Pantagraph.com | Letters | U.S. headed for unneeded confrontation with Russia

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

The Cat wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:14 PM:

" OGS: Putin is taking an OFFENSIVE stance against the West and his neighbors are seeking Western ties and alliances because of the renewed Russian threat that not only includes the Georgia invasion and threats against Poland and Ukraine, but renewed offensive bomber flights off the US and European coast, threats of missiles in Cuba (ala 1962), and assassinations of his opposition and critics at home and overseas. Sounds a lot like the old USSR from the former head of the KGB. You leftists and isolationist keep your ostrich heads firmly in the ground and your anti Bush/anti US rhetoric flowing the part of your body firmly raised in the air in that position (your rectum). "

The Cat wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:03 PM:

" Greed: Since you brought up Bubba perhaps you would like to defend his illegal Balkan war, failure to get OBL numerous times when he was in his sights, Somalia debacle, failure to respond to other terror attacks, firing all US attorneys (except 1), and lying about everything and anything. Perhaps you will explain how things will get better with energy and expenditures under a Donkey administration with the likes of czarina Nancy and brainless Harry in charge in congress based on their current stonewalling any energy initiatives and big spending bills (farm bill, “housing” bill, and Global Poverty Act as examples). OGS: It may have escaped you attention since you only appear to listen to leftwing sources like DNC News, DailyChaos, etc, but congress approved the Iraq action (Shrillary and Kerry voted for it) and they approved the 1991 action that ended in a ceasefire agreement that Saddam violated repeatedly that was sufficient legal justification for the invasion without the 2002 authorization. "

Tom Terrific wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:29 PM:

" Well OGS. Congress voted to go to war. No matter how many times they say they are against it now, they were for it then and have done nothing to bring the troops home. "

OGS wrote on Sep 1, 2008 5:51 PM:

" NATO and the Bush regime SHOULD BE BLAMED for awakening the sleeping Bear of Russia. They are encircling their borders and arming those areas. Putin is taking a defensive posture rather than rolling over for those who mean his country harm. What would you do? Would you cry out for forgiveness and be a succumb to the obvious threat? Or would you prepare to defend your country? "

OGS wrote on Sep 1, 2008 5:41 PM:

" to the Pseudo-interfectional
Oh thank you pseudo. How nice of you to ask me to help educate your feebleness. During a meeting regarding the Patriot Act, George Bush said, " The Constitution is just a G*dd*mmed piece of paper!" This quote has been confirmed by an aid and three others present at the time. Oh please don't ask for proof. You won't publicly admit it here. Google it and prove it to yourself. Further the signing of the 700 page Patriot Act that just happened to be ready right after 9/11 severely limits the Constitutional rights of poor saps like you and me. Also dub-ya and this congress has worked in unison to dismantle the Constitutional rights of us all. They remain above the law, just ask them. Laws are for their enemies. It is very easy to google for the information, that is, if this subject matter is important to you. Good luck with your search pseudo, as it is your rights that are at stake. Oh yeah, search SB 1959 which will rear it's ugly head again after the election. "

Rational Humanist wrote on Sep 1, 2008 4:52 PM:

" Bush and McCain DO desperately need the conflict. How else can one peddle fear? Ruling by fear has long been the Republicans first choice. This is but one of the many ways in which McCain is Bush regurgitated. "

OGS wrote on Sep 1, 2008 11:34 AM:

" to ktlin
I'm guessing that you are news junkie glued to the tube 24/7 soaking up as much MSNBC, Fix Views, etc. that you can. Please, please, please get some international sites into your discovery and learn to sift through the bull. What's the quote I'm thinking of,,,who said it? "A mind is a beautiful thing to waste." "

OGS wrote on Sep 1, 2008 11:31 AM:

" An act of war must be declared by congress. Otherwise it is an illegal war. "

pseudo-intellectual wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:45 AM:

" OGS, I stopped reading your comments after the claim that Bush has dismantled the U.S. Constitution. What a crock of you-know-what. Unless you consider it un-Constitutional for airport officials to sniff your shoes before you get on an airplane, give us evidence of this "dismantling", or stifle yourself. "

pseudo-intellectual wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:42 AM:

