Charlie Rose

OtherGeorgia  11/02/2008 07:35 AM Report

In addition. The responsibility for the war in August is on US and Georgian Government. The US wants Platzdarm in the region! Saakashvili wants to ensure his criminal Power! The sacrifice was mostly georgian population! Its much easier to get rid of Russia, then Saakashvili+NATO! It is already impossible to live in georgia since USA pockes its nose and sends its spys to organise the destabilization of caucasus against Russia! Saakashvili says: Russian empire will be burried in Georgia!(official speech). This is the same what Bin Laden say about USA. Bin Laden is terrorist and Saakashvili not????!!! It is the same if Bin Laden was a president of some arabic country! Them USA would kill the whole country! This is blind of georgians! Shame on you USA!

Truth  11/02/2008 12:32 AM Report

Dear Other Georgia, I am surprised you speak on behalf of all Georgians saying that Georgians are much closer to Russians than Americans. I am pure Georgian and I don't think that I am closer ro Russians. How Georgians are closer to Russians? Georgians aren't drunkards, our wemen have high morals and not like Russian Natasha who is well-known around the world as a Striper and on-line Bride. We are proud people, who want to make a difference. Where was Ameica, when during the USSR, they were trying to take away our Language and announce Russian as the Main one. Only because they are our neighbours and happen to be Orthodox, doesn't mean that we have to blind ourselves and think the want our good when they don't. I think it's just the opposite. We need to stay away from a big neighbour, becasue they are so close and they will always want to swallow. That's why I want to be with Europe and America, not because I am close or not close to THEM.

OtherGeorgia  11/01/2008 01:12 PM Report

Despite of all dramatic developments, I think, if there would be a war between USA and Russia, many Georgians like me would be again fighting on Russias side. Because, the historical and cultural ties are very close between our nations. Todays georgian government wants to change Georgians and make them more USA loyal than they in reality are. Georgian People are naturaly closer to Russians. And this confrontation is artificial. Georgians like Russian human being and deslike american one, it is stranger to us, russians are like our relatives. It is something what you cannot change, Mr. Saakashvili! He manipulated people through his war. His rating is worse now then Shevardnadzes rating in 2003. So he will definitely loose. But america is supporting in Georgia illegal Rule of Saakashvili. People dont want him, but behind him stands usa and finances him. And there is no chance to get rid of him, what many want, nowdays. In Georgia there is a terror, not a democracy!

Truth  10/31/2008 06:58 PM Report

To Vlad, Alexander, etc...

I am surprised that Russians have guts to defend the actions of their Government during August events against Georgia. How can you say that Saakashvili is an Americam Puppet when Medvedjev is a well-known Putin's protege and the biggest Puppet of All. Saakashvili has brains and guts to oppose Russia, that's why Russians can't stand him, Sorry guys. By backing separatists Russia cut the branch he was sitting on himself. Russia consists of so many provinces like Ingushetia, Chechnja, Dagestan, etc, aren't you afraid People that one day it will all come back to you. I mean USSR collapsed becasue they coulnd't keep Republics together, and what do you think how long Russia can keep those provinces together, Provinces who have different traditions, History, Language, Religion... Russia shouldn't be located beyond the Urals, this idea might sound crazy today but would you think that after 70 years USSR would no longer exist?

If you are Christians and Orthodox, like you claim you are, and that was the only reason why back in days Georgia decided to let Russians in the Caucasus, it's time to sit down and pray for all sins you have done in the Region. I am friends with a lot of Russians and studied Russian History and Culture as my own, but I really don't see our countries' friendship going anywhere, just like you can't have a Friend who is always jelous of your well-being and Good. I think it's all comes down to the Fact that they Bigger and therefore they can do it Better, and unfortunately Georgia is the country that always proves them wrong and I can understand why it's bitter.

YEM  10/27/2008 04:55 AM Report

who can be interested in this amtrican puppet??? Saakashvili is illogical and cowardly person. All that he can do well is a necktie-chewing!

Ted  10/26/2008 10:14 PM Report

lol!

Hello, America! Approach! Look! Be surprised!

Manual speaking monkey and the president of the Most democratic country in all Universe! All the evening long on arena!

