Did the United States Orchestrate the Georgian Conflict??

Vladimir Putin came out today and accused the United States of orchestrating the war in Georgia.  According to Putin the United States had men on the ground in Georgia at the start of the conflict.  These men were attempting to train military personnel in the pursuit of a seizure of the autonomous region of South Ossetia.  He further contends that the United States were inciting this conflict for the purposes of increasing the political footing for John McCain as he runs for the presidency.

I think this is a shockingly bold move by the Bush Administration, if the accusations prove true.  The scenario reminds me of the film 'Wag the Dog' in that the administration has chosen settings like Georgia and South Ossetia for this to play out.  

Ask the average American to tell you where Georgia is on a map he couldn't do it.  So, the conflict raging between Georgia and the baddies of yesteryear, Russia, has the ring of indistinctness -- it promotes generalized fear of a life without United States military intervention.  People don't even know where it is on a globe, but with Russia involved in the war you raise the alarm bells for the people 40+.  

These people remember the Cold War.  They remember how close we came to nuclear war with Russia and Cuba.  By inserting ourselves into the region and facilitating military action, we have awoken a dormant fear of Russia.  All of a sudden these Cold War survivors are reminded that Russia may once again become a danger to our interests around the world. 

What other than diplomacy can we deploy to fend off Russia?  The military, of course.  These are the humorless thoughts of many.  And given the general reputation of liberals and Obama's relative lack of experience in Washington, McCain becomes a more urgent selection for President for those on the fence or undecided.  

Invoke generalized fear and be sure to include the need for military action.  This is the recipe for the Bush Administration.  This is what they are willing to offer McCain to help swing him the election.  It is the last faint machination of Dick Cheney in a last gasp effort to achieve one more small bit of ground on the road to neoconservatism.  It is bold in its application to a purer level of election manipulation, but certainly well below the bar set by Bush and Cheney in 2002-2004.   

I don't think that Vladimir Putin is spreading lies to exonerate Russia.  I think he is telling us a truer description of what lead to this mini war with Georgia.  Honestly, if that accusation held no water, what good would it ultimately do Putin and Russia?  Only if it has teeth and is verifiable to some extent would he even come out and say it.  What does he have to gain from looking foolish on the world's stage?  

This is why I fear that the Bush Administration has indeed encouraged the negative developments in South Ossetia.

It is indeed time for a change.  

Congratulations, Barack Obama, on a speech for the ages.  You are a candidate that comes along once or twice in a lifetime.  Enjoy the ride and best of luck.  

Your Unfaithful Servant