Membership in a club confers certain rights, privileges and responsibilities on its members. In spite of all the would’a, should’a could’a, Georgia is NOT a member of NATO. They are an ally, sure, a vigorously budding democracy, yes, and a partner of the US in a strategic part of the world, definitely. BUT, they are not a member of NATO. I think that distinction is on of the “lines in the sand” Wretchard has referred to in some of his posts. There are many things countries friendly to Georgia can do (and hopefully are), but that “line” defines and constrains what all concerned parties can do now. Events should somehow clarify where that line is.
NATO is not dead; indeed, it will become stronger because of Russia’s aggression.
Besides, it seems that Russia couldn’t pull it off.