Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Whose Finger Do You Want On The Button?

The whole ugly affair of Russia invading Georgia does present some peculiar, and for those on the right, some very uncomfortable twists.

First, you have George Bush, who in 2001, met with Putin, looked into his eye, "sensed his soul" and liked what he saw (emphasis mine):
Respectful relations require honesty. And we did discuss areas where my country has differences with Russia -- over Chechnya, and over media relations. I also expressed my hope that Russia will develop constructive relations with its neighbors, like Georgia, that are trying to find their own way in a challenging, but hopeful world.

This was a very good meeting. And I look forward to my next meeting with President Putin in July. I very much enjoyed our time together. He's an honest, traightforward man who loves his country. He loves his family. We share a lot of values. I view him as a remarkable leader. I believe his leadership will serve Russia well. Russia and America have the opportunity to accomplish much together; we should seize it. And today, we have begun.

Even though Bush has come out condemning the actions of Putin and Russia, this does paint him as more than just a hypocrite, or as Andrew Sullivan accurately puts it:
Just imagine if the press were to discover a major jail in Gori, occupied by the Russians, where hundreds of Georgians had been dragged in off the streets and tortured and abused? What if we discovered that the orders for this emanated from the Kremlin itself? And what if we had documentary evidence of the ghastliest forms of racist, dehumanizing, abusive practices against the vulnerable as the standard operating procedure of the Russian army - because the prisoners were suspected of resisting the occupying power?
The right wing has ridiculed Senator Barack Obama for presenting a reasoned and rational reaction and recommended a sane course of action, including using political and diplomatic pressures on Russia.

But should they being saying anything? Their candidate, McCain, has taken a much stronger approach towards the situation, making things more tenuous for any influence the United States may have on the situation. This is the same McCain who thinks nothing of joking about bombing Iran. And has Dad29 has alluded to, McCain has a long history of having a very poor control on his temper.

Furthermore, there is now some concern about what McCain's motivations truly are when he urges a strong defense for Georgia. Is it because he wants to protect a young democracy that was allegedly an ally of the United States, or is it because his chief foreign policy advisor has been tapping into their coffers on a long-term basis? (Yet again, just another similarity between Bush and McCain. They really are two peas in a pod.)

It is possible McCain is confused between the state and the country, and thinks he is campaigning for the Georgian vote.

As sickening and tragic and frightening it is to see what is happening in Georgia, it does give Americans a good chance to see what the two candidates would do in a situation like this. Obama is for joining with allies to protect a country and restore peace. McCain is more worried about continuing the cash flow and putting on a show of machismo, or is maybe just having an aggressive outburst.

Whose finger do you want on the button?

3 comments:

  1. Try None of the above. BTW, I expect Sullivan to equate Gitmo with the Russians. I didn't think you agreed with that. There's a difference between aberrations and standard procedure. Just sayin'.

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  2. Putin, being a KGB lieutenant, was trained in how to make the person you're trying to sway or steal from think that you're his best friend. And that, I believe, is precisely what he did with President FAIL.

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  3. I have no idea really what Obama would do, because he's trying too hard to win so I don't think we've seen his true colors yet. McLame is a total warmonger, obviously... or has become one in order to win.

    What I found super disturbing was that Georgian lobbyist of McLame's... he's got a personal interest. McLame is so owned by lobbyists & special interests it's stiffling. Not that Obama isn't... just not to nearly the same degree.

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