Comments on: Georgia Pleads for Help Against Russian Brutality and Hegemony

By: Herschel Smith

Herschel Smith — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:28:51 +0000

Yes, A-10s, with some fighter protection up high. Bullies understand one language, and only one.

By: Gary in Kabul

Gary in Kabul — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:53:52 +0000

Editor: The US has a Partnership for Peace agreement with Georgia. If NATO lets the Russian thugs and bullies walk over a peaceful democratic state then who is next? Poland? Herr Hitler used the same tactics on a running-scared pre-WWII Europe and succeeded in the Sudatenland, Czechoslovakia, and in Austria. Are we going to let Vladimir Putin go down in history as the next Hitler? A universal remedy is to give the Russian amored columns a bloody nose. Some good anti-tank missiles given to Georgian forces and a few strafing runs by some A-10 Thunderbolt IIs would stop the bully tactics of the Russian Bear. Enough said, lets see if Europe and the NATO Alliance has the resolve to do right!

By: Why the Conflict in Georgia is No Laughing Matter

Why the Conflict in Georgia is No Laughing Matter — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:21:28 +0000

[...] as the Herschel Smith points out these Russian forces look less then impressive with some having beards, long hair, different [...]

By: Warbucks

Warbucks — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 03:55:15 +0000

Many new forces are in play since the innocence of the great Russian People was last betrayed and led into war in Afghanistan.

• Religious zeal of the masses for truth and non-violence has proven itself a worthy opponent to the powers of thugery running Russia. To these powers even Putin is a puppet on its string and desires escape.

• Bloggers hold the court of public opinion as never before. The Captain’s Journal being an example. Those of us that have found these powerful and capable communication networks are using them in ways that alter public opinion, impact the political process, and add new dynamics to diplomacy. They make a difference.

• We know what works against Russian ground forces and tactics. They know we know. The slightest flinch we perceive as “beyond the line” from the current posture, will trigger hundreds of billions into stealth war machinery supported throughout the west. It’s probably already on the move as a necessary precaution.

• We in the west do not to see the Russian people as an enemy. The Wall is down; rebuilding it will set loose forces inside Russia for a new wave of liberation from within, or as they say on Broadway, “How ‘Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down On The Farm (After They’ve Seen Paree)

By: jonesgp1996

jonesgp1996 — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:31:47 +0000

Unfortunately, I’m not as optimistic as Warbucks is about Western resolve. There’s no outcry from Europe because they’re beholden to Russia for their energy. As noted, the US response has been feeble, but what are we supposed to do? There is no strategic reserve because our plates are more than full with Iraq and Afghanistan.

The preservation and promotion of the EU is uppermost in Europe’s collective mind. They won’t do anything to rock that boat or diverge from that goal. I’m sure that those states that opposed progression to “Membership Action Plan” status for Georgia vis-a-vis NATO are probably in full “I-told-you-so” mode right about now.

By: Warbucks

Warbucks — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:24:45 +0000

This Russian invasion topic was upper most on my mind this morning. Thank you for this insight Captain.

As Victor Davis Hanson (the military historian, columnist, political essayist and former classics professor, notable as a scholar of ancient warfare and a commentator on modern warfare and contemporary politics) points out, democracies tend to go to war very slowly and on deep principle.

Mr. Putin’s seemingly brilliant unilateral invasion timing, during Olympic Opening Ceremonies, will prove to create one unexpected consequence for Putin, enlightenment to the West, and just the sort of international violation that will on balance unleash Western resolve.