The United States Speaks And Russia Doesn't Listen

The invasion of Georgia by Russian troops continues onward as the Georgian military reports that they have pulled out of South Ossetia. The Georgian government, allies of the US, has asked for a cease fire and to start negotiations with the Russians in order to settle the issue peacefully. The Russians have not ceased their military offensive operations as they have continued to utilize air strikes, tactical missile attacks, and naval blockade of the country by the navy. The Russian military operation has gone well beyond rescuing their "peace-keepers" in South Ossetia or protecting their citizens.

In the impotent UN Security Council, the US used the forum to verbally strike out at Russia (a standing member if the Council with veto power). The US accused Russia of wanting to overthrow the government of a popular elected pro-US president (who is as corrupt as any politician that has been in Congress as long as, let's say, John McCain has). The Russian response?

Do you even need to ask?

Denial.

Of course. Did anyone expect any other response? This is the Cold War all over again. The US blames Russia for some indiscretion. The Russians respond by denying, threatening, and blaming everyone else for their indiscretions. On and on like a bad mob movie where each side whacks a capo on the other side for evil deeds like looking at them the wrong way or crossing the road. Russia is familiar with this game, they have played it before. They are experts. And so are we. So what's the point? No one can believe clearly what anyone speaking on behalf of Russia or the US anyways.

Luckily, all of this banter is just words. It is isn't sending naval fleets and nuclear submarines across the globe to play chicken with one another like in the good ole' days. Yet. I do not expect that the US will do anything about this crisis that Russia is embroiled in except launch verbal volleys back and forth like Nadal and Federer at Wimbledon. The Russians, who clearly are doing what the US would have done in the same situation and also what they would love to do to the state of California, will do what they want. They will conduct this invasion on their own terms. They will react like jilted fourteen year old girls when their best friend steals their boyfriend (like he was really all that anyways) by overreacting, becoming histrionic, and vengeful. The wise move for the Russians at this point is to do the opposite of what is expected. They have reportedly driven the Georgian military out of South Ossetia, which was their initial "stated" goal. It is time for them to sit at the table and negotiate a cease fire and subsequently develop a reasonable plan that will allow the people of South Ossetia to rebuild their lives and determine their fate independently.

The Russians also should not listen to the Americans. The Americans feel completely obligated to denounce the Russians action's as being heavy handed and "disproportionate." So, let me ask, how proportionate was it to invade and occupy Iraq when that country had nothing to do with 9/11? For the US to say anything about Russia's maneuvers in Georgia is pure hypocrisy. The US feels that they have to speak out on this issue mainly because everyone wants to know what we think. However, the United States response rings as hollow as Brett Favre's retirement announcement(s). No wonder no one listens to the US anymore...except for a laugh.