P.S.Do not to applaud loudly - an animal is very timid. Ties to remove at an input - will gobble up.

Alexandr  10/26/2008 12:12 PM Report

Georgians, continue to lick ZHopu USA! South Ossetia and Abkhazia, you lost!

Alice  10/26/2008 12:12 PM Report

Charlie we really don't give a crap what Saakashvili thinks or says. He has less credibility than rats in NYC sewers, so please spare us his ugly face or that of his neocon friends.

Shoegirl  10/26/2008 12:11 PM Report

"Dear listeners, Charley Rose was really very soft on President Saakashvili. There were several moments he could have pressed him" ---> Did you see a video where Mr. Saakashvilli is eating up his tie? One should never press this miserable, distressed, and mentally unstable individual...

Alexandr  10/26/2008 07:25 AM Report

All Georgians to watch, much to learn:

http://blogs.inosmi.ru/users/a_knyazev/post82842602/... http://blogs.inosmi.ru/users/a_knyazev/post82888353/ ... http://blogs.inosmi.ru/users/a_knyazev/post82874995/ ... http://blogs.inosmi.ru/users/a_knyazev/post83382126/ ... http://blogs.inosmi.ru/users/a_knyazev/post83382355/

Vlad  10/26/2008 06:38 AM Report

Math task:

Georgian population of about 5,5 million;

around 4 million Georgians live in Georgia;

about 1 million Georgians living in Russia, who send money home to support family members from Georgia.

How much Georgians living in US, who send money home to support family members from Georgia ?

Lucky Barker  10/26/2008 05:55 AM Report

!It is impossible to deceive me!

The Russo-Georgian war exhibited the features of a proxy war pitting US-NATO imperialism against Russian nationalism. Russian forces thwarted Georgia's armed provocations and issued a challenge to American and NATO policies in the borderlands. When Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and President Dimitry Medvedev ordered Russian forces to move through South Ossetia and cross the border into Georgia, they violated the UN charter. Their initial justification - defense of the Ossetians' right of self-determination - was as arbitrary as the one the United States and NATO put forward for their attacks on Kosovo and Serbia, where unlike in Russia's case their self-defense was never involved. So, in responding unilaterally to a very real threat that had actually materialized, did Russia commit an act of aggression? Neither the UN Security Council nor the General Assembly could make that legal determination. Even if they had, Russia wouldn't have taken seriously a US-NATO charge of aggression that served only to emphasize its accusers' egregious double standards. In the course of conducting the war, Georgian ground troops, tanks and some South Ossetian militia deliberately targeted civilians, committed acts of ethnic cleansing and wantonly destroyed civilian property in Tskhinvali, the South Ossetian capital, and in villages along South Ossetia's border with Georgia proper.

The Bitter Truth  10/25/2008 11:15 PM Report

Corrupted West... :-/

Everybody's supporting the f-ing nazzi...

God Bless Russia!

A personal request  10/25/2008 11:12 PM Report

2Slava

GFY!

Manana  10/04/2008 09:29 AM Report

Dear Lali

This is not the place to discuss our political differences. Our country was attacked and the president did everything in his power to save the country. He has asked for international investigation and he has filed the case against Russia. As far as being an admirer of Saakashvili, I never said I was an admirer. I am his supporter and there is a big difference. The facts are that Abkhazia and S. Ossetia are historic Georgian territories and Putin annexed them. Georgian people need to stand together especially when the world stands behind us. If Russia gets away with this, Ukraine, Poland will be next.

Pragmatis

Stalin was Georgian and so was Beria. They were both welcomed by Russians while disliked by Georgians. As much as I can not stand Stalin, if it was not for him, Russians would not be speaking German instead.

Nazgaidze, Keti  10/02/2008 09:58 AM Report

1. Georgia needs urgently global missile defense system installed on its territory. We do not understand why Poland gets it and not Georgia. Georgians get killed, towns, villages, peacefull population bombed with Rockets, ballistic missles and others get MDS. People of Georgia are very worried about the security. To say, we will stand strong, however high the price is not very clever.

