“How did this myth that georgia is “a vigorously budding democracy” got any roots? their government is every bit as fascistic as russian.”

Great point. I mean, every single accusation that was leveled against Putin could be made against Saakashvili. From voter fraud, to shutting down opposition media, to jailing or exiling opposition leaders, to mysterious deaths of political opponents. The US shouldn’t have allied with Saakashvili’s regime anymore than should’ve allied with Putin’s.