It's All Just Politics

I am growing more and more annoyed at the Georgian-Russian conflict, the news coverage of it in America, and especially the Georgian President, Mikheil Saakashvili. Mr. Saakashvili, in my opinion, looks like an utter fool, standing in front of his people, begging the United States to come and have his war with Russia for him. The United States, however, would be the bigger fool if it listened.

What the American news networks like to sidestep in their discussions of this conflict is that Georgia instigated it by entering South Ossetia. The Georgian-South Ossetian dispute has been going on since before the 1920's. South Ossetia declared independence in 1990, though Georgia has not recognized it as independent. South Ossetia happens to be an ally of Russia, North Ossetia lying therein; Georgia happens to be an ally of the US.

Does this remind you of anything? Kosovo perchance? Kosovo declares independence from Serbia, and, of course, Serbia does not recognize it. The US supports Kosovo's independence, because they support the goals of the US.

Say, ten to fifteen years from now, Serbia decides to send its troops into Kosovo. Do you think the US would not respond to this? Especially if Kosovo were located on the United States border? Then suppose Serbia cries to the rest of the world that they've been invaded and are totally outraged. Who would laugh in their face?

Don't get me wrong. I understand and recognize that Russia has over-reacted, and that now they have indeed invaded Georgia proper. I also see that they are telling bold-face lie after bold-face lie to the press about their whereabouts and intentions. So, let's blame them for that. Why confuse the facts and not put blame where blame is due? Mr. Saakashvili made a huge miscalculation regarding the capabilities of the United States military forces at this time. Russia takes this opportunity to flaunt its shit.

CNN asks me, "Is Russia trying to take over the world?" Perhaps. But no more than the United States is. Russia is doing everything the United States would do. The only difference is that we live in the United States, and they live in Russia. We all want the money and the oil and the power equally. It's only weak posturing by the United States and Georgia to pretend there is anything more to this conflict.



Addendum: I later founnd out that it is not quite so clear that Georgia actually started the war; it was much more complicated and Russia was a lot to blame for it. But I still think the news coverage of the entire ordeal was confusing and lacking the depth that the situation required. I also still believe it is usually a matter of alliance, rather than objective morality when it comes to these kinds of conflicts.

Satisfied

I have a hundred loves and no love at all.

The man on the train looking at me though his paper. The clerk at the store, who now recognizes me; his hip son, who works without smiling. The men at work who smile when they see me, and the ones who don't.

Goofy men and serious men. Big boys and skinny boys. Quiet ones; rebellious ones. The ones with long hair and the ones with no hair. Intellectuals and jocks, geeks and musicians.

Glasses and beards and button up shirts. Their hands, their mouths, their shoulders.

When they let me go ahead of them. When they can't stop looking at me, even when they try.

I stand close to the men on the train and breathe them in.

Then I go home, and I feel...