2. President must be carefull with saying words which irritates russian side. I have an impression, that for each wrong word uttered from President of Georgia towards Russia, Russian side kills at least one Georgian. This is irresponsible. The sharp words from Saakashvili is probably what we actually think, but for the State Leader it is important, to be diplomatic in its expressions.

3. The question remains, can USA protect us? I have read some statements, that protection of Georgia is not unsurmountable for the USA. And second, what will Russia do, if USA starts stationing MDS on Georgia, if Georgia enters NATO. It is a tiny territory, it is a tiny country in a geopolitically most dengarous place of the world.

I do not think todays Georgian government has answers at all these questions. It is hard situation for Georgia. Georgia needs a big group of experts, who will rule the country effectively inside and which will lead the country in NATO without such high price, what we have paid in August.

I do not see anymore, that this is exactly the case in Georgia right now.

Russia proved that it is an enemy of Georgia and western world. It is an barbarian power, b ut effective in killing people.

Is Saakashvili and the West effektive in protecting georgian people from this barbarian, brutal, wild power. NO!

Henry Kissinger  09/27/2008 02:41 PM Report

To Aimee Reed: You wrote: "When Germany attacked Poland, what would have happened if U.S. would simply said that it was not any of our business."

Well, check your history books. The Polish invasion took place in 1939 and the US intervened 5 years later. In the meantime, the US industry kept selling materials to Germany, and for a while, the US waited to see how this crazy European thing would develop. Wake up and smell national interest.

Pragmatist  09/27/2008 02:22 PM Report

David, first you need to step out of the Cold War time capsule a little more often, the Soviet KGB exists as much as WMDs in Iraq.

Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili (stagename: Stalin) was an ethnic Georgian, born in the Georgian town of Gori where a statue still stands in the central square, also there's a musuem for him as well. By the way Dzhugashvili is a Georgian name, -vili partly gives it away (common ending for Georgian last names.) Same ending as Saakashvili. You can take a look at the characters in the Georgian language for either person, same stuff.

Also if Stalin was Ossetian he would never allowed Ossetia to be divided into North and South and the Southern part going to Georgia, he did this because he was Georgian. Not difficult to see what he considered himself.

Under his orders thousands of Georgians were massacred, no doubt. Under Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge massacred thousands of Cambodians... I don't see your point... Both these animals wanted control and were extremely paranoid and crazy. Your logic for saying "aha" he can't be Georgian because he killed Georgians doesn't make sense. Here in the US, we heard of enough stories where a parent kills his/her spouse and children...

Obviously you don't know your history stop drinking all that wikipedia Koolaid. Circa ~850 or so, there was a Kingdom of Abkahzia, and the interesting bit is that area back then is pretty much the same place the modern day world refers to today. On the same map there was no Kingdom of Georgia or anything. Obviously there were precursor states, but nothing that you can claim was indisputable historic Georgian land or whatever. Reminds me of Italy and all of its city states... Italy as a country did not come into existence until the 19th century...

lali  09/27/2008 07:17 AM Report

Manana,

As a proud supporter of your President, may be you can answer the question: why the Georgian Ambassador to UN did not present the UN Security Council with the proof of the Russian invasion during the meetings of August 8,2008?

I am not commenting or interpreting the facts-I am just asking the questions based on the official statements by the Georgian Government and the President himself. As I already mentioned in my previous post-these statements contradict one another. Why? If you live in Georgia you should have heard what Mr. Saakashvili is saying for the internal use-to the citizens of Georgia -and what he is telling the western media.

There are numerous contradictory accounts. During this interview he also avoided the direct answers to the questions and recited the general lines about the democracy in Georgia.

Then why does he need the second "Rose Revolution" for strengthening the democracy? making it "more" democratic-that's the typical spin he uses as the only tool to stay in power.

You can obtain and read the Statement issued by the Public Defender of Georgia yesterday, it shows perfectly what kind of "democracy" this thug has installed in the country-in case you really want to know what is going on. If you belong to the univocal admirers of Saakashvili then you don't have to bother.

Manana  09/26/2008 06:11 PM Report

Dear Lali

I am very sad for the way you feel. I am personally very proud of my president. He kept the country functioning during one of the toughest times in Georgian history. All of the government organizations functioned properly. Banks were only closed for a day. Georgian army was saved and only experienced minor losses taking into account the kind of enemy they were fighting against. As far as who started the conflict, Saakshvili was the first who asked the International organizations to investigate. Why is Russia not cooperating with OSCE? EU? According to the latest poles, majority of population supports our president. I am sure there are some people who prefer Soviet style government and leaders, but fortunately, Georgia is not one of them. We are greatfull for the support of West and the United States.

Shota  09/26/2008 06:01 PM Report

I think this guy needs to be given more credit. He chew on his tie. So what? showgirl how would you feel if your country was invaded and its KGB government would claim that they need to overthrow a democratically elected president, just because he is pro western? This tie chewing episode has been shown over and over on Russian TV as a part of their well planned propaganda to discredit one of the very few democratic leaders in Eastern Europe. Majority of Georgians stand by their president even though there is some opposition as in every democratic country. I think Charlie asked right questions and he was balanced during the interview.

Shaft  09/26/2008 03:55 PM Report

It's a funny feeling to see President Shakashvilli fidgeting; I see the fighting spirit of former Cuban president (Castro) in his early years that would take his poor country into a 50-year economic lockup just because his strong headed and stubborn nature. Nuff with characterization, the way I see this Georgia may have rushed to the conflict. The president looks restless and too hyper for a president in part of the world. The way he speaks sounds like someone that just came out of a small gambling kiosk somewhere in Bangkok or Thailand drinking Asian coffee all night to keep him awake. Recent meetings between the Russia, Georgia and other relevant parties (US, Canada, EU) was conducted in Toronto, and the Canadian media interviewed individuals involved in the meeting, and it was very sobering indeed to hear all sides and weigh the situation. Russian representative told their side, the Georgian representative told their side, and the EU representative was asked of what their position was, and he revealed the same thing everyone has been suspecting all along, and he told how impulsive the Georgian leadership personalities are. The Russians have undisputable ally here, and that ally is the impulsive nature of Georgian leadership, the president in particular. The guy is in a rush to register Georgia in the NATO list, and that he will do anything including take a high-risk of gamble. I heard Putin's interview with CNN and German media. The way I see it, Russia may have been too well behaved in the way they replied to Shakashvilli's high-risk gambling escapade. Had this gambling been wedged against past Russian leadership, things would have turned out different, we would have found ourselves on a stand by to face off the Russians. I hope McCain/Palin would not win the presidency, because Gov. Palin told the nation on a national television that she can see Russia from her home and that close visibility is no good for someone that stated, 'Georgia is part of NATO and the US would go to war with anybody to defend a NATO member state.' We all know what it would mean should McCain/Palin prevail in the quest for the oval office. Should that happen though, I advise everyone to prepare to re-live the 1950s fear of nuke exchange.

David  09/26/2008 11:52 AM Report

BTW, the main street in Tskhinvali, South Ossetia's capital, is called Stalin street.

David  09/26/2008 11:45 AM Report

pragmatist, what you said is a KGB version of history. In reality, what is now known as South Ossetia was always part of Georgia and never a separate political entity, therefore it could not join anything. Abkhazia was one of the three Georgian lands that united in 11th century to form modern day Georgia. Stalin was born in Georgia but was an Ossetian, if you really want to know. He, as one of the leaders of Soviet Union, invaded Georgia in 1921 and massacred hundreds of thousands of Georgians. He also gave political status to a few Ossetian villages in the center of Georgia, that's how South Ossetia came into being.

Pragmatist   09/26/2008 10:01 AM Report

Just so everyone knows, way back in the 18th century (~1774), Ossetia joined the Russian Empire, to be secure from the muslim Ottoman Turkish Empire.

Georgia also joined the Russian Empire by the close around the close of the 18th century also to be secure from the Ottoman Turks.

Abkahzia joined the Russian Empire in the early 19th century to be secure from the Ottomans as well.

So three independent kingdoms back then. In the late 19th century, the administrative center for this part of the country was situated in Tbilisi. That's the only "relative" control Georgia had over these other two areas, in reality it was the Russian empire administering from this location, that's it.

