LETTERS: August 23

Georgia-Russia-South Ossetia

Re: “An August surprise, Georgia-Russia conflict explodes on world scene.” Russia, like the United States, is an aggressor. Until South Ossetia is officially no longer part of Georgia, neither the U.S. nor Russia should interfere with the internal affairs of the sovereign and independent state. The rebel provinces are still Georgian territory. Russia and Georgia are following the Bush policy of “do as I say not as I do.” Russia is wrong, Georgia is right as long as South Ossetia is their territory. South Ossetia is not recognized as a sovereign and independent state yet. The U.S. has no standing since it invaded two sovereign and independent states.

In addition, Russia is now threatening to attack Poland, another sovereign and independent state, over a missile defense system. Poland approved the missile defense system, therefore Russia must not be allowed to interfere with their affairs. Common sense must prevail, not pointless politics from the left and right. Does the phrase “mind your own business” ring a bell?

Brian Koba
Via pww.org ‘comments’

Before our country becomes involved in another armed conflict, where it is just now attempting to fight two wars at the same time in Iraq and Afghanistan, let us examine the facts in regards to the Georgian-Russian conflict that can be gleaned from the various news reports:

President Saakashvili has allowed Georgia to become a military base, complete with rearming the Georgian army with American equipment. Georgia lies on the border with Russia. If Russia were to do this to the United States and with either Cuba or Mexico, what would be our response?

What has been obliterated from most news reports is that Georgia first attacked South Ossetia, killing 2,000 people in the process before the Russians responded.
Knowing the real relationship of international forces, including the fact that one of Sen. McCain’s advisors is a paid lobbyist for Georgia, is this not a bloody provocation to rally around the flag of McCain?

This seems very much like a family taking a long car trip with two pre-teen siblings in the back. First the younger pokes the older sibling until the older gets mad and punches back. At this point the parent not driving the car turns around and tells them both to stop it.

Emil Shaw
Rio Rancho NM

Excuse me, but wasn’t it Georgia that launched a military operation against the break-away republic of South Ossetia to bring the pro-Russian region under their control? Georgia, some claim, is a U.S. outpost in Russia’s backyard. Yes, it is a so-called democracy. But for Russia it was 9/11 and the Cuba missile crisis rolled into one. True, Russia launched an overwhelming counterattack against Georgia. But what do you call “shock and awe” against Iraq when the charges against Iraq harboring al Qaeda and weapons of mass destruction were as phony as a three-dollar bill?

And what are John McCain and his campaign manager (who happens to be the chief lobbyist for Georgia) doing in the thick of it? The whole thing reeks of oil and pipelines and other covert reasons for our so-called interests. Please, spare me World War III.

Genevieve Fraser
Orange MA

Meeting sisters and brothers for change

I attended a house party for the Obama campaign. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I invited some steelworker friends to attend, as well. I have to say that we really felt at home.

It was held at the nearby home of a retired machinist and his wife. A wonderful, small comfortable place. Around 10 people attended, all working folks. My friends and I all had horror stories to tell about how the Bush administration had stolen my pension, helped the company break the union at my friend’s shop and close my other friend’s shop. We weren’t sure how they’d all respond.

It turned out that we were among brothers and sisters here! The home’s owner spoke of the Bush administration intervening to defeat a bill that would’ve allowed them to retire earlier, then forced through the worst work rules. Another spoke of the horrible role that the administration played, attacking the rights and work rules of railroad workers. Another woman, who was legally blind, talked of the Bush administration cutting back on aid. All present said that their lives were economically much worse off since Bush came to power.

All (except for us) were getting involved in politics this year for the first time ever. In fact, the hostess wanted to borrow two voter registration forms. It seems that her 82-year-old mother, as well as her mother’s 79-year-old sister, has never voted. They had been talking with them and they have decided to finally register, and vote, this year. They both will vote for Obama and a straight Democratic ticket. “For change,” she said.
We are planning to stay in touch, work and get involved together — for change!

Bruce Bostick
Columbus OH

War

I was sleeping.
They wake me up.
No, it was not a nightmare:
I am in the war.

Teresinka Pereira
Toledo OH