Russia shoots down Georgian plane

NervousPete · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:46

Russia calls off military operations...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7555858.stm

Thank fuck.

MrChris · **Joined:** 1st Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 30498

Reat - but are they actually going to pull out of the apparently large swathe of Georgian territory they're currently in? The Georgian government (who may be exaggerating, of course) reckoned half the country was in Russian hands already.

Plissken · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:53

Mr Chris wrote:

Or hosting a US missile defense shield base, even?

Anything that helps stop that UTTER FUCKING LUNACY isn't totally bad.

Once, just once, when the US proposes something needing our cooperation, instead of lubing up, I would like our Government to say "OK pal, what is in it for us?"

MrChris · **Joined:** 1st Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 30498

Plissken wrote:

Anything that helps stop that UTTER FUCKING LUNACY isn't totally bad.

Once, just once, when the US proposes something needing our cooperation, instead of lubing up, I would like our Government to say "OK pal, what is in it for us?"

Protection from Russian missiles?

Oh.

Plissken · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 14:00

Exactly.

I am only half joking when I say that I think one of the reasons that our Government instantly bows down and lubes up to the US when it comes to shit like that is because they have incriminating photos of Thatcher sucking off Reagan.

MrChris · **Joined:** 1st Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 30498

Plissken wrote:

Exactly.

I am only half joking when I say that I think one of the reasons that our Government instantly bows down and lubes up to the US when it comes to shit like that is because they have incriminating photos of Thatcher sucking off Reagan.

Who's that incriminating for?

MrChris · **Joined:** 1st Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 30498

"Cessation of hostilities" apparently doesn't actually involve ceasing hostilities

sinister agent · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 7046

Plissken wrote:

Mr Chris wrote:

Or hosting a US missile defense shield base, even?

Anything that helps stop that UTTER FUCKING LUNACY isn't totally bad.

Once, just once, when the US proposes something needing our cooperation, instead of lubing up, I would like our Government to say "OK pal, what is in it for us?"

I think the general answer to that question is "we won't smear your economy into the floor, of course, or share any intelligence with your 6th formers. Sorry, MI5. Or is is MI6? Well whatever, they're both shit."

Plissken · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 20:36

sinister agent wrote:

I think the general answer to that question is "we won't smear your economy into the floor, of course, or share any intelligence with your 6th formers. Sorry, MI5. Or is is MI6? Well whatever, they're both shit."

I'd like to see them try. Genuinely. Their army is shite without our help and we can always trade properly with Europe.

sinister agent · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 7046

Plissken wrote:

sinister agent wrote:

I think the general answer to that question is "we won't smear your economy into the floor, of course, or share any intelligence with your 6th formers. Sorry, MI5. Or is is MI6? Well whatever, they're both shit."

I'd like to see them try. Genuinely. Their army is shite without our help and we can always trade properly with Europe.

You know what I mean, though. There's almost certainly something they're holding over us that they're threatening to withdraw, rather than actually offering us anything in return for support. Stick rather than carrot, so to speak.

Plissken · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 23:39

sinister agent wrote:

You know what I mean, though. There's almost certainly something they're holding over us that they're threatening to withdraw, rather than actually offering us anything in return for support. Stick rather than carrot, so to speak.

I know what you mean, but I can't think of it.

We don't for instance, still owe them for those destroyers they gave us in WWII. In terms of their debt, they owe trillions to the rest of the world (The Republicans - the party of sound fiscal policy, there). We could kick half of their banks out and not make much of a difference.

Which is why I fall back on the Thatcher blowjob theory.

Peter St. John · **Joined:** 26th May, 2008 **Posts:** 298

The link lets us continue to participate in The Great Game and gives us a sense that we're still a Power. Plus, the last time America turned against a Labour Government, they set up the conditions that led to Mrs. Thatcher in the first place, but as you say, those were different times...

MrChris · **Joined:** 1st Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 30498

Tellingly, it's only us that refers to it as "the special relationship". The Americans don't.

Dudley · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 8679

And also that when me Aussie/Brit dual-nationality ex-housemate moved to New York, it was a hell of a lot easier to do it as an Aussie.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49232

Plissken wrote:

We could kick half of their banks out and not make much of a difference.

It would make a big fucking difference to me!

MrChris · **Joined:** 1st Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 30498

Mr Chris wrote:

This is pretty common, Mr Gnomes. An interesting example from recent history is the Russians sort of bombing a Georgian village episode, which was quite funny. In a not very funny sort of way.

I think Russia just enjoys continually putting the shits up Georgia, to remind them that they have one of the world's largest militaries parked next door to them, and so they jolly well better not cosy up to those Western sorts or... well. Oh! Look at all these tanks and aeroplanes, eh? What are those doing there? Nothing about this overwhelming firepower on your doorstep should concern you, comrades. Even if they keep accidentally bombing and shooting at you.

Cor, I'd forgotten how prescient I am.

andyb · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 489

Quote:

President George W Bush has said the US will use military aircraft and naval forces to deliver aid to Georgia following its conflict with Russia.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7559252.stm

oh shit, oh shit, oh shit

MrChris · **Joined:** 1st Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 30498

Are they delivering aid by bomb, then?

andyb · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 489

Mr Chris wrote:

Are they delivering aid by bomb, then?

do you think the Russians will see it that way?

MrChris · **Joined:** 1st Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 30498

"Hey, comrade, after all of our shelling of the Georgians, we are short on explosives, and the Western Imperialist Dogs are delivering us spares!"

andyb · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 489

Grim... · **Posted:** Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:49

http://www.reuters.com/article/politics ... liticsNews

Quote:

President George W. Bush's pledge to send aid to Georgia means that the U.S. military will take control of the ex-Soviet state's ports and airports, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on Wednesday.

