[cardiacpaul]

They have to be kidding. I sure as hell dont want to give my son for some place in the middle of nowhere that means nothing to any of us. Good luck even finding it on a map. Double good luck convincing me or any other American that South Ossetia is worth a war with Russia.

Does South Ossetia have WMD's? Anthrax? Missiles? Is the South Ossetian army threatening us? Are they out of their minds?


You know what really chaps my patootie?

We have a non-conscript service. If you decide to join the military, its on a 100% volunteer basis. If you decide to volunteer, one of the basic concepts is that you do what the hell you're told to do and when to do it. period. That concept keeps more of 'em alive.
(unless they want you to do something illegal, immoral, or fattening).

Did they sign up because they look good in camo?

Did you think they trained 'em to shoot a rifle for their health? (kinda, sorta, yea). Theres a better than even chance that if you join a branch, some moron is going to try to shoot at you, so, you'd better be able to shoot back, not hand 'em a latte and want to sit with them and hug it out.

C'mon, you don't get to pick and chose what conflict you kid goes into.

To suggest so, in my opinion, degrades and minimizes the sacrifice these people chose to give you and me.

Now, back to the "point" if its valid.
The conflict that has erupted in the Caucasus has set alarm bells ringing because of Georgia's pivotal role in the global energy market.
Georgia has no significant oil or gas reserves of its own but it is a key transit point for oil from the Caspian and central Asia destined for Europe and the US.
Crucially, it is the only practical route from this increasingly important producer region that avoids both Russia and Iran. The 1,770km (1,100 miles) Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which entered service only last year, pumps up to 1 million barrels of oil per day from Baku in Azerbaijan to Yumurtalik, Turkey, where it is loaded on to supertankers for delivery to Europe and the US. Around 249km of the route passes through Georgia, with parts running only 55km from South.

control that, and oops, out go the lights anytime you want.
Still think it "means nothing to any of us?"