I can not believe what Gates is saying live right now (11:00 AM)

[ThomWV]

The Secretary of Defense is effectively declairing war on Russia. Our Military will provide Georgia with relief supplies, we will airlift Georgian troops from Iraq back to defend their 'homeland', and we have just warned Russia to get out and do it fast.

What is this? They couldn't start a war with Iran so they decided to go after Russia?

Bush will have another war before he leaves office, he doesn't give a god dam where, just so long as there's another one.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

1. No...

They know that Russia is already leaving, so they can now be as loud as they want.

[Schema Thing]

3. exactly

Russia has made it clear that they don't intend to physically depose Saakashvili.

I think what we hear from here on out will just be posturing on the part of politicians in the west.

[bobd0]

10. Putin looked in to Bush's eyes

and said, "I see a pussy."

(No offense intended to pussies)

[JeffreyWilliamson]

2. Look at it this way...

If they aren't sincere about pulling out and we start a war with them, we won't have to worry about having any more wars after it's over.

[TwilightGardener]

4. Gates is trustworthy, IMO--he wouldn't go along with a plan intended

to escalate the situation, because he knows we don't have the military might to get into a scuffle with Russia right now.

[bemildred]

5. We can't just be looking impotent now, can we? nt

[Schema Thing]

6. "come back here, I'll bite your leg off"

[fed_up_mother]

11. More like

"Come back here, so I can shoot myself in the foot!"

[Greybnk48]

7. And Putie Pute will come forward in the next week or two and say

he can only effectively deal with McCain as Prez.

[Bok_Tukalo]

8. Two breakaway regions of Georgia are effectively in Russia's hands

and the notion of NATO expansion into Georgia (and probably Ukraine) is over for the near future. Also, Europe's impotence is on full display for all to see.

I would say Russia gained a great deal in this and can let the Eagle bluster and shakes its taloned fist all we want.

[hack89]

14. Time will tell

Russia is still a weak country - declining population, ancient infrastructure and a lopsided economy too dependent on oil and gas. Pissing off Europe and American may not be the best thing for their long term interest.

Just remember - the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was supposedly a demonstration of Soviet might and influence. In reality, it set off a chain of unanticipated results that led to disaster. And don't forget how Iraq was supposed to boost US prestige and influence in the ME. Time will tell.

[LSK]

9. we already airlifted Georgian troops from Iraq

And the Russians are leaving. This is just rhetoric.

[madokie]

12. It looks that way to me too

hes drank and drugged so fucking long that he can't get it up anymore so what else is there for the boy to do except get a war on :shurg:

[bdamomma]

13. Is August becoming the October surprise??

is it because Congress is on vacation, oh, well, Congress is always on vacation. I mean :wtf: