway time, both the summer & winter Olympics were held in the same year, but I can't remember when that changed. i'll google it unless someone has the answer now. :)

re: #170 MandyManners

Why?! Is he trying to show the world that he has a big, swinging dick?

I think that's a big part of his political career, that and knocking off opponents.

re: #189 Nevergiveup
CNN said he was down by the border now.

re: #188 tradewind

Damn. I wonder what Dubya sees now when he looks into those eyes?

From the Dead Thread. What Sen. McCain saw when he looked into Putin's eyes.

re: #145 pingjockey

Ok. Now I see where you're coming from. Guess I misread/obtuse.
Putin thinks he's gonna be the next Czar.

The terrorists will be on his ass like flies on honey.

and unless he forgets,
he is closer to these fanatics than we are.

remember the 300 school children?

re: #190 HoosierHoops

I can't look into his eyes and see his soul..
/damn sunglasses

I can see it just fine. He's looking over them.

re: #186 Nevergiveup

Right. Instead of thanking him for his countries past support for our efforts in Iraq and showing any concern for the massacre of his citizens, the asshat feigned concern for American citizens. As if he really gives a shit about America or Americans. After all the MSM is not suppose to show any favoritism towards the good old US of A!

I suspect that any country willing to commit troops to Iraq is also on CNN's shit list.

Pingjockey, Probably haven't heard from the euroweenies because they are shitting their pants about now. This stuff is a little too close to home for them,

re: #115 BlueCanuck

The liveleak video I saw said tanks, but they looked more like troop carriers and mobile artillery than tanks to me.

That's what I'd expect.

re: #191 Eric Cartman's Conscience

About the CNN correspondent - he's a rising star at CNN and just celebrated his 30th birthday a few months back - on air. They love this guy. The point is, he's 30. So, you can imagine the indoctrination, as a young black man in America, this man went through over the past twenty-five years. He never had a chance but to think like an automaton.

Who are you talking about, Obama?

re: #199 ibmkeyboard

remember the 300 school children?

yes. horrified by it. never want to see anything like that again.

re: #184 MandyManners

Putin.

Someone should do an animated .GIF of his eyes turning to a glowing red color.

re: #198 MandyManners

From the Dead Thread. What Sen. McCain saw when he looked into Putin's eyes.

[Link: www.youtube.com...]

Makes me remember why I liked McCain so much back in 1999-2000.

re: #199 ibmkeyboard
Is Beslan in that area?

I don't know how reliable this source is, it's a leftist publication, ( Wiki says formed in part by friends of Noam Chomsky) but it claims there is a lot of Slavic vs. non-Slavic feeling in Russia and it claims that it has been exploited by Putin particularly against Georgia, with examples of actions taken against non-Slavs in Russia:

Meanwhile, the escalating campaign against Georgians is driving internal Russian politics down dark and uncharted avenues. “The Kremlin is appealing to Russian society’s nationalistic moods, and that’s very dangerous,” says Fyodor Lukyanov, editor of the foreign policy journal Russia in Global Affairs. “This kind of device is easy to use, but very hard to control.”

Ethnic Cleansing in Russia

CNN ..... from video of Putin getting off plane at border.....to Bernie Mac coverage

re: #51 The Other Les

200 according to Wikipedia. I looked it up last night.

Strategypage has a few items of information also.

Most of what both sides have was inherited from the Soviet breakup. How it was maintained is open to question.

Putin had to be planning this to get any Russian troops there that quickly -- the Russian Army simply doesn't have the equipment or training to bring a reserve unit up to speed that quickly.

OTOH, the Georgians have had American training for the past few years. I'd think they could hold their own against mildly superior Russian forces. If the Russians get creative on the number of troops sent in, the outcome would be more debatable, but if the Russians are as cheap as I think Putin might be, they're about to have their heads handed to them.

Incidentally, the Russians have been hanging out in the two breakaway provinces, and have been giving the locals Russian passports. This is not a new thing. (Scroll down to the bottom on the link).

re: #180 medaura18586

I don't see much of a jihad connection to this. None of the three nations are Islamic, and I don't think the separatists are looking to become part of any caliphate. This isn't a Muslim vs. Other conflict.

Putin.

[Link: www.iht.com...]

re: #195 lori lane

oh oh. i can't believe i didn't know that. we were watching the beginning of it at Nick's last night. the beginning looked amazing with all of those drums. can't wait to actually hear it. :)

i was telling my daughter yesterday that long long ago in a faraway time, both the summer & winter Olympics were held in the same year, but I can't remember when that changed. i'll google it unless someone has the answer now. :)

The IOC votes to change the schedule of the Olympics. Starting in 1984, the Summer Games and Winter Games will take place two years apart from one another, rather than in the same year.

re: #182 itellu3times

What you mean "our side", kimosabe?

lol

Scary territory.... Turkey underneath them, all the 'zans to the right, between the Black Sea and Russia's Caspian......
no wonder they're worried....
[Link: www.worldatlas.com...]

