Nothing ruined my viewing of the Olympics quite like the news flash that Russian bombers and fighters brought down their furry upon the former Soviet State, now independent country of Georgia. Over 2,000 people have now been killed in South Ossentia.
South Ossentia is a region of Georgia which is trying to break away. This is a civil dispute within Georgia with nothing to do with Russia. Instead of allowing the country to solve its own problems, Russia has stepped in on behalf of the region of South Ossentia to fight Georgia, which is only trying to reclaim the region. Russian Prime Minister Vladimire Putin has accused Georgia of "genocide." The president of Georgia, meanwhile, is vowing to "resist until the end." So don't worry about Darfur in Sudan Mr. Putin, or the human rights violations in China. You worry about the tiny country that it just so happens used to belong to your country. Russia is acting out of the goodness of its own heart with no thought for any benefits to itself.
The whole world sees right through this maneuver. The United States has been quick to condemn Russia's involvement and demand a cease fire. The western European nations including France have also asked Russia to accept Georgia's plea for a cease-fire.
What can be said about Vladimire Putin? He is nothing but a power-hungry man hellbent upon bringing Russia back to its state at the height of the Soviet Empire. He is destroying any hope that Russia had post-cold war of becoming a healthy democratic nation.
As for what's to be done, hopefully Russia will come to its senses and cease-fire. That's doubtful, as Putin shows little record of ever choosing the sensible option. If we can get through the Olympic Games with minimal bloodshed in Georgia and no global escalation necessary, that would be lovely. Cross your fingers people...
