While I was taking my family vacation this year, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was masterminding the slicing and dicing of an already small Georgia, a former region in the former Soviet Union, by his voracious Vego-matic Russian ruffians.
Although I have no particular ties to Georgia, its pipeline route and status as a former orb in the Soviet constellation makes this development especially troubling and possibly quite dangerous.
Putin – and Russia – have been bullying their neighbors with impunity ever since the World energy picture morphed in the past few years. It tried a couple times (2006 and 2008) to strangle Ukraine by reducing its natural gas supply in the dead of winter as a not-so-gentle reminder that another one of its former Soviet regions ought not think too highly of this upstart notion of democracy or grow too close to the West.
Many countries in Europe, the once omnipotent Germany among them, rely heavily on Russia for their energy needs. Perhaps German Chancellor Angela Merkel is re-thinking how she and her country can best relate – or cater – to the ever-growing Russian Bear.
I wonder how much George W. Bush regrets today his comments at a 2001 Press Conference after first meeting and conferring with Putin: “I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy. We had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul…”
Such an event as the storming of Georgia exemplifies the importance of the position of President of the United States in dealing with seemingly never-ending World crises. This November, voters must choose a wise and gutsy person who can successfully – and safely – address such uprisings, which unfortunately are never in short supply. Despite our fervent wishes, we humans – leaders and citizens alike – can demonstrate such crass and rank behavior that consequences are in order. Just wishing everyone will act fairly and compassionately does not make it happen. Our President – and government – must work together judiciously to marginalize, or ideally, stop, disgusting behavior when it occurs. Yet we have learned this is much easier said than done. But it must be done. That must be an enduring goal. Promoting a sane World will always be in our national interest. Although I am not quite ready to compare the cold and calculating Putin to other lawless luminaries like Hitler, Stalin, or Pol Pot, he certainly merits close monitoring.
Even nationally-syndicated columnist, Charles Krauthammer, has suggested some stern responses, but verbal saber rattling, as President Bush probably now appreciates, is neither helpful nor productive.
The key is to talk softly but effectively suffocate those who are suffocating others. Bold words are not sufficient; bold action is, especially executed under the quiet cover of diplomacy. Being diplomatic does not have to connote being an appeaser or a pansy. It can mean using discretion and dialogue to clearly communicate what actions will be pursued, and then following through when parties do not respond adequately to your entreaties.
It may seem strange that I extol the virtue of behind-the-scenes maneuverings that never hit the pages of The New York Times or The Washington Post for news junkies like me to consume and confabulate about. However, the name of the game is results. If secrets must be kept to do the job right, then go, do the job right. History will undoubtedly expose the details in due course.
As everyone has been saying, some for varying reasons, this election will be important, as all elections always are. I can only hope, but do not expect, civil, informed discourse between the major Party candidates so that Americans can judge who would be best suited to protect the United States diplomatically and, if necessary, economically, militarily, and culturally.
After all, there are nearly two and one-half centuries of these United States at stake.
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Fred W. Apelquist, III, M.Ed.
Approximately 640 words.
(c) August 16, 2008
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