When Putin flew to the war zone, did he bring his puppy dog, I mean the President of Russia with him?

re: #214 HoosierHoops

thx HH. i think i liked it better when they were in the same year.

it's cloudy down here. do you have sunshine?

re: #217 Nevergiveup

When Putin flew to the war zone, did he bring his puppy dog, I mean the President of Russia with him?

Why?

Is there a shortage of camp followers?

re: #208 pingjockey

Is Beslan in that area?

It's in North Ossetia.

re: #217 Nevergiveup
The prez of russia is being watched by some big beefy KGB types to make sure he says his lines right. Wouldn't want him to have an accident.

re: #220 MandyManners
Dayum. BBIAW.

re: #218 lori lane

thx HH. i think i liked it better when they were in the same year.

it's cloudy down here. do you have sunshine?

sort of overcast with the sun peeking out every so often...
bummer..i think it will clear up..hoping like heck

#204 Nevergiveup

You got it! Exactly!

Home video of Russian equipment moving into Georgia.

APC's, tracked artillery, bridging units, trucks.

re: #39 ibmkeyboard

NO
but how the hell are you supposed to tell another country not to attack someone else when you did the same thing?

Eh

So the reasons don't matter?

Afghanistan harbored Bin Laden and the terror camps where 9/11 was planned. And this after we helped them defeat Soviet aggression. They refused to give Bin Laden up, which would have spared them an invasion.

Saddam Hussein attacked his neighbors, slaughtered (with poison gas among other things) and tortured his own people by the tens of thousands, was developing WMDs in defiance of numerous United Nations resolutions, and likely had ties to al-Qaeda. He was involved in an assassination attempt on a former American President.

What has Georgia done that establishes it as a threat to Russia proper or to its neighbors in general? It was dealing forcefully with an internal threat. Russia acts like Georgia itself is an "internal threat." It's only an internal threat if it's not a sovereign nation but part of the Russian Empire.

re: #182 itellu3times
The real Khemosabi.....remove your hat when you say that name...
[Link: www.exposureplus.com...]

re: #211 Steffan

Putin had to be planning this to get any Russian troops there that quickly -- the Russian Army simply doesn't have the equipment or training to bring a reserve unit up to speed that quickly.

OTOH, the Georgians have had American training for the past few years. I'd think they could hold their own against mildly superior Russian forces. If the Russians get creative on the number of troops sent in, the outcome would be more debatable, but if the Russians are as cheap as I think Putin might be, they're about to have their heads handed to them.

I'll fully believe that when I see video of T90 tanks. Why the T90? Because in the terrain the fighting is currently in the Georgian anti-tank teams have standoff against everything in the Russian Inventory except the T90. That being said India, the largest producer of the T90, is slated to start a whole new tanks because fear that light AT missiles are progressing faster than they can up-armor the T90.

re: #40 HoosierHoops

looks like yesterday..todays paper reported it..
HONOLULU - Hawaii-born presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama hailed the aloha spirit and diversity of his native state, telling several thousand cheering supporters the nation as a whole is hungry for it.

Obama, who was born and raised in Honolulu, said yesterday at a rally that the aloha spirit meant helping those in need, taking care of one’s elders and treating people with respect. He said it also meant working with people of different backgrounds, whether they are black, white, Japanese-American, Filipino-American or any ethnicity.

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAA

I'm watching enormous activity of Russian sleepers (and KGB-FSB officers?) throughout major western i-forums. Never seen anything like this since death of Litvinenko.
Charles, what are ISPs?

re: #221 pingjockey

The prez of russia is being watched by some big beefy KGB types to make sure he says his lines right. Wouldn't want him to have an accident.

He's got one hella of a job, ha? I wonder how comfortable his office in the Lubyanka is?

re: #229 debutaunt

BOH is gonna go ballistic if they try to get him to eat a typical Island diet.... way too many fat grams for him. I hope someone forces him to a pig roast.

re: #59 dmandman

Does anyone know what the Black Sea fleet is doing?

Not a lot at the moment, but Putin is apparently trying to take the Crimea back from Ukraine.

Also:

Russia is also annoyed with joint military training exercises being held in the Black Sea, involving forces from Ukraine, NATO, America, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Macedonia and Latvia. The exercises cover, ground, naval and air operations. Russia has, for centuries, considered the Black Sea to be "Russian territory," and this "invasion" by "foreigners" has roused lots of nationalistic anger back in Russia.

