[Steel_Tomb]

Skybird, I agree that they caught the civilians by surprise but I disagree that Georgia is to blame for all of this. If you look at the run up, I think its Russia's doing. military "exercises" all across the boarder? separatist forces taking pot shots at Georgia hoping for a response? Remember that there have been calls for a truce and negotiations from Georgia prior to this fighting, those calls went unanswered. Russia has been planning to take over Georgia from the beginning, not just for gaining territory but to get rid of a pro-west regime and to take control of the energy resources in the south. Why would Georgia want to pick a fight with russia now anyway? They know they cant win a war, they are trying to protect their own interests against an aggressive, expansionist super power on their doorstep. The Russian media spin is also working perfectly, making out the Georgians to be the nasty aggressive people who sparked this conflict. They even accused Georgia of "ethnic-cleansing" for **** sake, I mean come on! What kind of bull**** is that?! To think that Russia has no personal agenda to furfil in this war is very naieve!