U.S. doesn't rush Russia = Bushies pledges consequences for war, but fuzzy on specifics

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1112876,CST-NWS-geo18.article

August 18, 2008

BY DEB RIECHMANN

CRAWFORD, Texas -- The United States on Sunday accused Russia of stalling its military pullback in Georgia, but the Bush administration is not rushing to repudiate Moscow for its actions.

The White House is struggling to figure out the best way to penalize Russia.

It doesn't want to deeply damage existing cooperation on Iran or discourage Moscow from further integrating itself into global economic and political institutions. At the same time, U.S. officials say Russia can't be allowed to get away with invading its neighbor. snip

''There's no doubt there will be further consequences,'' said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

But neither Rice nor Defense Secretary Robert Gates would be specific about what punitive actions the United States might take.

[madokie]

1. could it be the Ruskies just neutered bushco

I think maybe Putin is a little smarter than the whole of the oily bastards.

[gratuitous]

2. Oh, it's probably enough to talk tough

After all, what else can this corrupt administration do? It's not like they have any choices except "take it and like it." I suppose they could take it and like it a little less, but the Russians have never been terribly impressed by tough talk with nothing to back it up. And they know darned well that the United States doesn't have any leverage - military, economic, diplomatic or moral - to support their talk.

Thank you, George W. Bush. Thank you, Republicans.

[Arctic Dave]

3. I think the only option the US has is to sell more

military hardware to the Russian border countries. The MIC is orgasmic about this entire event.