So it's quite spurious to turn these facts into so sort of integral cradles of Georgian civilization.

In the 20th century during Stalin's (he was Georgian) brutal dictatorship, he separated Ossetia into South and North and drew the boundary of Georgia around South Ossetia.

Anyone who wants to keep supporting that status quo of S. Ossetia in Georgia must be a closet admirer of Stalin, who is easily history's most genocidal and evil ruler.

Lali  09/26/2008 06:20 AM Report

Dear listeners,

Charley Rose was really very soft on President Saakashvili. There were several moments he could have pressed him and revealed all hypocricy and lies behind his "prosperous democracy" blah,blah blah; Especially,on the exact timeline of the events on August 7. There are at least 4 versions of the account of these events in offical interviews and speeches by Saakasvhvili himself, that completely condratict one another. He does this just to save himself and retain power. He has to lie, because there is no justification of what he has done to my country -as well as for the actions of the Russian Government.

This is a very long a tragic story for Georgian people. Current USA government has its share of repsonsibility for bringing to power and supporting this shamless crook. Russian agression and what Russia is up to should not be used as an excuse for this ruthless thug, who brought the country of Georgia to catastrophy.

I am Georgian. I leave in Tbilisi and know very well who reallly Saakshvili is. Don't let him full you just because he can spread his lies in English.

Aimee Reed  09/26/2008 01:49 AM Report

U.S. has not had this kind of Unity with Europe since the cold war. If Russians don't have anything to hide, how come they don't allow any international organizations and journalists in S. Ossetia and Abkhazia? What are they hiding there? Russian media was going on and on about 2000 thousand civilians killed in S. Ossetia by Georgians. Human Rights Watch, which was finally allowed in those territories, only documented 40. The plan was to get the support of Russian population for the occupation. So that they would think that what Putin did was justified. I think it was a preplanned attack and it’s a shame that world did not take more notice and did not see it coming.

Aimee Reed  09/26/2008 01:39 AM Report

One of the comments stated that Georgia is not worth it to get in trouble with Russia. What happened to the United States? We go to war with Iraq, but when it’s obvious that young democracy has been attacked, just because they want to be free, all of sudden we think it’s not any of our business? Nobody is advocating a war, but there are other means to show our support. When Germany attacked Poland, what would have happened if U.S. would simply said that it was not any of our business. It’s not about Georgia any more. As Mr. Saakashvili put it it’s about oil drunk totalitarian regime, who wants to have a full control of energy in Europe. And that is not good for anybody, including us.

Rita  09/26/2008 01:21 AM Report

What is really surprising to me is that Charlie didn't ask Saakashvili for his interpretation of events and the time line. I mean, the President of Georgia was not put on a spot and asked to give the facts straight up, thus allowing him (Saakashvili) to hide behind vogue words. Because this is what was happening in this interview - 15 minutes of vogue statements and pretty phrases. I can't help myself but wonder why.

Randy  09/26/2008 01:21 AM Report

I'm surprised that Saakashvili wasn't wearing a 'Vote for McCain/Palin' button on his lapel. In fact, Saakashvili should be on McCain's campaign staff for all the money he's funneled to him and his goons over the years. Putin should have stormed the Capital and put him under house arrest. He reminds me of a mobster from a B rated movie.

Fword4putinoids  09/25/2008 07:22 PM Report

well, I'm from Georgia myself, aand, as I read comments, and actually as I see situation, I just feel a bit, ummm, I mean, it's such a pity when you are so much depended on someone, someone will help, someone will not, someone'll say u're right, someone'll say you're wrong, and this all decides your presence, your survival. when you are not able to defend yourself, you are not able to decide for yourself what is better or what is even wrong for you, when you are depended if it is benefitial for someone to support you or it isnt right time geopolitically or economically or politically for that, when you are of "his" or "her" sphere of influence..what I hope for is we will get over this damn crisis, we will become strong, strong enough to defend ourselves and to be able to gain our control on what is and has always been ours. to be once in a lifetime, a real idnependent, sovereign country. without needs to beg for someone's help

sock puppet  09/25/2008 06:44 PM Report

Mr Levy - well said. Agree with nearly everything you said. Big dog on block syndrome needs jettisoning.

