I tell you what.

New Hurricane Potential.

Hm.

I realized these last few entries would begin to displace all the other entries from today off the front page of the blog. So, I'll end here for now and finish it tomorrow morning.

Let's hope the lid is still on nuclear war by then and Bush hasn't blown a gasket and done something stupid.

Russia took a day off, long enough to reflect on its priorities. I stated before, Georgia is destined for different sovereignty. The rest of the world needs to take responsibility for this escalation of Russian authority and step back from 'any brink' to ensure the humanitarian aid to Georgia reaches people that are still alive and not victimized as 'the front on global war.'

Good-bye for now.

Man in the Chair

Christopher Plummer propelled this film into its content. He made everything fall into place, includng the justifible lawlessness pervading the characters.

The film revolves around persons with talent and their lack of fiscal clout to express themselves. The youngest of the cast is a high school student longing to make a 'short film' that matters while in contest for a prize.

He meets an elderly man that lives with a group of 'old stage hands' in a home where they are pent up without venues for their continued desire for expression. Hence, the plot for a film that entertains the imagination for the potential of elder abuse as tempered by a young man seeking purpose beyond being pleasing to parents.

What surprised me was the degree violence was engaged as an aspect of content to this film. There are several times when violence intermingles with the story line and brings about the reality that poverty begets different priorities at any age.

Without giving the ending away, the story resounds in unusual content except for the heart warming reality time goes forward in the human condition and it is tempered by those we meet along the way.

Anvil - The Story of Anvil

If they were only better looking. That is the only conclusion I could possibly come to in reflecting on the exclusion of "Anvil" from the heavy metal success of groups such as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Van Halen.

Maybe its because they were from Canada?

The movie is a hugely wonderful documentary that reaches the depths of friendship and the devasting feelings of ? failure ? resulting in a lives lived in love with their music and the struggle to be heard.

I am sorry folks, but, these guys are good.

The airing of their film might be another chapter if futility for Anvil, but, I would sincerely hope this is one of realizing the perfection years of dedication can bring to a performer.

Some would criticise them for existing at all 'at their age' but the reality is there are many artists from that era remaining on the stage and enjoying their continued popularity. In all honesty, they add to the bouyancy of Democracy whether anyone wants to realize it or not.

I purchased their CD after the appearance and performance following the film. I didn't 'stick around' for autographs as I had to get to the next film, but, many people stayed for signatures and photos as well.

Anvil generously played at Union Street Station that evening for those that just couldn't get enough.

The largest of the venues was packed. Perhaps, 'SOLD OUT' is a better set of words for the airing of this film. That should tell everyone something.

Sympathy for the Lobster

Sabina Guzzanti comes of age. She is brilliant. She more than adequaitely has directed a film thick with satire that maps out the frustration of independent artists involved in political content.

This film supports Sabina's love of film and desire to express political content within that media.

She is an important player in Italy if there is ever to be a replacement of the corrupt conservative right wing of that government which dominates 'the day.' She brings a 'stage/platform' for change in Italy that is a gathering place for ideas.

This film illuminates her skills and intellect while scaldingly assigns satire to the purpose of media activism. The artists involved, as Michael Moore will well testify, suffer immeasurably for their loyalty to 'the cause.' That suffering is based in 'preceived' lack of success of their films to change its audiences' priorities in political venues toward the moral content of the documentary.

Artists, by nature, are fluid in their expression. Due to that fact, they use humor and satire to portray issues that otherwise go unnoticed. They are brave and undaunted in perfecting their craft and if this film says anything about Sabina's talent than let it be the reassurance that Italy has a magnificent director of material very similar to the documentary style of Moore.

This work of fiction must have been a relief for Sabina to express herself without championing a cause while still making strong political statements regarding 'the state of her craft' and her personal growth within it.

I congratulate her. This is a captivating film that leaves you concerned for her while realizing she, if not someone else, simply 'had to make this film.'

Dinner with the President - A Nation's Journey

This was also a must see film for me. I passed up a 'to die for' film about Antarctica to specifically see this film. It answered a myriad of questions for me.

The most profound question it answered is why a government backed with enormous amounts of USA cash would result in a resurgence of Taliban that would propagate further war in Afghanistan.

