From CNN:
President Dmitry Medvedev said..."I think that there should be no mercy.... We will do our best not to let this crime go unpunished."To answer fellow blogger Lisa's question in an earlier comment:
Basically, without spending several hours writing here, I'm extremely anti-Communist. This leads me to distrust nations such as Russia.
I also think in terms of history. (I don't believe it's possible to gain a full understanding of any current event without first knowing the correlating historical backdrop.) So, this makes one think of the beginnings of the Communist party (the brutal Bolsheviks, in all their radical, ungodly glory). Fast-forward a bit, and we see an alliance between Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany--until Hitler attacks Russia. (It's a rarely-mentioned fact that the two nations were allies at the outbreak of the war--Russia even taking part in the invasion of Poland. Russia is usually known for it's later alliance with the United States and Britain.)
Let's go forward a bit again. Now, we've got an "iron curtain" of oppression and plain evil over Eastern Europe. The Soviet Union had ridden the free boat of being an "ally," receiving aid without any consequences (may I remind everyone of their own war crimes and atrocities--it wasn't only the Nazis). Communists, by their very nature, seem to hate freedom and liberty for some reason. For decades, the United States was deep in a "cold war" with this great threat to all that was good and just. We raced them in the development of space technology, we sparred with them over Cuban missiles and many other issues, and just plain did not get along.
I admit it. I have no taste for diplomacy. At times such things have their place, but I often view diplomacy as a shroud that cowardly "leaders" hide behind. It may be impractical, but I like Patton's view of the Russia problem much better. (What can I say? He's my style.)
It took more than U.N. diplomacy to "tear down that wall" and end the Cold War. (It took the spine of one very good man who was not afraid to do what he knew was right.) These hollow threats from the U.N. and the like are about as frightening to the "iron curtain" as a shower curtain.
I can't stand it when our "leaders" back down. Those, such as the heads of government at the Kremlin, only understand one kind of language: one with something behind it to back it up with.
In short, I'm tired of backing down. If Russia does not skedaddle out of Georgia, doesn't stop the lies, and doesn't return South Ossetia and Abkhazia to Georgian control, I am going to be very angry. Be it known here and now, though, war with Russia is the
very last thing I want. Believe me, war with such a nation is a sickening thought, even to this "warhawk." Not just because of it's worldwide implications, but the possibility of how it may touch my own life as well. I really do not want a war with Russia.
But, on the other hand, constantly backing down can often be much worse. I certainly hope some "diplomatic" hard ball is going on behind the scenes. If it's not, and Russia will not stop, or goes even farther (God forbid), the U.N. and the E.U. will be powerless to stop them. Something beyond them has to come into play.
I'm just tired of this political thing called "diplomacy."
But do I have an answer?
...not really. Not being in possession of any of the hard facts, not being in any position to judge, and not being one of the great men of history, I can't say either way really.
So, what do all of you think? (Let's keep this discussion friendly. State your views as blunt as you like, but stay civil with each other.)
Spencer
P.S. Okay, so I'm not really sure that made sense. Please do not take anything out of context, people; if something confuses you, ask for clarification before going on a rant and I will gladly give it to you.
I'd also
really like to say that I am
no expert on anything having to do with this issue.
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