" Putin is acting a lot like Hitler in the lead-up to World War II. He's done his research well- Hitler used an attack by Poland as his excuse to invade; very similar. Of course this followed years of appeasement by Europe which emboldened Hitler to expand his reach. Russia may be"flush" with cash at the moment, but it can't live without outside investments from the West. Without continuing investment Russia's economy will dry up, and it was the economy (stupid) that caused the collapse of the Soviet Union. Putin and the Russians are returning to the vomit of their old-style, Stalinistic bullying ways. You can't blame Bush for Putin's instability. "

greed wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:38 AM:

" Bush's invasion of Iraq was no more illegal than Hitler's invasion of Poland in 1939. There are no provisions in international law for pre-emptive invasions. In South Ossetia, Russia had the right of self defense as 500 Russian peacekeepers there due to prior agreements with Georgia were attacked by Georgia and her Israeli and American military advisers. I am amazed by those smart enough to use a computer that still get their news from domestic sources, even after Bush's Regime used it to make the phony case for Invading Iraq. Domestic news is filtered to suit this government. There is no such thing here as "The Liberal Media." Some of the best news sources are Israeli Newspapers, London Times and Telegraph, along with Spain's El Pais in English (pdf). "

Tom Terrific wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:59 AM:

" Illegal war in Iraq? I just have to ask. What law was broken? If you can't name a law that was broken then it's not illegal, just poorly planned and carried out. Not against the law to be incompetent. "

ktlin wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:14 AM:

" to OGS: I do not think it would start WWIII. However, I think it would restart the cold war. And the fact that McCain threatened them with anything shows his bad judgment. Bush looked into Putins eyes and saw a friend. Apparently McCain looked into his eyes (maybe not) but assumed he is an enemy. Threatening a country is not the way to make them your friend. He did it I am sure to appear strong politically. He doesn't realize that threatening someone does not guarantee you look strong it can make appear like a bully. We don't need to appear like the world's bully right now. We look like that too much already. We need to appear strong but nice. Those are not homonyms. "

OGS wrote on Sep 1, 2008 12:58 AM:

" Here is the problem with Bush. Wat Tyler pay attention. Since 2001 dub-ya is the President and is guilty of presiding over the dismantling of the US Constitution, illegal war with Iraq, endorsing torture, a collapsing economy, a coming police state etc. Granted other before him have done a poor job in many areas as well, But it is his job now and he needs to take ACTION NOW to set this country on the right path. However, that will not happen because he is a globalist and doesn't care bout this country. Get it? IMPEACH! He is not one of us whether you get it or not. "

OGS wrote on Sep 1, 2008 12:51 AM:

" To albundy54 8/31 7:14 PM
Last time I checked, all the ranting and raving of complaints that you have with "greed" exercising his/her rights to dissent are guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. If you don't support the founding documents of the USA albundy54, maybe it is you that should seek a new place to dwell. WHo do you think you are? "

OGS wrote on Sep 1, 2008 12:46 AM:

" Good letter Gil, it's too bad that the dumbing down of America is so obvious here at this site. Too many spend their time listening to O'Reilly, Wolf Blitzer, and Fixed Views (Fox News). Before I am accused of proclaiming that the sky is falling, a conflict with Russia will undoubtedly start WWIII with nuclear weapons, no question. Dwight Eisenhower noted that we should all be aware of the military industrial complex. How true, how true. NATO has encircled Russia and has threatened a pre-emptive nuclear strike. The neo-cons in Wash DC are completely INSANE, and anyone who can't see it, is completely out of touch. Wake up people! Search the internet world news and graduate to putting 3+3+3 together. I know that seems like a lot to some of you, but give it a try. "

kl70 wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:54 PM:

" Sigh...There had always been Russians in South Ossetia and long before the collapse of the former Soviet Union. It was decided in 1991 in a mutual agreement between Russia and Georgia that there would be a Russian peace keeping force which would remain in South Ossetia after the break up of the Soviet Union. Georgia attacked the small province and killed 2000 Russians. Why is there no discussion of this in the Western media ? This would be similar to México saying that Texas was once part of México and then attacking. Wouldnt you expect the same response from the US government ? "

ktlin wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:14 PM:

" Yes Wat: But what gets me after all the endless accusations against Bush for years, a lot of people in the GOP have turned right around and done the same thing with Obama. Why can't this be a discussion of issues. Instead everything he has done since birth has been questioned and lied about. I am not exaggerating either. Issues are fair game. Lies aren't. Why get mad about what happened to Bush if the same people getting mad or the ones doing same thing to Obama. Is turn about fair play suddenly? If it is so right don't get mad about how Bush has been treated. "

ktlin wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:08 PM:

" Annienap: I thought McCain was your man? Lobbyists? Georgia? McCain camp? Threatening to kick them out of G8? If McCain is elected Russia is immediately our enemy. He has already threatened them. With that diplomacy by force thing which really doesn't exist. I think you better analyze the positions one by one. Healthcare and how it could turn into a disaster. His new vp pick which could turn into a disaster. Immigration. Tax cuts for gas companies. Staying in Iraq now against Bush's wishes since we can't surrender now. This should no longer be Rep against Dem, this should be issue against issue and not just rhetoric to get votes on either side. We have had enough of special interest groups and lobbyists. We shouldn't just vote them in by pretending they aren't there. "

greed wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:52 PM:

" Abundy54, just because I hate seeing our military misused by the trainwreck your bunch installed, doesn't mean I don't love my country. Your bunch hated Clinton over a love affair. I dislike Bush because of his bullying warmongering, lying to start a war (among other things), His failure to prevent the 9/11 attack despite specific warnings, his record deficits, firing US Attorneys, torture, and $4 gas. I served in our military for 3 years, and I pay taxes, so don't portray yourself to be more patriotic than I because you have a “Support Our Troops” magnet on your SUV guzzler. The worldwide disgrace we suffered because of Bush will take decades to overcome. I can say with a clear conscience, I didn't vote for Bush, and I will be glad he is out of power. "

albundy54 wrote on Aug 31, 2008 7:14 PM:

" Greed your negative comments and what seems a blatant hatred of America is getting old. If Russia is such a far superior nation, why on earth are you here and not there? I think people such as yourself should take your anti-capitalistic viewpoints and defect to one of these socialistic havens. At least then we would be rid of your indignant and mundane rhetoric. By your numerous posts on a regular basis you are not happy with our president, nor the direction the country is going. It is time for you to get yourself out and move to some socialistic society that you are comfortable with. We won't miss you nor will we give you a second thought. "

Greed wrote on Aug 31, 2008 6:11 PM:

" Iraq is half the size of Texas. 27 million people, with a literacy rate of 55%. 5-1/2 years and it still isn't conquered. Russia is larger than us, 142 million people, and has advanced military hardware. Our fuel guzzling turbine tanks, which must be followed by a huge, vulnerable, fuel convoy, would never get there. What is really stupid is Afghanistan. We watched Russia spend 10 years there before deciding it wasn't worth Russian blood. So Mister Show-off decides to out do his dad, and involve us in a war there, instead of looking for Bin Laden. Then he fabricates the case to attack Iraq, just like his dad did. What you whiners won't admit is Bush is a agitator. The attack on South Ossetia was probably instigated by Bush. Surely Putin had Georgian informants, because the Russians were ready to counterattack. There are reports that Israel and U.S. both had military advisers with The Georgian Army when it attacked South Ossetia. 60 to 70% of South Ossetians are Russian. Along with South Ossetia and Abkhezia, look for Russia to annex Transnistria, from Moldova, and The Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. Both have large ethnic Russian populations. "

Wat Tyler wrote on Aug 31, 2008 5:48 PM:

