Republican's Plea To Governor Palin

By Babu G. Ranganathan

Photo: Republican's Plea To Governor Palin

Dear Governor Palin,

As an Indian-American who is a fellow Christian, Republican, Conservative, and pro-life, please let me share some advice. The West should not be criticizing Russia but instead should be scolding the nation of Georgia!

It was Georgia that sent U.S. supported and trained military troops to kill scores of defenseless Russians in South Ossetia who wanted independence from Georgia. Russia sent in troops to put an end to the slaughter of its own people! This is Russia's neighborhood and Russia has a right to defend its people. We have no right to be there giving military training and weapons to Georgia.

Why is President Bush antagonizing Russia by expanding NATO and wanting to build missiles in countries neighboring Russia? Russia is no longer the Soviet Union. It was Russia that let those neighboring countries, including Georgia, to become free and independent in the first place. Russia is now democratic. So, why should we expand NATO and develop missile shield treaties with Russia's neighbors?

Read Mikhail Gorbachev's excellent article criticizing the West's reaction to Russia (Read his article at here).

The fact is that Gorbachev is a humble man without an egotistic chip on his shoulder. He was the primary instrument for the dissolution of the former Soviet Union. If he were a proud or arrogant man he would have become dictator which he did not. I would rather give benefit of doubt to Gorbachev's wisdom than the so-called "infallible" conservative think tanks of the West like the NRO.

The former Soviet republic of Georgia, with its newly U.S. supported arrogance, made the first move in massively attacking Russian citizens in the province of Ossetia. Oh, I see now. It's okay for Georgia to want independence from the former Soviet Union which Russia controlled, but it's not okay for Russians of Ossetia to want independence. What logic!

Why couldn't Georgia agree, as Gorbachev said, to a loose federation between the both? But, oh no, the proud Georgians don't want anything but absolute control. The Georgians started the killing of innocents with their massive U.S. trained and supported military might. Russia responded. What else could they do when they see thousands of their own people being ruthlessly slaughtered and killed?

If Russia was really imperialistic they would have still remained in Georgia and the West would have been able to do nothing about it. Admit it, West, Russia is not always wrong and the U.S. is not always right!

Please read Gorbachev's fantastic article and contemplate first before accusing Russia on Ossetia! This a tragedy for everyone. The U.S. need not exacerbate it!

The author, Babu G. Ranganathan, has his B.A. with concentrations in theology and biology, and has been recognized for his writings on religion and science in the 24th edition of Marquis "Who's Who In The East". His website may be accessed at www.religionscience.com .