The reality of 'the truth' regarding the role Pakistan plays in continued proliferation of terrorists and their networks, which twice attacked a Former Prime Minister and successfully killed her, is found in the destructuring of the former Pakistan government by the Musharraf coup.

His own words, coming from his own mouth during his interactions with the author to this film indicts him.

The film seeks the reasons why women are so victimized as political icons burdened with 'veils' as opposed to the reality that they long to live without them and the freedom that accompanies that. The author does not give the former Prime Minister Benazir a free pass either as she states, "...but, she wears one as well."

During the interview with Musharraf the 'organizational' level of the Pakistan government is revealed. Literally, Musharraf took an organized government and decentralized it to the tribal level while calling it 'Democracy.' It turned loose hugely varying philosophies and diatribes of authority rather than 'the rule of law.' It also explains why there have been attempts to assassinate him.

There is no relief for the Pakistani people from the anarchy Musharraf flourishes. And to think he wrote a book to entertain the American public with 'ideas' of his political justification; is to realize the isolation he literally has been able to secure for himself that protects him from the reality of 'The Pakistan Street.'

Perez Musharraf is a war lord and the monies paid to Pakistan by the Rumsfeld military strategy helped secure a dictator/general for Pakistan that has turned loose every available resource to facilitate terrorist havens.

Musharraf's 'definition' of DEMOCRACY is to provide 'local authority' with ultimate authority. There is no 'representative' government in Pakistan which is why it has been nearly impossible to hold elections within that country.

ANY ELECTION OTHER THAN PRESIDENT is completely meaningless unless you are tribal elder. There exists no 'rule of law' in Pakistan under Musharraf, but, only 'continued class struggles' at the local level which feeds local militias and nurtures global terrorists.

If it weren't for the generous words of criticism by Benazir Bhutto of Bush in regard to the Presidential elections in Pakistan, we would still be allowing the government of a war lord and coup leader to propagate terrorism. She was more than a friend to the USA, she was a pivotal ally.

The film is a charming inquistion into political dynamics that are boasted to by Musharraf whereby women are excluded in very real mechanisms to change in Pakistan.

The most impressive aspect to this film, other than the President indicting himself, is the discourse that occurs with a tribal conclave between elders and the author. It was a female risk to even confront the tribal conclave, yet alone succeed in disbanding it in disgust for its ridicule of female freedoms.

It is completely obvious how 'inherited' slavery exists in Pakistan and how 'sentencing' of enforcable rape takes place. The Pakistan tribal conclaves are based in vengeance and not in national laws enforced equitably by dedicated authority. It is more than possible the Taliban flourished in anarchy among these tribes and an even greater possiblity Bin Laden is among them.

Let the Right One In

The long existing question as to how vampires survive has been answered.
Man, what a blastedly good thriller film this was.
This Swedish interpretation of survival of modern day vampires felt as though there was blood in the aisles. No lie. There was no lack of frankly obvious blood and decaying bodies.
The real clincher to this thriller was the 'child' element. For all my life I have envisioned vampires as adults. Well, guess what? They can be children, too.
The logic in this thriller jars the conscious and compels the viewer. The victimization of the pschye by the reality of a child vampire and what that means to parenting became all to imposing.
Magnificent work.
Within this thriller existed the Michael Moore theme of 'justice of the underdog' and that was more amazing than any other aspect of the festival that blended an emotional rollercoaster into its content and interest.
I could not believe this film was conceived and actually existed. It was entertainment unexpected and refreshing at a point in the festival where distraction served to return me to reality 'of the moment.'

Head Wind

Iranaians are NOT in isolation. I can only imagine what the Bush Propaganda media is doing to these people.
The other title to the film should be "How to make an Ayatollah crazy."
The state run media of Iran has little affect to the majority of those influenced by 'independent television access.
The West needs to relax as there is no danger to the proliferation of independent media in Iran. The determination that these folks seek 'homemade' satellite dishes is daughting. I wonder how much Israeli TV is actually viewed in Iran.
The Iranian government virtually has given up in attempting control of the volume if satellite dish TV among its populous. The police run raids on occassion to keep the Ayatollah happy, but, as soon as the dishes are gone there are more in their place.
The film is more a reality into the lack of understanding of commercial ventures than it is anti-Ayatollah. The satellite dish network of Iran is alive and healthy facilitated by entrepeneurs that manufacture their products in very primative methods. The manufacturer of the satellite dishes literally delivers it by bicycle and sets up the signal to the awaiting television as well.
This film was absolutely amazing and speaks to the commonality of the human experience and the need for self gratification and freedom.
I found it more entertaining than enlightening. I sincerely am not afraid of Iran, so much concerned for its corner on primative independent media moguls.

