Russia Invades Georgia

[Rastus]

What's your take on this?  I really don't have much background on this.

Georgia stands no chance against a minor Russian incursion.  They've already taken out numerous oil facilities....bet oil jumps up Monday. 

Does Georgian law allow the right to own firearms?

[Pathfinder]

What's your take on this?  I really don't have much background on this.

Georgia stands no chance against a minor Russian incursion.  They've already taken out numerous oil facilities....bet oil jumps up Monday. 

Does Georgian law allow the right to own firearms?

Georgia has had a repressive government since its break-off from the USSR, so I doubt it allows private ownership of effective weapons. As to the specific cause of this war, I haven't a clue, have not seen any decent analysis, just news about this attack or that one.

<edit> OK, here is what I have figured out. Apparently, Russia is miffed that Georgia is accepting aid and training from the US (what with Georgia being right next door to Russia), and is supporting two provinces in Georgia that have effectively broken away from the central Georgian government. The Georgians sent troops into one of the province, Ossetia (sp?) to try to stabilize things or exert their control, and the Russians have attacked not only the Georgians in Ossetia but also the Georgian capital and main port.

Apparently, Russia wants to absorb the 2 break-away provinces into Russia, part of their interest in rebuilding Russia into the former USSR as a new major world power.

[twyacht]

Georgian troops got a wild hair and moved into a "Pro-Moscow" city. The Russians don't play when it comes to a breakaway state wanting more territory, like South Ossetia. The Georgian military has pulled out after a relentless pounding, but the Russians are going to make sure they don't pull this stunt again. Georgian troops are American trained, and Russia wants to "send a message".

The Russians also don't like Georgia's want to join NATO, and is an American ally. So they took the fight to Tilbilisi, the capital of Georgia.
Rules of engagement by the Russians is "old school"; bomb the cities, civilian deaths are their problem. They are not using smart bombs to limit civ. casualties, cause they don't give a s***.

Now the Russian Fleet is moving into the Black Sea, and another breakaway neighbor of Georgia's, Abkhazia is mobilizing it's troops in defense of its interests in the region.

It's like New Mexico wants Arizona territory for themselves, invades Phoenix, and the US military beats them back, but Nevada now sees a chance to increase its state size and here we go,...

Nothing against the SW, one can use the same analogy with any other state. I wouldn't mind NH and VT taking Mass. and CT back.

[Ocin]

The latest on Dutch teletekst: The Ukrainians have threatened not to allow the Russian warships back in their port of Sevastopol, which is located on Ukrainian soil. Apparently this is applicable to those warships currently in action in the Black Sea, just off the coast of Georgia. Apparently they are not too happy with the Russians either.

If this is indeed an attempt of the Russians to rebuild their empire (and yes: it "walks like - talks like - looks like"), I can imagine a lot of countries not being too happy with this.

At the moment this looks like a small, regional conflict, but it may have the potential of getting out of control real fast.

Ocin

[Neon Knight Anubis]

The Russian PR spin of course is that Georgia provoked this incident, yeah right. Russia has had an increased amount of military force at that border for some time. It infuriates me that they've been intentionally bombing civilian targets. I've known good and well that KGB Russia never left but I think its safe to say its officially returned and returning to its old ways, and the big difference is this time they realized that the power of capitalism is the way to do it.

The latest on Dutch teletekst: The Ukrainians have threatened not to allow the Russian warships back in their port of Sevastopol, which is located on Ukrainian soil. Apparently this is applicable to those warships currently in action in the Black Sea, just off the coast of Georgia. Apparently they are not too happy with the Russians either.

If this is indeed an attempt of the Russians to rebuild their empire (and yes: it "walks like - talks like - looks like"), I can imagine a lot of countries not being too happy with this.

At the moment this looks like a small, regional conflict, but it may have the potential of getting out of control real fast.

Ocin

A rebuild of the old Russia would raise eyebrows but somehow I think thats all that it would do, there isn't much we could do either way. Even through "negotiations" Russia would get almost anything it wanted, practically hand fed by the UN and anything it doesn't get through that will be taken later on without fear of reprisal because no one will have a show of force large enough to deter them from taking any action.

[Sponsor]

[Ron J]

Was wondering how many rednecks thought they needed to head south to defend Atlanta?   

[Neon Knight Anubis]

Was wondering how many rednecks thought they needed to head south to defend Atlanta?   

I'm not sure they would stick their necks out for Atlanta 

Even if they did, the traffic would be so bad by the time they got there they would be too late anyway. 

[twyacht]

I'm not sure they would stick their necks out for Atlanta 

Even if they did, the traffic would be so bad by the time they got there they would be too late anyway. 

Maybe Lake Lanier, but not Atlanta.

The UN is going to have "another meeting" about this conflict. I'm sure that will help end the bloodshed.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080810/D92FDSLG0.html

[tombogan03884]

Georgian troops got a wild hair and moved into a "Pro-Moscow" city. The Russians don't play when it comes to a breakaway state wanting more territory, like South Ossetia. The Georgian military has pulled out after a relentless pounding, but the Russians are going to make sure they don't pull this stunt again. Georgian troops are American trained, and Russia wants to "send a message".

The Russians also don't like Georgia's want to join NATO, and is an American ally. So they took the fight to Tilbilisi, the capital of Georgia.
Rules of engagement by the Russians is "old school"; bomb the cities, civilian deaths are their problem. They are not using smart bombs to limit civ. casualties, cause they don't give a s***.

Now the Russian Fleet is moving into the Black Sea, and another breakaway neighbor of Georgia's, Abkhazia is mobilizing it's troops in defense of its interests in the region.

It's like New Mexico wants Arizona territory for themselves, invades Phoenix, and the US military beats them back, but Nevada now sees a chance to increase its state size and here we go,...

Nothing against the SW, one can use the same analogy with any other state. I wouldn't mind NH and VT taking Mass. and CT back.

Neither would I 

[Rob10ring]

Great time to make a pansy like Obama the President!