Dave Levy  09/25/2008 06:31 PM Report

Pat Buchanan put it about the best way I can think of, "stupid". He was referring to our (US) response to Russia's invasion of Georgia.

Let's be honest...we almost went to war over Cuba, with some generals wanting to nuke Russia. This territory whether Georgia or the Ukraine is Russia's domain..like it or not. They border Russia, were part of the old Soviet Union, and are in Russia's sphere of influence. Let's see what the US does when Venezuela and Cuba conduct more military tests with Putin's armed forces. Let's see how detached we are. Frankly, I don't want to see my homestate of California nuked by Russian long range missiles, Georgia ain't worth it.

We should aid both countries..but not to allow them to join NATO. Remember, just 60 years ago, dozens of SS divisions invaded Russia from Germany's allies..killing 25m Russians. They have long memories. Putting missiles in Poland will also lead to a calamity. If we want to assure no Iranian attack on US, then send up 100 B1s and 2s, and carpet bomb their 3 installations. It's that simple and quick. That will pluck Ahmads feathers, while not endangering US with Soviet nukes. The leader of Georgia is dead wrong..we owe his little so-called democracy nothing, nothing. He forgets Russia has 50,000 tanks, nuclear armed cruise type missiles, and an army of over 2 million. He will get all of US killed. Charlie Rose did ask some salient questions..this time. But who cares what Colin Powell thinks anyway. He should have resigned as Sec. of Defense PRIOR to the war in Iraq..He is a game player big time.

sock puppet  09/25/2008 03:00 PM Report

Realist - (Really?) You wrote in part, ". . . here should be a clear understanding that current Russian government is basically thugs, and no friends to anybody, just a worldwide troublemakers. I just hope that one day the truth will come out about this gangster regime mascarading as a "world power", and reasonable people all over the world, especially Russian people, will see how deeply corrupt and criminal they were." ---------------------------------------------------------------- It strikes me as poignantly ironic that your statement is equally valid by making "Russian" and "American" interchangeable. A despot calling the pot black, or a pot calling a despot nonwhite? Our sense of entitlement to the title of the world's good-guys has been arrogated to the dust-bin of reality for over a half a century. Lastly interchange Cuba and Georgia and let the thoughts roll.

TABS  09/25/2008 12:39 PM Report

Perhaps Mr Roses interview program should be considered in the "Talk of the Town" genre of interview programs. As Mr Rose seems so enamored with the conventional wisdom of the social set that he frequents in NYC and DC.------------Very specifically Mr Rose, your retort to Mr Saakashivili that "Russia is showing that it is back" is the conventional wisdom which is dismissive and greatly underestimates Russian motivation and ambitions. Mr Putin nor his agents in the US should be taken at face value nor should they be taken lightly.

Realist  09/25/2008 12:12 PM Report

This is very true! I wish Bush saw that in his eyes when he "looked in his soul" !

TABS  09/25/2008 11:52 AM Report

Perhaps one should consider that Mr Putin is a real life Moriarty? The fact that Mr Putin was sitting in the stands at the Beijing Olympics while his tanks were rolling into Georgia puts him into a class all of his own with regards to Machiavellian politics. It would be very unwise to underestimate the man.

Realist  09/25/2008 11:03 AM Report

As a Charlie's listener, I was very dissapointed after his "soft ball" interview with Mr.Churkin who disgraced himself with repetetive lies. At least now, Charlie has allowed us to hear the other side. I do not think that President managed to make his case well, even though he could remind everybody about numerous Russian insults/provocations over years aimed at crashing little country that shares Western values and wants to leave inhuman "Soviet orbit" that Russians cynically call "near abroad". Whatever mistakes Saakashvili made by falling into carefully crafted KGB trap, there should be a clear understanding that current Russian government is basically thugs, and no friends to anybody, just a worldwide troublemakers. I just hope that one day the truth will come out about this gangster regime mascarading as a "world power", and reasonable people all over the world, especially Russian people, will see how deeply corrupt and criminal they were. I would still give Charlie credit for trying, and hope he wouldn't allow Lavrov to spill another dose of venom through the PBS channel.

sock puppet  09/25/2008 09:45 AM Report

IB -> KGB? "As a prominent member of the philanthropic community of NYC I will do everything that is in my power to remove you from the PBS airwaves." Your modesty and intolerance for, well, intolerance is singularly evident in this grand statement. Any more?