Body of War

An adventure worth taking with Phil Donahue (click here).
I passed up "Kenny" to stand in a waiting line for this film. It was worth every minute of waiting.
I did not anticipate the strong anti-war content. I thought this would be a film that would simply honor 'the veteran,' but it also provided opposition to the Iraq invasion that was 'new' and completely welcome.
Body of War took great pains to allow the personality of its subject to dominate the content of the film. We all are aware of Iraq War Veterans Against the War that sometimes is viewed by a greater society as a 'grudge match' with the priorities of war by the current administration. This film removes any doubt regarding the 'disposable' nature assigned by The Bush/Cheney Executive Branch of our miiltary personnel.
Phil took the reality of his subject to a level any organized and commercial media service never broached, not even The Washington Post in its criticism of Walter Reed.
Our soldiers are being given 'The Bums' Rush' when it comes to their war injuries and any potential for complete recovery or ability to live a quasi-normal life.
The film made me wonder if The Geneva Conventions covered the abuse of a government of its veterans, because there are 'human rights' violations of the American military personnel as well as their recruiting services that became an underlying reality of this film. The expectations of this veteran for his purpose in enlisting and the resultant life 'he was left' are nothing short of 'merchanising' war for palatability with no promise by the USA military to live up to its' commercialization of war.
The physical condition of this generation of Disabled Vet is grossly different with poorer prognosis than I ever expected going into this film. Phil provided an opportunity for this veteran to meet one of a previous war. The 'time' given in recovery to past generations of Disabled Vets was vastly more comprehensive, both in 'physical content and the prioriites of mental health.' Tomas, the subject of the film, literally loses his very promising marriage to ghosts of masculine failure. Those quality of life issues were NOT a problem to a role model Tomas visited which clearly defined an America 'out of sync' with its loyality to their soldiers.
Phil Donahue's commitment to his subject didn't stop with Tomas' message regarding the war, it portrayed in unspoken images the reality of a man neglected by his country. It made me wonder how much of an Iraq War Disabled Veteran's life was for the purpose of medical research rather than support for body and life style changes, because their mental health has been completely discarded as a priority.
Phil's dedication to his subject resulted in a friendship that continues today. He informed the audience to the continually deteriorating physical condition of Tomas which was undoubtedly faciliated by his aloneness in life.
Senator Byrd appears in the film as a friend to Tomas. Together they mark the legislators that voted 'NO' to Iraq's illegal invasion. Senator Byrd characterizes the nay sayers as "The Immortal 23." And indeed, the reality to that fact is overwhelming.

Up The Yangtze

The picture above did not cinematically dominate the film content in actual film footage or time so much as theme. The film focused most of its cinematography on a tourist boat of the Yangtze River. This river was 'lost' in its natural spendor to the demands of The Three Gorges Dam.
The social content of the picture was dramatic including loss of opportunity of Chinese youth to advanced education due to economic strife. Don't tell me for one minute that is not a growing reality in the USA, because it is and what overwhelming is a burgeoning awareness to 'cultural content' of countries dominated by Bush Empire Dreamscapes.
The film chronicled the change in the water levels, both actual and anticipated, of a river that would contribute to a huge China project that may prove to provide necessary water to the people of that nation, if the dam holds up to the 'weight stress' of such high volunes of water behind concrete..
As witnessed with the 2008 Olympics as well, China goes to great length to portray an image that is immaculate of flaws. To that end the people of China are served in their importance and political dedication to them.
China is a People's Republic. It should pay attention to its populous and be the promise of their futures. In that reality is also the content of high population demands met by a government that copes as best it can.
The film is not a ridicule to China, except in the minds of the movie goers. There was every reason to believe the Chinese government actually consented to this film as it portrays a strong reality in the sacrifices of its younger members in finding a foothold to economic survival. It also reveals a commitment to 'love of family' with a reality tempered by the demands of Communism and its removal of family members to work priorities.
The success to these huge building projects by China is not due to mechanization facilitated by fiscal wealth, but, in harnessing physical laborers to accomplish what many smaller countries with similar economic issues cannot achieve. Every brick laid for the 'lining' of the water canal leading to the dam was by hand. That goes for the manufacture of the stones themselves.
China is a not a 'comfy' country to live in and relies on its people to facilitate its growth. There is no way American labor wages can apply in China, but, the nation does need to provide a great health care content to its rural populations. If the Chinese people love their country enough to devote lives to its construction and uplifting from impoverishment, then they should be supplied a healthful longevity that rewards the reflection of old age.
The film is cinematically rich and when put into content to China's political reality vs USA becomes more revealing than the average film goer might anticipate. I enjoyed it, especially in 'revealing' the Chinese struggle as well as its success.
Excellant film.

