We seem to have short memories. The U.S. set this precedent by recognizing Kosovo independence against the wishes of Russia. Russia used that in our faces to recognize the independence of two breakaway provinces that are strongly pro-Russian. Both those provinces had previously passed referenda if I recall correctly voting for independence from Georgia.
It still doesn't change the fact that Georgia exercised collosally poor judgement.
And for all the outrage, our only disagreement appears to be that I am realist and know there is no way we are going to war over Georgia and some of you are more idealist and want to support sending strongly worded letters telling Russia how bad they are. If we really wanted to send a message, we'd get our NATO allies to start severing their economic ties to the bounty of mother Russia. But realism prevents that from happening. As long as most of NATO is interdependent on Russia, a more diplomatic approach to Russia is required, one that doesn't restart the Cold War over the temporary invasion of some minor country that punched Russia in the nose on the eve of the Olympics.
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"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalms 1:1-3
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