Annals of Irony (Or Is It Hypocrisy?)

Dr. Rice:

"Russia is a state that is unfortunately using the one tool it has always used when it wants to deliver a message . . . that's its military power," she told reporters on her airplane en route to Belgium. She said Russian bomber patrols during the last six months near the U.S. and Europe were, in particular, a "dangerous game."

Rice and President Bush have been intensifying their criticism of Russia in recent days over the fighting in Georgia.

And which state was it that invaded a sovereign nation, blah blah blah, illegal, blah, no threat, blah blah, & has been occupying it for the last five years? Russia? No, no, not Russia, it's, uh...you know, that big one on the other side from Russia, Cana–no, no, but it's near Canada, ummm, it's on the tip of my tongue... Which state invaded that same sovereign nation in 1991 after it "pulled a Georgia" & went to take back what it considered a breakaway area, Kuwait? (After, if not being encouraged, at least not told absolutely not to do it, or else. Does that sound familiar?) Are there any similarities between that & what Russia did? Not really, because Russia was dealing w/ a problem right on its border, involving people holding Russian passports (although there's plenty of suspicion about those). And which presidential candidate made the big "not in the 21st century statement," conveniently forgetting the invasion/occupation & his "surge" & all that? Two wrongs don't make a right, nor do three wrongs, or five or lebenty-zillion. As far as we're concerned here, the Russkis & the Georgians can & should both go fuck themselves w/ splintery broomsticks. None of that excuses Dr. Rice & her foolishness, however.

Rice said a strong statement from NATO leaders would show the Russians that they will not succeed in their "strategic objective" of undermining the government of Georgia and the country's democracy. U.S. officials say they recognize that North Atlantic Treaty Organization members are divided on how far to go in pushing Russia, which is a key supplier of oil and gas to Europe. But they believe they can bring stronger pressure if NATO issues even a general statement of support for the government of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, and begins a public discussion of retaliatory measures against Russia. American officials believe the Europeans have great leverage over the Russians, who want ties to the European economy.

Last paragraph must have been on "deep background" from the doc herself. Seriously, a "strong statement" will show Russia it "won't succeed?" All it has to do now is make a U-turn in the direction of Tbilisi (assuming it truly is pulling out of Georgia proper) & it's succeeded. Yeah, the Russians are really scared of those "strong statements of support." Worth the paper they're written on, that's for sure. Hurts like a slap on the wrist, too. And we'd guess they'd be happy w/ gas & oil ties to the Euro-economy. Meaning that the U. S. would have to let ProfitCo Oil loose offshore & in your backyard to keep the Euros happy. Or warm. Or watching American movies.