Georgian forum. [Link: www.georgia.lv...]

I cannot get the English version to load.

Does anyone know of a blog or news site with up to the minute coverage of events?

I think it is time to fast track Georgia into NATO ASAP if nothing else just to piss off that Puke Putin. il figlio di mille padri, tutti i maiali amano appena è translate that you Russian sow!

re: #53 E.T.

Does anyone know if Georgia has any of the left-over nukes from the USSR days ?

I believe they were removed a few years back along with some (not all) from the Ukraine as part of the Nunn-Lugar effort to "protect" them from proliferation...

re: #235 mpax

Does anyone know of a blog or news site with up to the minute coverage of events?

Your on it

Welcome the new Russia, same as the old Russia

I expect Marxist Obambi to become really good friends with Putin. This is another reason we can't allow this clown to become president.

I think you got this backwards... I have no doubt the Russians have been shelling, but the capital of South Ossetia, tzhinvali, was bombed by Georgian artillery. That's what I've heard.

re: #225 jcm

Home video of Russian equipment moving into Georgia.

APC's, tracked artillery, bridging units, trucks.

A bunch of 152mm self propelled guns, some MLTB personnel carriers, and some tracked vehicles which may be antiaircraft missile launchers. (Can't tell with all that canvas covering it up.)

Deja Vu at pravda... it's all our fault....

[Link: english.pravda.ru...]

re: #212 stevieray

I don't see much of a jihad connection to this. None of the three nations are Islamic, and I don't think the separatists are looking to become part of any caliphate. This isn't a Muslim vs. Other conflict.

Not that I think that, of course! Here is some basic background: [Link: www.cia.gov...]

Disputes - international:

Russia and Georgia agree on delimiting 80% of their common border, leaving certain small, strategic segments and the maritime boundary unresolved; OSCE observers monitor volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti region and the Argun Gorge in Abkhazia; UN Observer Mission in Georgia has maintained a peacekeeping force in Georgia since 1993; Meshkheti Turks scattered throughout the former Soviet Union seek to return to Georgia; boundary with Armenia remains undemarcated; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy from the Georgian government; Azerbaijan and Georgia continue to discuss the alignment of their boundary at certain crossing areas

There is barely a Russian minority in George (around 1.5% according to the CIA) so Russia has no credible excuse.

It looks to be all about oil, and Russia blew up their major pipeline: that was their first target. It's also about an affront to the USA... it's about Bush's political weakness now at the end of his last term, his inability to respond, and Putin affronting him directly at the Olympics (the timing of the attack is telling).

That of course, does not stop some people from calling Russia "our natural ally" against Islamism. The MSM is carrying the salt for Putin right now because his advances are bad for American power...

Qassam rocket lands in western Negev, no injuries

[Link: www.ynetnews.com...]

Maybe Israel should pull a Putin!

Russia really rolled the dice on this one. They need to win this quickly, cleanly, and decisively to maintain any military credibility. If this turns into another miserable slog-fest like Afghanistan or Chechnya, the Russian military and arms industry will take a huge hit.

Georgia is tiny, the Russians know the terrain well, and it sits on their border... no excuses for the Red Army if things don't go smoothly.

re: #234 MandyManners

Georgian forum. [Link: www.georgia.lv...]

I cannot get the English version to load.

Georgian news servers have probably gotten more visits in the last 24 hours than they have for the rest of the year combined.

Someone mentioned earlier that the CNN guy said "we don't care about your people, what about Americans there". Was this (almost/mostly) verbatim? Or was there some embellishing going on with that post?

I ask because I did notice they seemed to usher the correspondent off the air after the interview. Did he really say that? If so a transcript is crucial. THAT could be a huge story. An American anchor saying "we don't care" or making any such subjective value judgement.

re: #167 David IV of Georgia

It would be nice if they would just check Wikipedia, the unimpeachable source of all truth [citation needed].

Coke on the keyboard. Thanks David.

re: #228 Quilly Mammoth

Putin had to be planning this to get any Russian troops there that quickly -- the Russian Army simply doesn't have the equipment or training to bring a reserve unit up to speed that quickly.

OTOH, the Georgians have had American training for the past few years. I'd think they could hold their own against mildly superior Russian forces. If the Russians get creative on the number of troops sent in, the outcome would be more debatable, but if the Russians are as cheap as I think Putin might be, they're about to have their heads handed to them.

