Do you think Russia is in the right, or wrong?

[IChooseLiberty]

I hope the Russians aren't hurting innocent Georgian people. It's not their fault that Saakashvili is an idiot.

 

[James Gragg]

Hea look, I've got no "love" for the Russians either. I spent 8 years in the USMC "training to kill" them "communists" bastards. But the facts are plain on the face here. 1. The Russians have had "peacekeepers" in South Osseita since the earily 1990s. WHY? They were protecting the civilian population from the kinds of "war crimes" committed in Kosovo. 2. Friday the Georgian army launched a full blown military attack on the South Ossetian capitol with a rocket and artillary barage, tourching the entire city and killing a crapload of civilians (between 1400 - 2000). 3. Russia has been telling the US (and the west in general) for years, to leave the two northern provinces of Georgia alone, and to stay out of the controversy. 4. The US trained and equipted the Georgian army, up to their attacks on the South Osseitan civilian population, and are still "advising" that army. 5. Isrelli combat troops (an acknowledged US ally) are actively "engaged" (FIGHTING) with Russian combat troops.

"WE" (the US & NATO) have intentionally provoked the Russians into taking the actions that they have. Make no mistake about it, this is the most screwed up military advernturism that the US has done in a very long time. Its one thing to go after a "weaker nation" that has no military, its another to intentionally wave "a red flag" in frount of the atomic Russian Bear.

 

[Luft97]

"WE" (the US & NATO) have intentionally provoked the Russians into taking the actions that they have. Make no mistake about it, this is the most screwed up military advernturism that the US has done in a very long time. Its one thing to go after a "weaker nation" that has no military, its another to intentionally wave "a red flag" in frount of the atomic Russian Bear.

I could not agree more. This is a very bad move. I have also read an article stating:

There are 2,000 Georgian soldiers serving for the US in Iraq. These forces have now been called home. The US is flying them back to Georgia in US military aircraft, a very unfriendly act towards Russia, since these troops will soon be fighting the Russians under present circumstances.

Who knows what could happen?

 

[devil21]

I think Russia was purposely provoked. I voted justified.

 

[Kludge]

Who cares if it's right or not?

Have our conservative friends finally conceded to a world government or do they still seek to claim sovereignty over just the U.S.?

Russia can do whatever the hell they want so long ad it don' inte'fere wid too much bidness.

 

[micahnelson]

Who cares if it's right or not?

Have our conservative friends finally conceded to a world government or do they still seek to claim sovereignty over just the U.S.?

Russia can do whatever the hell they want so long ad it don' inte'fere wid too much bidness.

You are being sarcastic, aren't you?

Of course it is wrong. War is wrong, and should only be fought in self defense. From what I see, that is not the case. Being a non interventionist doesn't mean you should become a moral relativist. We have to call evil for what it is. Our invasion of Iraq was wrong, this invasion of Georgia is wrong. I don't think blowing up an oil pipeline makes anyone safer from ethnic cleansing.

 

[Andrew-Austin]

Oh what a poll!

Heck out of the two sides I would side with Russia on this one (going by the limited info I have now). But that decision does not even get into the specifics of how the war is being conducted, if it is a just war etc.
I remember hearing Russians are targeting/hitting civilians as well, so to vote that Russia is completely justifyed is implicating a lot of things.

But it's just so damn hard saying those words...

Thats because the libertarian in side of you knows better.

 

[Kludge]

You are being sarcastic, aren't you?

Of course it is wrong. War is wrong, and should only be fought in self defense. From what I see, that is not the case. Being a non interventionist doesn't mean you should become a moral relativist. We have to call evil for what it is. Our invasion of Iraq was wrong, this invasion of Georgia is wrong. I don't think blowing up an oil pipeline makes anyone safer from ethnic cleansing.

(I wasn't being sarcastic )

It doesn't matter that war is wrong. So long as we claim sovereignty over only ourselves, we have no business in the affairs of other nations - so long as it does not threaten us.

If impoverished country A would like to kill the Jooz, Whites, Latinos or any other inferior race, they may do so at their own peril - nothing to put our own people at risk over.

