Dude, since I wrote this, there have been, like, 5,000 reports by people more versed in the subject that I never pretended to be an expert on. But you’re commenting here just to be a dick.

I don’t have a problem with capitalism, I have a problem with pure, unchecked capitalism and unregulated market control of industry, human rights, information, technology and trade. I favor a mix of socialism and capitalism that allows opportunity, but also controls the greedier aspects of corporations and creates a social safety net.

Ok thanks but no thanks, that line and the fact that you seem to have some sort of issue with capitalism renders your opinion worthless to me.

In my view, there are no white hats in this fight, but one side surely has the overwhelming force to destroy a hell of a lot of civilization in the name of nationalism (and, one could argue, economic gain).

Thanks again for your well-thought-out post and brilliant response to, er, “the hatas”?

(BTW, I think the first commenter may have been the person I mentioned in my other comment.)

Look, the fact of that matter is that this region has been in conflict since the end of the Cold War. There’s never been a peaceful status quo. Until last weekend, however, the conflict was fought with economics, social politics, clever games of bait and respond, diplomatic relationships, and racism/religious intolerance. Figuring out “who started it” or “who is in the right” is only important when you’re talking about playground rules of fairness. None of the political leaders of the world give a shit about who did what first, except in how it plays as spin. What’s really at stake for the powerful and wealthy is access to oil supply lines, showing military dominance, and promoting politically favorable zeitgeist in their home nations.

Im writing in from India. Im no expert on the conflicts in this region, but it seems to me that it was Georgia that provoked the war by launching a full-scale offensive against the population of Southern Ossetia. Now when the Russians have response with force, the Georgians have gone crying to US and the UN, claiming that another fledgling democracy is being trampled upon by the big bad Russians!

Dont start a war if you cant end it!

Yes, it’s true that the US helped train and build up Georgian military forces. It’s all over the news. No one is really denying that and it’s a relevant fact I ought to have mentioned.

However, comparing Saakashvii to “New Hitler” wins you the first coveted Reductio ad Hitlerum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reductio_ad_Hitlerum) award for 2008. Also, in keeping with the dictates of Godwin’s law, you lose the debate.

Furthermore, your injection of Israel into this debate raises the great red flag of antisemitism, which often appears in this format before becoming full-blown Zionist conspiracy theory nonsense.

So you, my friend, lose.