I think I might head back to the countryside.

markg · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 16560

"This is a very important statement for easing tension."

Come again?

Peter St. John · **Joined:** 26th May, 2008 **Posts:** 298

Thankfully, the Pentagon denied that report about five minutes after it hit the wires. The Bush Administration is dumb, but I doubt even they are stupid enough to get that entangled with a Russian invasion..

MrChris · **Joined:** 1st Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 30498

However, they are suggesting that the US will send aid via "military aircraft and naval vessels".

This is worrying.

I can't see the yanks sending their transport aircraft over there without running escorts with fighters. So I can just see a bolshy* Russian pilot lighting up a US fighter with their targetting radar just to make a point, a la the Berlin Airlift. However, I can then definitely see a twitchy US pilot going spacko and firing on the Russian, decidedly not a la the Berlin Airlift.

I really, really don't want any US aircraft anywhere near Georgia, as I want to live to retirement.

*Yes. Ha!

sinister agent · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 7046

Mr Chris wrote:

However, they are suggesting that the US will send aid via "military aircraft and naval vessels".

This is worrying.

I can't see the yanks sending their transport aircraft over there without running escorts with fighters. So I can just see a bolshy* Russian pilot lighting up a US fighter with their targetting radar just to make a point, a la the Berlin Airlift. However, I can then definitely see a twitchy US pilot going spacko and firing on the Russian, decidedly not a la the Berlin Airlift.

I really, really don't want any US aircraft anywhere near Georgia, as I want to live to retirement.

*Yes. Ha!

Don't worry - they probably won't get a chance, as the US will no doubt use fighter craft that will operate flawlessly under all conditions except those of the Georgian climate, under which they will disintegrate into their component atoms without hourly maintenance.

Kern · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:47

Poland getting twitchy:
'US and Poland sign defence deal'

< http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7561926.stm >

Probably a smart move - enough to suggest to the Poles that the US is there for them, but not threatening enough to provoke a response from Russia.

myp · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:07

Hang on, Ossettian's blame Georgia. So why are the US sending them aid? I'm very confused.

sinister agent · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 7046

myoptika wrote:

Hang on, Ossettian's blame Georgia. So why are the US sending them aid? I'm very confused.

Because they're fighting Russia. The US has to fully equip, train and support absolutely everyone Russia argues with, because YOO ESS AY! YOO ESS AY!

MrChris · **Joined:** 1st Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 30498

Russia gets stroppy about Poland allowing US anti-missile shield to be based there

I really don't get this.

Quote:

But Mr Medvedev said it demonstrated that Russia's concerns about new systems in eastern Europe were valid.

"The deployment of new anti-missile forces has as its aim the Russian Federation," he said.

...
Mr Rogozin told Reuters news agency the timing showed "the missile defence system will be deployed not against Iran but against the strategic potential of Russia".

Um, even if it *is* "aimed at" Russia, it's there to stop you shooting nuclear missiles at them, you fucking idiots. That's hardly an offensive weapon. It will only have any use if you're firing nuclear weapons at them. At which point I think you've lost the moral high ground. Especially as you, Mr Rogozin, seem to be complaining that it will stop you from having the option to FIRE NUCEAR MISSILES AT THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Yes, of course the US *could* fire nuclear missiles at you and then use this to protect itself from retaliation, but still.

Quote:

Moscow has long argued the project will upset the military balance in Europe and has warned it will be forced to redirect its missiles at Poland.

Shut up, you stupid, show-off, adolescant wankers.

Plus, this deal would, of course, protect Poland as well, and we can hardly blame them for feeling a little touchy about one of the very large, belligerant military powers nearby which has had a history of invading them in the past, eh?

Peter St. John · **Joined:** 26th May, 2008 **Posts:** 298

Putting the missiles there in the first place is a violation of the Anti-Ballistic Treaty signed by both Russia and America back in the 70s, which is part of the reason why Russia is (and always has been) against the Bush Administration's plan to stick "anti-Axis of Evil" missile systems right next to Russia. What the Russians should do, of course, is stick an ABM system outside of Havana...

Dimrill · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 17:24

ARe we dead yet? Could someone notify me when we are pls? thnks

sinister agent · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 7046

Peter St. John wrote:

Putting the missiles there in the first place is a violation of the Anti-Ballistic Treaty signed by both Russia and America back in the 70s, which is part of the reason why Russia is (and always has been) against the Bush Administration's plan to stick "anti-Axis of Evil" missile systems right next to Russia. What the Russians should do, of course, is stick an ABM system outside of Havana...

Christ, can you imagine how this pair would measure up to Kennedy and Khrushchev*? It'd be a total fucking embarassment.

*Who arguably saved the entire world by having the balls to back down, and was therefore a better leader than anyone else in history. I don't care. I DON'T CARE.

Peter St. John · **Joined:** 26th May, 2008 **Posts:** 298

The really scary thing about this so far is that John McCain seems to be to the right of Bush on this - he's all but declared Cold War 2: The Reckoning in the past couple of days.

kalmar · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 19:05

Jesus, I go on holiday for a couple of weeks and all hell literally Breaks Loose.

Fuck sake, I'm quite disappointed in all of you.

throughsilver · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 6197

Were you in South Ossetia?

Be Excellent To Each Other

Russia shoots down Georgian plane
And bafflingly claims not to.

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Be Excellent To Each Other

Russia shoots down Georgian plane And bafflingly claims not to.

Who is online

Russia shoots down Georgian plane
And bafflingly claims not to.