They Did What !

Watching President Bush and John McCain speak with such moral indignation about Russia’s attack on Georgia is ludicrous. The invasion of Iraq puts both Bush and McCain in a “do as I say not as I do” position making their words ring hollow.

At least Obama’s condemnation of Russia’s actions lines up with his stand on the Iraq invasion. But America must bear some responsibility for opening the door to such attacks - a consequence predicted when Bush defied world opinion and international law to invade Iraq.

Using the situation as a photo op, McCain attempted to look presidential voicing righteous anger over Russia’s attack on Georgia. Unfortunately, in addition to sounding like a hypocrite, he stumbled over the words while reading his prepared statement; all in all, not a very presidential result. The pot calling the kettle black isn’t a very effective tactic.

That aside, Russia’s aggressive action should serve as a wake-up call to those who seem to ignore the moves this country has been making to interject itself into world politics and increase its power status. Using its vast natural gas reserves to move into a position of power in the European market, Russia would be in a very strong position to influence how Europe’s leading industrial companies are run. And we have already seen that the Kremlin will not hesitate to use its pipeline monopoly to intimidate and manipulate the political process of its customer countries.

Unrecognized by many and ignored by others is the fact that Iran is the one country that can offer a sufficient alternative source of natural gas to Europe. That would reduce their dependence on, and therefore susceptibility to, Russian intimidation. But as long as the United States continues to see the Iranian nuclear program as the only important issue in dealing with Iran, and continues the failed policy of sanctions against them, Iran cannot even become a competitor in the European market.

The possibility that Bush/Chaney will start a war with Iran before they leave office is unnerving to say the least. Already at war on two fronts, Iraq and Afghanistan, it is generally agreed by American citizens and military experts that we do not have the manpower for another war. But our incapable-of-complex-thinking president and his ego-bound-arrogant-to-the-point-of-stupidity VP, with one issue tunnel vision, continue to escalate sanctions against Iran.

We cannot sit quietly by while our Congress is once again manipulated with fear and false reasoning into acquiescing to a preemptive strike against yet another sovereign state. The American people must let it be known, loud and clear, that we will not allow our country to be used to further the agenda of the few. Those who would use and abuse the power of their positions, without regard to the consequences for the many, must not be allowed to succeed a second time. So heed the warning of Russia’s power play against Georgia, and realize that it is in the best interests of Europe and the United States to have Iran as an ally, not an enemy.

We will have a new president in January, and a couple of months later, Iran will have their election and very possibly a less confrontational new president. These changes offer the prospect of a peaceful and mutually beneficial resolution for Iran, the U.S. and Europe…IF …we stop the Bush/Cheney push for war with Iran.