Georgia had the opportunity to be perceived as the good guy defending its own sovereign, internationally recognized borders, but blew that opportunity by bombing a city inhabited by non-Georgian Ossetians.

Russia had the opportunity to be perceived as the good guy, coming to the defense of the bombed Ossetians, but blew that opportunity by rampaging through Georgian villages and towns.

Now the USA has the opportunity to be perceived as the good guy, reporting the situation objectively and frankly and striving to resolve the conflict in a restrained and constructive manner. I hope we don’t blow our own opportunity.