From today's Boston Globe:

"The implications of Russian actions go beyond their threat to the territorial integrity and independence of a democratic Georgia. Russia is using violence against Georgia, in part, to intimidate other neighbors – such as Ukraine – for choosing to associate with the West and adhering to Western political and economic values. As such, the fate of Georgia should be of grave concern to Americans and all people who welcomed the end of a divided of Europe, and the independence of former Soviet republics. The international response to this crisis will determine how Russia manages its relationships with other neighbors," McCain said.

"Our united purpose should be to persuade the Russian government to cease its attacks, withdraw its troops, and enter into negotiations with Georgia. We must remind Russia’s leaders that the benefits they enjoy from being part of the civilized world require their respect for the values, stability and peace of that world. World history is often made in remote, obscure countries. It is being made in Georgia today. It is the responsibility of the leading nations of the world to ensure that history continues to be a record of humanity’s progress toward respecting the values and security of free people."

This may sound tough to domestic political audiences, but it is a cruel joke being played on the Georgian people who are under attack by a resurgent Russian Empire that is moving towards the direction of the Czarist Russia of old. What can the US really do about this?

The Iraqtastrophe has left our military demoralized and overextended. Our economy is a joke. What leverage can we use on Russia? Is "Keating Five" McCain going to defeat Russia by yelling "Get off of my lawn."?

If John McCain were less corrupt and more honest, he would have opposed the war on Iraq from the beginning. It was an act of aggression not that different than Russia's invasion of Georgia. Yes folks, it turns out that Georgia has a strategic oil pipeline from Central Asia to European countries which the Russians are bombing.

As bad as the precedent set may be, the Iraqtastrophe's biggest effect on making McCain's bluster irrelevant is to weaken the US to the point that Russia really doesn't have to listen to us. If McCain had started working to stop the disastrous war in Iraq instead of successfully pushing to expand US troops and expenditures, the US might actually have some leverage. If McCain really were a "maverick" instead of being a politician bought by corporate interests, Putin wouldn't be laughing at him right now.