 

[klamath]

To say the russians are justified is to say the US was justified in invading Iraq. Every single damn parallel can be drawn. It is about controling the oil in that regeon. It is international power play.
It is an unjust war as most wars are but it is none of our business.

 

[brandon]

I think it was unjustified.

South Ossetia is not part of Russia. Georgia claims they control South Ossetia. South Ossetia disagrees and claims independence. Either way, it is not a Russian territory. When the Russians decided to put "peacekeepers" in a volatile region they knew that they were taking a risk. If they practiced the principle of non-intervention, they would not have had troops there in the first place.

Georgia attacked S. Ossetia, they did not attack Russia. A non interventionist Russia would let these two nations settle the dispute on their own, and stay out of it.

 

[Andrew-Austin]

I think it was unjustified.

South Ossetia is not part of Russia. Georgia claims they control South Ossetia. South Ossetia disagrees and claims independence. Either way, it is not a Russian territory. When the Russians decided to put "peacekeepers" in a volatile region they knew that they were taking a risk. If they practiced the principle of non-intervention, they would not have had troops there in the first place.

No its not the same as Iraq, though I voted unjustified.

Georgia did attack and kill citizens in S. Ossetia, and correct me if I'm wrong but Russia was legally bound by some prior agreement to step in.

 

[BenIsForRon]

(I wasn't being sarcastic )

It doesn't matter that war is wrong. So long as we claim sovereignty over only ourselves, we have no business in the affairs of other nations - so long as it does not threaten us.

If impoverished country A would like to kill the Jooz, Whites, Latinos or any other inferior race, they may do so at their own peril - nothing to put our own people at risk over.

What are you talking about? The purpose of the thread is to gauge people's opinion about the conflict, not whether we should invade Russia or not. There's a big difference between talking and military intervention.

I think a few people in this thread have touched on the obvious answer: both countries are in the wrong. Georgia wants more power, Russia wants more power. On top of this, the UN wants Russia to lose power, so by default they side with Georgia. So it's safe to say this situation will not reach a rational conclusion.

 

[Kludge]

If no action is possible as a resolution, why discuss the justification?

 

[ARealConservative]

who's version is the truth?

how can I possibly know?

 

[Kludge]

who's version is the truth?

how can I possibly know?

Just pick a side and cheer them on. It's American!

 

[Zolah]

To say the russians are justified is to say the US was justified in invading Iraq. Every single damn parallel can be drawn. It is about controling the oil in that regeon. It is international power play.
It is an unjust war as most wars are but it is none of our business.

Apart from the people of South Ossetia actually want Russia protecting them, as per an agreement both entities had.

 

[klamath]

Apart from the people of South Ossetia actually want Russia protecting them, as per an agreement both entities had.

Except the kuwaiti's wanted us to help them when Iraq invaded, the Kurds really love us for kicking the s*it out of the Iraqis And the Iranians were secretly very happy we decimated the Iraqi military. A huge portion of the Iraqi people supported the downfall of Sadamn and I have witnessed it myself. Does it make it right for the US? NO. It doesn't make it right for the Russians. I don't support the Georgians either.

 

[armstrong]

South Ossetia is a city in Georgia ,,, It is not part of Russia -----Perhaps if Georgians are committing genocide then they are wrong too ,but that is a different subject...I could not think what it would be like -Lets say Seattle no longer wanted to be part of Washington and 50 percent agreed---too bad --if you don't like being part of Washington then move...Do we really know what is going on to make a judgement ? As for now I think it is unjustified...If Russia thinks Genocide is happening then offer them to come to mother Russia .

 

[ARealConservative]

Just pick a side and cheer them on. It's American!

the talking heads represent two factions

We hear the chicken hawk version and the communist version. I'm quite sure they are both lying and they are both in the wrong, but I can't prove it.

 

[brandon]

Lets say Seattle no longer wanted to be part of Washington and 50 percent agreed---too bad --if you don't like being part of Washington then move...

This is a good example. And to take it a little further, lets say Canada started stationing troops in Seattle while being fully aware of the conflict brewing between Seattle and the US gov't. Then our highly irrational government decides to crush all dissent and attacks Seattle.

Does that give Canada justification to invade the entire state of Washington? Or was Canada wrong for getting involved in the first place?