“Just because Germany imports 25% of their oil from Russia and 46% of their natural gas does not mean that Germany cannot change their import deals does it? Perhaps even at equal costs, or even better, or maybe a little more, nonetheless, there are alternative source countries – and Germany is not a bad producer of natural gas in it’s own right, being the 3rd largest producer in the EU. Germany could also seek alternative energy (wind, solar etc.) more aggressively as well.”

So the middle of one of those great European winters the Germans are going to discard their NG and switch to solar and wind.

Right, I got it. If only the Germans knew how easy it was.

This is always the case. I have an uncle who is a very respected trial lawyer and former DA, and another uncle who is an “investigative journalist” for Knight-Ridder – both of whom are very liberal.

I have had epic debates with both of them, and I always take great pride in the fact that it is ALWAYS my uncles who turn to profanity and ad-hom attacks. I take pride in knowing that I can make a proven trial lawyer lose his cool. I strive to always state that I respect their right to opinions, but when I flame them with the historical facts, the debate usually goes south to the world of cussing and not one of an exchange of differing ideas and opinions. This is the normal way of the liberal. They are accepting of others as long as one agrees to their ideals.

I’m all ears George.”

I’m not going to speak for George, but I will respond.

Just because Germany imports 25% of their oil from Russia and 46% of their natural gas does not mean that Germany cannot change their import deals does it? Perhaps even at equal costs, or even better, or maybe a little more, nonetheless, there are alternative source countries – and Germany is not a bad producer of natural gas in it’s own right, being the 3rd largest producer in the EU. Germany could also seek alternative energy (wind, solar etc.) more aggressively as well.

The question should be one of what will Russia do if it no longer enjoys sweet export deals with the EU?

“Someone tell me what good Europe is to us? Its like being friends with someone so they wont be your enemy. Is there nothing else? Europe should be ashamed.”

Well, given that Russia supplies 50% of Germany’s natural gas and 25% of her oil, what exactly do you want Europe to do about Russia, given that they would rather not freeze to death this winter.

I’m all ears George.

It appears that the French have won the day (in Georgia). I think the Russians were finished with their work anyway but I am certain this will be touted as a victory for diplomacy….French diplomacy no less.

Do you agree that it looked bad that Bush remained in China, being photographed with the girls’ volley ball team while Rome burned?

French Foreign Minister Kouchner was in Georgia. President Sarkozy was in Moscow. Where was Dr. Rice?

One also wonder what the US military advisers and “instructors” have been doing in Georgia during the past few years. It doesn’t look like the Georgians put up much of a fight or had the necessary weapons to at least stall a Russian attack. Think 300 Spartans.

The USA, in my opinion, comes out of this looking real bad. Russians get the gold, French get the silver. The USA goes home with nothing.

The attack on Georgia was certainly diabolical and well planned, and now he can thumb his nose at the rest of the world. However, I guess we should not really have been surprised, as BHO is saying that he has been warning us about Ossetia and Georgia for some time now.

“Who are the Joads?”

Tom Joad is a fictional character from John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath portrayed by Henry Fonda in John Ford’s film adaption.