" It is just too bad that Obama sn't running against Bush, but that simple fact doesn't stop the lefties from proclaiming that every bad thing is Bush's fault. Oil is high because demand is up and Congress, Pelosi and her enablers in the Democrat Party, have decided to deny our country the ability to provide their own oil. Pelosi says we can't drill our way out of the high oil prices. It sounds to me like High Oil prices are the result of Pelosi and the Democrats, not President Bush and the Republicans.
Gilbert is pulling a Chicken Little act here, Bush isn't looking to go to war with Russia. "

excuseme wrote on Aug 31, 2008 5:11 PM:

" "...bomb, bomb, bomb....bomb bomb Iran." "

Burns wrote on Aug 31, 2008 4:35 PM:

" Russia invaded Georgia because of acceptance of an independent Kosovo, that's it. That's why they're staying as well in Ossetia. However, this was a major miscalculation on Putin's part since they've acquired a scrap of land about the size of McClean County and nothing of value (they could've taken the oil pipeline), while energizing just about every former Soviet satellite into joining NATO or at least warming up to the West, even Belarus (wow). Enjoy your victory, Putin, you just screwed Russia for the next 10 years and we didn't have to fire a shot (again). "

usaeagle wrote on Aug 31, 2008 3:21 PM:

" a conflict with Russia? We will lose. No if's, and's, but's or maybe's. As for Russian aggression, how about the agressive policies of the United States toward any country we can not control or exploit. "

gad wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:33 AM:

" oh btw.....i have a prediction.......if the nuancing moron gets elected.......we'll have a bigger confrontation with russia. "

gad wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:30 AM:

" gil, don't ya think russia is already supplying our "enemies" with weapons and nuc-u-lur technology? no one wants a war with russia. but they are like a bully that ya need to punch in the nose to get his attention. "

albundy54 wrote on Aug 31, 2008 7:29 AM:

" Gil where have you been? Russia has a few bucks now mostly because of the sale of those sophisticated weapons you say they could possibly supply. Truth is Gil you are just another liberal who wants it both ways. You whine and cry that the U.S. should not be a single superpower and that we should aid those countries less fortunate than us. Now you have Russia a rogue nation attacking a soveirgn nation to prove a point to the rest of the region. Gil you just cant help yourself from taking a cheap shot a Bush and you must have a crystal ball to make a statement like, "Bush is determined to get us into another conflict". If any actions are taken it will be taken by U.N. forces not the U.S. Get it together Gil you are making yourself look bad. "

Archie Goodwin wrote on Aug 31, 2008 6:36 AM:

" "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." --Aristotle

It is the mark of a simple mind that can only cut and paste from the Daily Kos, thus relieving it of the responsibility of independent thought. Nice try, though, Gilbert. "

Sigh wrote on Aug 31, 2008 1:59 AM:

" Russia used South Ossetia as an excuse to invade Georgia. They inflamed the situation (one which they helped create by flooding the province with foreigners just before the USSR collapsed) by helping the South Ossetians make military strikes into Georgia. Then when Georgia responded they used that as an excuse to invade. Russia hasn't even tried to hide that this was a power play and a land grab and also an attempt to take over the regional oil pipeline, fortunatly the U.S. and many other countries stood up and used diplomacy to make them back down somewhat. Oh yeah and Russian troops were raping and pillaging everything they could find in the parts of Georgia they controlled, nice group to side with there. "

Sigh wrote on Aug 31, 2008 1:47 AM:

" Instead of sending in the military he has used diplomacy to turn world opinion against Russia without involving the U.S. military, something that he would have been well within his right in doing as Georgia is our ally. Yep, sure sounds like he is trying to start a war to me. "

Annienap wrote on Aug 31, 2008 1:02 AM:

" Sure looks to me like Bush is hell bent on getting us into another conflict before he leaves office. Kind of brings the word traitor to mind for some reason. As I was taught over 40 years ago, it was the president's duty to protect his country above all else. I thought that meant militarily as well as economically, but he seems to just continue to try to sell out the U.S. If he should involve us in yet another conflict, where will our military be to protect THIS land - in Georgia, Iraq, Afghanistan? He should have been impeached several years ago. "

juan wrote on Aug 31, 2008 12:41 AM:

" (That flushing sound you're hearing is Bush's idea of how this country should be run.) "

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