When we draw lines on a map or speak of lines in the sand with the language of escalation. Is there really anyway we can understand what is happening there or what is in the hearts of the people involved.There are large parts of the world that are carved up into political and economic boarder by colonial expansionism and then The Cold War.In South Ossetia we have people that want to be thought of as independent. Fine. They want to think of themselves as an autonomous people. That doesn't kill anybody, it doesn't force people from their home creating a refugee crisis.If the majority feels it's more aligned with the Russian people and are willing to repect the right of the minority with in a fully democratic system, why is this an issue that has reach a level that requires violence.By any literal definition the Russians are quilty of over-kill. But the Georgian, more then most, should understand Thier neighbors brutish nature. So to send the military into an area already occupied by peacekeepers is probably not a good idea.But this brings me to the point. Why do we the people allow our governments to lead us to war. Where innocent people will die, where children will be killed or scared for life, where neighbors will be forced from their homes and livelihoods?How it is that we allow our leaders to convince us that death and violence is the answer to any question short of genocide and self-defense.All we need to do is look to Iraq. A country that did not attack us. But now stands with potentially hundreds of thousand of dead and many more scared for life.It is true the people of Iraq lived under an extremely oppressive regime. But they had within their power as does all peoples to stand up to that oppression. A million people on the streets of Baghdad would have brought the government down.In Georgia the people from both side need to take to the streets in a peaceful movement to stop the violence and begin a dialogue of reconciliation and resolution.
Send an unarmed columns of hundreds of thousands to meet the russian troop and to South Ossetia begin a dialogue of peace and cooperation.
To follow a government into a violence base solution you have to ask yourself, Am I fighting for my country or, Am I fighting for my countries special interests?