IB  09/25/2008 09:14 AM Report

Charlie. I have been a long-time viewer and supporter of your nightly show on PBS, and I used to respect your abilities as a journalist. Yet, your farce of an interview last night with the President of the Republic of Georgia has proven otherwise. Your inability to put aside personal biases, based upon your intimate friendships with Vitaly Churkin and other Russian diplomats came through with flying colors. The fact that you attacked President Saakashvili with questions completely based upon the prefabricated lies repeated to you by the Russian, despotic state is incredible. Charlie you do not know anything about politics, let alone foreign politics. So for all of our sakes, stick to celebrities and business leaders, because you at least have some background knowledge in these areas. As for the other comments posted by KGB agents on this site, I will not even lower myself to respond to their absurd lies. As a prominent member of the philanthropic community of NYC I will do everything that is in my power to remove you from the PBS airwaves.

gb  09/25/2008 06:07 AM Report

Charlie, I was disappointed to have viewed what seemed like a one way conversation that allowed Saakashvili free reign to spout his version of what many believe to be a distorted truth. This man needs to be understood, watched, listen to and judged-and asked hard questions. He, according to many educated "enlightened" individuals, worldwide, is not necessarily a good man with only the best interest for the world and his countrymen in mind. It may be quite the opposite. His evident ties to McCain's managers, BP big oil and their crony Palin may be cause for great concern, among other serious charges. Please read the following link for pertinent information that may be useful in future dialog, with your audience, the administrations of the U.S. both present and future, the Russian leaders and the world community at large. www.thenation.com/doc/20080929/ames

More work needs to be done to deal with the Russian situation in a positive manner. You have done well in the past having leaders on such as Kissinger, "Sbig" Brzezinski and others who seem to be able to shed a fair and reasonable light on possible and very necessary solutions. Perhaps it is time to bring them back. They seemed to ring all along a warning to the current administration that Russia wanted and needed to be brought into the fold of the west, both economically and socially. They reminded us that the Russians were eager to work together with other nations, and such a connection would or could have a very positive effect the world over. Unfortunately, our current administration chose to keep them at arms length, eventually taunting and frustrating them with cold war like policies of in-your-face missile defense. Too bad to have squandered what could have been a harmonious relationship. Perhaps a thinking, new administration will reverse the damage, or at least begin too. Thank you for listening. GB

Slava  09/25/2008 02:49 AM Report

People, please, whatever your political affiliation is and whatever you think of the US foreign policy, recognize a simple fact: Putin and, under his rule, Russia is on a quest to once again become an imperial power. And in Russia, unlike the US, that is ALWAYS considered to be a good thing. So, be ware! The American political far left has already made this mistake once -- they supported Stalin having no knowledge of the realities of Soviet Union. Please, do not repeat that mistake!

Douglass Montrose-Graem  09/25/2008 02:03 AM Report

Another Rose-gem! I found Saakashvili's comments exploding the myth that Georgia first attacked and Russia over-responded, as particularly revealing. Was Poland responsible that Hitler invaded it from the west and Stalin from the east? And all the other small countries which in the last 100 years "threatened" their much bigger neighbors, responsible for starting hostilities? What bs!!! I'm only saddened that Colin Powell bought into the Putin version of events. In the end, the good guys, always win. [My perspective on Georgia -- is colored by the fact that my first wife is descendent of the last King of Georgia, before it was swallowed whole by Catherine the Great, after a glorious history stretching back over 1,500 years\ Let us pray Saakashvili be shielded from another Putin "specialty" - the poisoned chalice.

sock puppet  09/24/2008 07:13 PM Report

Georgia, Ukraine et al are isolated from the west in toto. NATO is neutered. To ignore this fact will merely prove it in spades topped with embarrassment.