“And Georgia is less of a democracy than Russia is. Yet Russia is all the time criticised for its rule and Georgia is fawned over.” – Rune

Support that statement with a few facts. Has SAAKASHVILI killed off his political opposition, killed journalists, taken control of all media outlets, nationalized major industries, appointed local government? Has he violated (read: “shredded”) the constitution (read: document that grants government the mandate to govern)? Has he invaded a neighboring country, or exported military support to terror countries such as Iran or Venezuela?

How is “Georgia less of a democracy than Russia”?

It’s statements like that which savage your own credibility. You might not be a FSB shill or Russian nationalist, be some Americans can’t believe anyone would be so foolish as to believe such tripe.

Georgia might not be an ideal democracy, but it was an independent, genuine democracy, minding it’s own business, and nothing justifies the Russian invasion of Georgia. No part of Georgia or the Ukraine belongs to Russia. If Russia finds a Black sea port strategically essential, how much more Copenhagen, Kiel, Toulon, or Portsmouth?