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You know Jerome.

A simple explanation of why the Russian "energy weapon" idea is not true would do wonders for easing some of the anxiety that makes people on Daily Kos think that the Russians are evil and must be destroyed.

Remember what I said about Obama opposing the Iraq war because he thought it was the wrong war, not because war is wrong.  And the difference is lost on his supporters.  Because they are afraid. And it's having the information why they needn't be afraid that allows them to escape that.  

But, alas we are all kept in the dark, and forced to listen to stories of how Russia invaded Georgia, missung that vital part about Georgia's attack on South Ossetia.

And I'll give my consent to any government that does not deny a man a living wage-Billy Bragg

by ManfromMiddletown (manfrommiddletown at lycos dot com) on Wed Aug 13th, 2008 at 06:23:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]


"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
by poemless on Wed Aug 13th, 2008 at 06:26:49 PM EST
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how existential of you.

And I'll give my consent to any government that does not deny a man a living wage-Billy Bragg
by ManfromMiddletown (manfrommiddletown at lycos dot com) on Wed Aug 13th, 2008 at 06:28:03 PM EST
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Ooh, don't know what happened there, but I was going to add, he should stop by Booman while he's at it.  They've a lovely "Russia is going to take over Georgia and Ukraine and we can do nothing about it because they have all the oil" diary on the FP.

I'd do it, but I'm at the end of my rope, in no mood to be polite.

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Wed Aug 13th, 2008 at 06:28:59 PM EST
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I have the info.  

I should write something up.

Like how European countries get excellent gas rates from Russia, and are set by long term contracts.

And I'll give my consent to any government that does not deny a man a living wage-Billy Bragg

by ManfromMiddletown (manfrommiddletown at lycos dot com) on Wed Aug 13th, 2008 at 06:52:16 PM EST
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As the average American views oil and energy in general in exclusively conspiratorial terms, there is nothing to be done about any of this.

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Thu Aug 14th, 2008 at 02:26:44 AM EST
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This is a barrel of fun...

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
by poemless on Wed Aug 13th, 2008 at 06:39:10 PM EST
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So, I posted it at Eurotrib, too.

-----

The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.
W. Churchill
by US expat Ukraine on Thu Aug 14th, 2008 at 12:07:56 AM EST
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Putin deserves no more respect than Bush does.

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Thu Aug 14th, 2008 at 02:29:08 AM EST
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Putin is at least reasonably competent. He does realpolitik. And he is aware of the consequences of his actions. I can respect that in the same way and to the same extent that I can respect Truman or de Gaulle. Bush couldn't find realpolitik with landing lights, automated approach control, ground radar and instructions from the tower. Worse, he doesn't seem to even try.

- Jake

Friends come and go. Enemies accumulate.

by JakeS (JangoSierra 'at' gmail 'dot' com) on Thu Aug 14th, 2008 at 03:07:54 AM EST
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Putin is at least reasonably competent. He does realpolitik. And he is aware of the consequences of his actions.

None of these things make me want to respect him.

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Thu Aug 14th, 2008 at 03:11:25 AM EST
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I suppose it comes down to which hat you're wearing - pro-peace and freedom leftist, or history book reading realist.

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Thu Aug 14th, 2008 at 03:19:00 AM EST
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A little of both. Mostly I think the world would be a safer place with more Putins and rather fewer Bushes around. Of course the world would be an even safer place with neither kind of leadership in command of great powers (and without great powers to begin with...) - no argument there - but that doesn't really seem to be on offer, unfortunately...

- Jake

Friends come and go. Enemies accumulate.

by JakeS (JangoSierra 'at' gmail 'dot' com) on Thu Aug 14th, 2008 at 07:49:34 AM EST
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Why would the Americans care about the "energy weapon"? It's mostly about gas supply to Europe and as far as I can read, the kind of gas they supply couldn't in any event be transported to the US.

- Jake

Friends come and go. Enemies accumulate.

by JakeS (JangoSierra 'at' gmail 'dot' com) on Thu Aug 14th, 2008 at 12:18:37 AM EST
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Because the generation of Americans that's now in power came of age during the peak of the Cold War, and think that Russia is evil, simply evil. So we have to stop their every move, because it could be a Russki trap.

And I'll give my consent to any government that does not deny a man a living wage-Billy Bragg
by ManfromMiddletown (manfrommiddletown at lycos dot com) on Thu Aug 14th, 2008 at 03:09:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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