McCain vows to back former Soviet 'captive' states

[maddezmom]

Source: AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Republican White House hopeful John McCain vowed Monday to stand with "brave" new democracies that were once "captive" of the Soviet Union, and slammed the judgement of his Democratic foe Barack Obama.

McCain stepped up his attacks on Obama, arguing that turbulent world events like Russia's clash with Georgia and his rival's initial opposition to the Iraq troop surge plan had showed his leadership skills as lacking.

"The Cold War is over, the Soviet empire is gone and neither one is missed," McCain told a convention of US military veterans in Florida.

"Least of all is that empire missed by the once captive nations of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine and Georgia.



Read more: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ipZZEoDtvWsiX7MlqXq...

[Mudoria]

1. Even McCain is right once in awhile.

[Javaman]

4. sadly, no. he's never right. this is all about protecting a pipeline that

runs through Georgia.

if moron* and his room full of dopes actually engaged in diplomacy rather that inflammatory rhetoric, we wouldn't be where we are today. That and Iraq of course.

mcsame is doing nothing more than pushing morons* ball down the field.

[wuushew]

5. An independent country of Georgia has not existed for hundreds of years

and even then under the rule of the Persians and Ottomans prior to the Russians.

If we used McCain's "logic" should not we also give back the South Western United States to Mexico?

[Igel]

13. Georgia was independent in the early 1920s.

It was independent for just a few years less--3-4--in the last few hundred years than Taiwan was ruled by the same government that ruled mainline China.

And, even under the Ottomans, it wasn't always a solid rule, with Persians and Ottomans both having various local leaders acknowledging the authority of one or the other, and allegiances shifting--often under threat of military action. The result in that kind of situation isn't a clear rule by either authority, but local satrapies. Not uncommon in some areas--preserve local autonomy, gain overall bragging rights, neither of which matters at the capital except to make the ruler happy or sad at the prospect of making his opposite sad or happy.

Rather like the status of some colonies under European domination, and under Soviet domination, to be honest. So I guess that we have to consider whether a country's been free of Western imperialism in the medium term before we allow its people to have rights, as well.

Odd perspective to take, if you ask me. Then again, nobody did.

[AlphaCentauri]

6. Yeah right! what about the 'captive' states of Chiquita, Exxon and others

who is going to support them

[onehandle]

2. In other words, elect me or Obama will let Russia become the Soviet Union again.

Fear. It's all they got. Message received, McBush.

[CatholicEdHead]

7. Better platform than you think

Go to many right wing boards and they are still scared stiff over communists.

[YDogg]

9. I think they are just stiff over communists.

[Hugabear]

3. And what, pray tell, are we going to do about it?

What IF Russia decides to invade the Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania - all former members of the USSR? Does anyone seriously think that we're willing to go to war over that? Risk a nuclear exchange? Short of Russia attacking Poland, which is now a member of NATO, and where we currently have forces stationed, I can't imagine us getting involved militarily.

So if we're not going willing to go to war with Russia, what can we do? Forget about the UN doing anything meaningful, as long as Russia has their Security Council veto.

[paparush]

8. Including Czecho-by-god-Slovakia!

[Ganja Ninja]

10. I think we're at a greater danger right now then we were at ...

anytime during the cold war.

If we keep (s)electing crazy idiots like McCain & Bush the Russians may see it as their chance to stage a preemptive strike. I just can't help but feel they are sitting back rolling their eyes and shaking their heads. They are looking at us like a prize fighter who's opponent is out on his feet and needs one good blow to finnish him off.

[davidinalameda]

11. I don't trust Putin and the Russians any more than I trust Bush

[Vidar]

12. Two wars we are losing aren't enough for you, John. Go ahead & invade Russia--it worked real well

for Hitler & Napoleon.