I'll fully believe that when I see video of T90 tanks. Why the T90? Because in the terrain the fighting is currently in the Georgian anti-tank teams have standoff against everything in the Russian Inventory except the T90. That being said India, the largest producer of the T90, is slated to start a whole new tanks because fear that light AT missiles are progressing faster than they can up-armor the T90.

Russian soldiers were in Abkhazia until a week ago. How much you wanna' bet they've not really left?

SUKHUMI, Georgia (Reuters) - The last of 400 Russian soldiers sent by Moscow to repair a railway in Georgia's rebel region of Abkhazia began to pull out on Wednesday, ending a deployment which angered Tbilisi and its Western allies.

Loudspeakers played music from a brass band and children handed out flowers and Abkhazian flags to Russian soldiers at the opening ceremony of the 54 km (33 mile) railway line.

"It's certain that all the personnel and all the equipment will be sent away from here," the Russian commander, Lieutenant-General Sergei Klimets, told reporters after handing out medals to the soldiers

SNIP

re: #240 Nemesis6

I was trying to do two things at once, sorry. It's corrected now.

I think this makes it less likely for Georgia to enter NATO. No one wants to go to war with Russia

re: #241 The Other Les

A bunch of 152mm self propelled guns, some MLTB personnel carriers, and some tracked vehicles which may be antiaircraft missile launchers. (Can't tell with all that canvas covering it up.)

One of those the back part was uncovered looked like a bridging unit.

re: #214 HoosierHoops

The IOC votes to change the schedule of the Olympics. Starting in 1984, the Summer Games and Winter Games will take place two years apart from one another, rather than in the same year.

Actually, the Winter and Summer Games took place the same year through 1988. In 1990, the Winter Games were held on their own, with the Summer Games following in 1992.

re: #230 Serge GoFan

I'm watching enormous activity of Russian sleepers (and KGB-FSB officers?) throughout major western i-forums. Never seen anything like this since death of Litvinenko.
Charles, what are ISPs?

What?

#232 tradewind, Do you think they sell arugula there?Barry can just work off the fat by going to the gym. As a totally frivolous post, am I they only one who thinks Obama looks like Urkel from that old sit-com?Just put glasses on him and a pair of "floods" and there you go! Separated at birth?

re: #251 mpax

I think this makes it less likely for Georgia to enter NATO. No one wants to go to war with Russia

Patton?

re: #233 Steffan

His ego must be smarting.

Admittedly I don't know much about the details of that region. However, hasn't the US been pushing for Georgia to be admitted into NATO?

NATO is a joke to begin with, but even so, trying to get Georgia on board would have been like the USSR pushing for Mexico to be a Warsaw Pact member.

Remember what happened when the Baltic states joined? Russia was powerless then to really do anything about it. Not so anymore. We have our hands full as it is. Sorry, but these former Soviet Republics need to deal with this on their own or with help from the EU. I'm sick of our involvement all over the globe getting us nowhere. In fact, we should say nothing, do nothing, and let the Euros scream and demand action on our part...and then tell them to politely take care of their own backyard.

re: #241 The Other Les

A bunch of 152mm self propelled guns, some MLTB personnel carriers, and some tracked vehicles which may be antiaircraft missile launchers. (Can't tell with all that canvas covering it up.)

Sorry, that's MT-LB tracked personnel carriers. Usually issued to support units.

re: #232 tradewind

BOH is gonna go ballistic if they try to get him to eat a typical Island diet.... way too many fat grams for him. I hope someone forces him to a pig roast.

Wouldn't some people be offended by that?
Just let him eat his waffles!

re: #235 mpax

Does anyone know of a blog or news site with up to the minute coverage of events?

This is as good as I can find.

[Link: www.aboutgeorgia.net...]

re: #232 tradewind

BOH is gonna go ballistic if they try to get him to eat a typical Island diet.... way too many fat grams for him. I hope someone forces him to a pig roast.

LoL typical Island Diet? I live in Hawaii for 3 years..
I'm not sure what you mean by a typical diet..but i ate really healthy
there..lots of fruits and great steaks and meats..Yes the occational roasted pig on the beach...oh and do NOT visit Hawaii without eating the corn soup..yummy yummy..

Ralph Peters has a decent column in today's NY Post where he makes an excellent claim to evidence that Russia planned this entire thing. The armored brigade from the 58th, which was stationed in N Ossetia would not have been in a state of readiness to simply roll into Georgia at a moment's notice. It took some prior planning to ensure they were ready, and had competent crews. Russia planned this.

How do I know that the Russians set a trap? Simple: Given the wretched state of Russian military readiness, that brigade could never have shot out of its motor pool on short notice. The Russians obviously "task-organized" the force in advance to make sure it would have working tanks with competent crews.