Is it me, or does the media make it look like Russia's the bad guy

Question

when Georgia was the one that attacked S. Ossetia in an effort to control them?

Answer 1

The Tibet-Michigan:China-US comparison begs the question, ie assumes that Tibet is as much a part of China as Michigan is integral to the US.

Since there are two separate sovereign nations involved (and one whose sovereignty is precisely the issue), it would be more apt to say that this is like British Columbia attempting to secede, followed by Canadian troops invading, followed by US troops attacking Canadian positions in British Columbia.

Whether Georgia took unilateral action or was retaliating for earlier violence, Russia still has more to explain about itself as it is taking action within Georgian territory. To continue the metaphor, if the US claimed it was attacking Canadian troops outside Vancouver to defend the British Columbian separatists, that would be one thing. However, the logic of such a scenario does not allow for the US to then bomb Toronto and Quebec.

Similarly, it would be one thing if Russia were striking Georgian military within South Ossetia - defending South Ossetia's territory, as it were. However, given Russia's bombing of the town of Gori, which is within Georgia proper and not within disputed territory, one questions whether Russia is really respecting the territorial integrity of Georgia.

I think if Russia were sticking to mission and kept its forces on the South Ossetian side of the line, the media would be far more ready to penalize Georgia. Although it is very difficult to lambast a nation whose entire armed forces are dwarfed by the Russians.

******Note:*******

The August 9th declaration was not of war against Russia, but rather an emergency "declaration of a state of war" - a statement that the nation is under attack. It is a legal device peculiar to Georgia that is between an imposition of martial law and a declaration of war itself. The legislature approved Saakashvili's request in order to allow him certain powers for use during wartime.

It is not the same as a unilateral declaration that Georgia is going to attack Russia, but rather a recognitin that Georgia is under attack.

The declaration is valid for 15 days. I'm not sure what will happen after taht.

Answer 2

Well considering that S Ossetia is PART OF GEORGIA, they should be allowed to resist an area breaking away.

It would be as if Michigan decided to break away from the US - the US went in to reinstate law/order and Canada decided to invade to help them.  

Answer 3

If Russia isn't the aggressor why haven't they stopped bombing why are they still killing people there when they have been asked to stop? By the way who are we to believe our media or Russian media.  Our media isn't the great but I will pick them over Russian news any day.

Answer 4

America  and Israel  have  been  training  Georgian  troops.  Probably  like  they  train  the  police  in the  U.S.  'Coffee  and  doughnuts'  come  to mind.

Answer 5

Both