The Russian invasion of the former Soviet republic of Georgia comes at an unfortunate time. During the Olympics, which symbolizes world unity and sportsmanship.
Not that an invasion at any other time wouldn't have resulted in casualties anyway. But starting a conflict during the Olympics is considered bad form on the world stage.
But an interesting counter symbol to the conflict occurred yesterday. When competing Olympians from Russia and Georgia embraced at the Games.
This serves as a reminder that wars are not about peoples hating one another. Wars are about decisions by governments. The people those governments profess to represent don't get a vote on this, the most important public policy issue, that affects their lives.
4 comments:
What's the difference when the invasion takes place? War is war. People get killed. They are just as dead after the Olympics than they are during the Games.
This is all about oil flowing through teh disputed territories of Georgia. It pits the United States against Russia, not over political ideology, but over finite resources of oil.
Scott from Canada has been trying to tell you this, Gary, for weeks. I hope you're finally listening to what one of your more informed callers has to say.
Timing is "unfortunate?" As in coincidental?
The Russians figured with the media's attention on the Olympics this would be ignored. It backfired on them.
By the way, what media assets are there in Georgia? I heard of this invasion first on News Talk Online on Paltalk. Long before the mainstream media started covering it.
Of course, they've pretty much stopped covering the war in Iraq so why would they cover Georgia?
I agree with Gary, that it's not individuals who have the issues, but that of Political priorities.
Maybe Georgia did choose their time to coincide with the opening of the Olympics in the hope that the euphoria of the razzamataz would in some way disguise it - but if that were the case they underestimated that cold fish, Putin. I think what has surprised me is the way in which the Russians have punished the Georgians for their seeming audacity by bombing deep into Georgian countryside. The message is clear and unequivacal from Russia - don't mess with us. I guess my question is, is this just a message to the Georgians, or is it to the West in general?
America has an interest in the region, with Bush having pledged his support in the past. Europe also has a vested interest since the oil pipeline runs through the region, and should this be controled by Russia then all of European similar resources would be subject to Russian control.
It will be interesting to hear people's views this evening.
"..Starting a conflict during the Olympics is considered bad form on the world stage?"
I haven't watched the Olympics since 1972. Care to guess why?
Sylvia_Lovejoy
Post a Comment