Something baaaaaad could happen. Too many bloody ships in the Gulf of Tonkin - oops-Black Sea!

[tannybogus]

Russia cruiser to test weapons in crowded Black Sea
Russia's flagship cruiser has re-entered the Black Sea for weapons tests hours after the Russian military complained about the presence of US and other Nato naval ships near the Georgian coast.

The 'Moskva' had led a battle group of Russian naval vessels stationed off the coastline of Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia during Russia's recent conflict with Georgia and sank smaller Georgian craft.

The assistant to the Russian Navy's commander-in-chief told Russian news agencies the cruiser had put to sea again two days after returning to its base at the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol.

"'Moskva' has today departed toward the Black Sea Fleet's naval training range to check its radio-controlled weapons and onboard communications systems," Captain Igor Dygalo was quoted as saying by Interfax.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4668809a12.html

They should just hold the bloody Americas Cup in the Black Sea now too! Cheney is probably aboard a ship with
his eye patch, parrot, and peg leg. What is effing BushCo doing?? Osama Bin Laden could be sailing by Lady Liberty
right now and we wouldn't know it. We only have dinghys left in port!
Hurricanes, conventions, Iraq, Black Sea...My head is going to explode.
:yoiks:

[Subdivisions]

1. I've been watching this Black Sea development out of the corner

of my eye and I think there may be a flashpoint coming.

[ryanmuegge]

2. Russia is very much interested in influencing our election.

They want to keep oil prices high, and electing a hawk like McCain will help them to that end.

[BB1]

3. There might be some shooting,

I doubt, however, that Russia will risk a headache from getting all of Europe agitated. It's too soon to start fighting again. Besides, the US has put some firepower into the Black Sea, and while they won't have the upper hand, they still have some punch. It would be a disaster, and the Russians can't risk that. Not in their backyard, at least.

Wasn't there some talk of Russia propping up missiles in Cuba again? Let's see how that works out.

[tannybogus]

Dupe.

[tannybogus]

4. I know the realpolitics of it.

However, if the shit hits the fan, it is too easy for things to get out of hand.
As more vessels enter the area, the possibility of something happening increases exponentially.
I hope nobody is intentionally going to try something. I am thinking about the accidental.:hi:

[BB1]

6. " Golf of Tonkin" has resonated round here

for the past two years. In a hundred years, people will be crying " 9/11" when describing shit like this.

I just hope Turkey doesn't mix in with it. If there's a large army in that part of the world, the Turkish would be it.

[tannybogus]

7. It has a resonance with me because

of the info that has come to light. I'm not sure
what I'll be saying years from now. I just hope it's
not remember the Black Sea.

[Junkdrawer]

5. Checkout the difference between BBC and CNN coverage:

Note how the US media edits out any suggestion that we're being provocative.

BBC:

US aid ship avoids Russian troops

The US military has steered a vessel carrying aid to war-torn Georgia away from its expected destination of Poti, a Georgian port occupied by Russia.

The ship instead docked in Batumi, another Black Sea port away from the self-imposed Russian zone of influence.

In a BBC interview, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev accused the US of taking weapons into Georgia under the guise of humanitarian aid.

The Pentagon denied the charge. It gave no reason for docking in Batumi.

...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7583801.stm

CNN:

Tensions build as U.S. ship arrives in Georgia

A U.S. Coast Guard ship carrying humanitarian aid docked in the Georgian Black Sea port of Batumi Wednesday, as Georgia's Western allies renewed their criticism of Russia amid escalating tensions.

The cutter Dallas bypassed its original destination, the Georgian port of Poti, which is controlled by Russian troops still in the country despite a cease-fire deal to end conflict between the two countries.

In another development Wednesday, Georgia has recalled some of its diplomatic staff from its Moscow embassy, Russia's foreign ministry said.

The arrival of the Dallas came as Western leaders renewed criticism of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's move Tuesday to recognize the independence of two Georgian breakaway provinces, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, over which Georgia and Russia have been fighting.

...

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/08/27/russia.georgia/index.html

[MadrasT]

8. Kicking

In hopes of getting the 5th "R". I freakin' hate the crap that's going on with Russia. It's a B-A-D deal all the way around. And with asshat Cheney on his way over there??? Nope, I'm not a happy camper.

I'll be in my fallout shelter if anybody needs me... :yoiks:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. Brought to us by the same brilliant crew who brought us "victory" in Iraq.

Unfortunately, the Russians, like the Iraqis, aren't following the script.

[bvar22]

10. 6 Deferment Dick wouldn't actually put HIS ass on the line.

Ho would be in a safe bunker somewhere watching on a video feed, giving orders over a loudspeaker, and masturbating with a grin on his sorry face.