Will Putin be our next nemesis?

[Guest]

Is anyone as concerned as I am about Russia's attacks on Georgia? That tiny country is the third largest supplier of troops to Iraq, and an important US ally. Now they have asked us to help them fly their troops home to protect their own country. If one of our planes should be shot down by Russia, it could really lead to another terrible war. The reason Russia is attacking Georgia is for oil! I have heard (not read) that Putin considers himself Gog (?) a biblical character whose goal it is to destroy Israel. Israel is also sitting on huge oil reserves, which if sold to the US would not be good business for OPEC. So once again the black gold may be at the root of all our troubles. Georgia also supples a large share of Europe's oil , and Russia is aiming to destroy that pipeline. Economic repercussions there could also be catastrophic. If it were 3 a.m. and the phone rang in the White House with this news, whom would you want to take THAT call?

[Guest]

I don't know about the biblical references. but I think it is more than oil. I believe that Putin and many others in the old USSR want to bring the old empire back and intend to reconquer in one way or another all the break-away states of the old union. And I don't know if the US and the West have the will to resist this time.

Yes, I am scared sh*tless by this guy.

[Guest]

I agree. The nationalism and fanaticism he is inspiring in the youth of Russia is frightening.

[Guest]

While Putin is scary and the constant terror threat is also, MUNCLE typed in the words that scare me the most...

"And I don't know if the US and the West have the will to resist this time."

[Guest]

All the more reason for the USA to adopt an energy/security policy that allows for independence.

At some point in time if the USA doesn't get more aggressive about development....all types...as we did during the 19th and 20th centuries, we most assuredly will be replaced as the worlds top super power/economy/technology leader.

In our current status I have doubts we could keep the likes of Russia (new or old) and China in check as we once did.

The party priority in this country MUST change back to making the country and it's people the top priority....THAT IS NOT THE CASE TODAY....NOT EVEN CLOSE!!!!!

BTK

[Guest]

I think I was hiding under my elementary school desk because my teacher told me to so I would be safe from the bomb (didn't get it then either, but we did not ask questions in those days) when Nikita Khrushchev said, "We will bury you." (Was he beating his shoe on the table at the time?)

Anyway, this old boomer, with too long a memory, is worried.

Boomer

[Guest]

Don't know if it's as much about oil as it is about image.

Regional/ethnic hatreds and distrust run rampant around there, as shown with having 'breakaway provinces" such as South Ossetia, in a country approx the size of South Carolina. What occurred when Yugoslavia became a collage of independent states, and the warring which happened among all the parties, is quite similar.

South Ossetia is a border area (county-sized) inhabited by folk with kinships to the north (Russia) and south (Georgia). There has been a lot of "get even" going on in these areas since the USSR breakup, and those with Russian ties have sought Russian protection from those with Georgian ties - a modern-day Hatfield and McCoys situation.

Georgia borders Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and how the Turks respond will be key here.

[Guest]

South Ossetia lives from smuggling and stealing aid from Russia. There is no Oil or Oil lines involved here. It seems that it is a preferred place for the russian mafia for trade, drug traffic and money laundering.

[Guest]

This war is not about oil but about year round shipping access and Navel ports for the Russian Navy. And Chachacha, Israel does not sit on vast oil reserves. Not unless they were just discovered. They have no known in ground reserves. 3 months strategic reserves in under ground tanks only. They are very dependant on OPEC for their oil.

This war is all about access to the Black Sea year round shipping ports, and access to the Southern Oceans. Pull up a map and see where Georgia lies and how much shore frontage they have on the Black Sea. The Russian Navy has had limited port entry since Georgia became an independent state and they want it back. Yes they do want to create the old empire, but this war is about the ports.

[Guest]

Putin is and has been our nemisis (while everyone in the world looked the other way). Once a former KGB, always KGB !!!

Georgia does have a pipeline of oil that goes through it. Putin wants to extend Russia's iron first as it used to be in 1991. Democracy in any form will not be tolerated, even though Georgia is a separate entity and has a democracy. They are located in a strategic spot that Putin wants for a number of reasons in order to roll out his agenda and strategy for domination. My guess long term is to roll all the way to Turkey. He will join forces (and not just supplying weapons) with Iran, Syria, etc. to attack Israel.

l2 - Israel HAS indeed discovered huge oil reserves. However, it would take a vertical drilling to get it out. Don't think for a minute they aren't trying to devise a way to do that.

The cold war is back on -- unfortunately, we don't have any Ronald Reagan's in the wings to be bold and do the right thing.

I think since Georgia helped in Iraq and has been trying hard at democracy and applied for membership in NATO, they deserve to be helped by NATO troops, not just the US. But, this is a political season here in US, so no guts, no glory, no help for those poor people who are getting bombed out of existence. Pray for them.

[Guest]

thanks tall trees, i was beginning to think i did not have my facts straight....my source is my son-in-law who refuses to watch television but keeps himself VERY well informed. he is usually right. either way, it seems i am not the only one worried about this no matter what the fight is about. let's watch how it is covered in the "media"!

[Guest]

If it were 3 a.m. and the phone rang in the White House with this news, whom would you want to take THAT call?

Very good question. Don't recall any response thus far to this particular question.

Would be interested to learn who you would choose?

I know whom I would NOT choose, and that would be an incumbent!

[Guest]

Cha: Who cares about the drive by media. I'm with your son-in-law on that one. If I relied on them for information, I'd be talking like ... well, nevermind :)

As far as your question on who answers the phone, I'd rather not comment because then this discussion will deteriorate. I have seen some of the replies when you start giving opinions on the candidates. It isn't productive.