Bigger, Stronger, Faster

Wicked co-dependency.

The film places into perspective the reality of anabolic steriods and the unfortunate relationship they have with the American male persona.

It profiles three brothers and their exposure to a male identity that should be shelved along with the morphing of GI Joe through the years.

The reality is that 'risk taking' with anabolic steriods is more demonized than reality. The dangers of 'using' are real, but, they are also in the minority of health concerns of American men and boys.

At the other end of 'using' are real rewards in that if 'you make it' there is wealth and financial security. It should be noted the success of such priorities in the USA only propagates the abuse of average people that are conceptualizing their own opportunity.

"Using" anabolic steriods surmounts to 'living a lie.' The realities of 'super-human' content exist through eugenics. The film also and appropriately so, examines this fact of life. In other words, if genetics can be captured by those that can afford it to harness economic success then why shouldn't those that can't afford it be excluded from that exclusive club? Anabolic steriods is the answer to 'average genetic content' in a world destined to win at all costs, including 'Speedo suits' that are either standard issue to all Olympic swimmers OR NOT !

The film was a real eye opener in that it revealed a reality not pursued by media that see opposition to anabolic steriod use as a political volley for Republicans and a distraction from illegal wars.

The moral content to this film was gratifying while it explored 'the truth' beyond a shadow of a doubt regarding anabolic steriods.

This film was no different at its conclusion than most of the others which provided access to the film makers and stars for Q and A sessions. It was interesting to say the least.

The Youngest Candidate

This is the film I longed to see from the first view of the festival catalog. I had no idea the director of the film was actually a Michael Moore prodigy.

The film followed the burgeoning careers of four political candidates that some would characterize as 'bearly out of diapers.'

I was completely 'about this concept'. The driving force behind the promotion of young candidates has several venues.

To begin, our political content in the USA has become 'Old World,' in that, it has also become corrupted. If there is one reality this film portrayed with each candiate is their commitment to wholesomeness of character while promoting their belief in 'truth in government and lack of corruption.'

These young people are exciting and full of potential. To that end, Mr. Pollock has not abandoned them to their inability to be elected 'in the first go round.' He is forming a non-profit group to support these young people and faciliate their priorities for government without thrusting their defeat into priorities of 'becoming part of the problem' in order to be elected.

This film has potential beyond its content. It has the promise of a return to government of, by and for the people. It 'sorta' is a film before its time, except, in the year 2008 we actually do have a "Candidate for Change."

4 months, 3 weeks and 2 days

The female plight of having, but, not owning a uterus. It 'examines' the reality of a country, namely Romania, and its lack of comprehensive support to women (click here).

This film was long overdue to be shown in the USA. It encompasses a 'revisit' to the nighmarish reality of women that are faced with lack of access to abortion. Increasingly in the USA, the political content of legalized abortion is shrinking to the point of enforcing 'back street' abortions once again. We have already witnessed women 'taking chances' with their lives in having the force of baseball bats leveled against already expectant bellies.

To that end, this film provides some of the most desperate of circumstances of women faced with few choices in birth control, while exploited for their sexual nature to a society that little values them otherwise.

Impoverishment of culture is the underlying content to this film. Where a society seeks richness in cultural content it extends its ability to support an economy that uplifts both genders and provides opportunity.

In a waning economic reality of the USA that permeates global dynamics one of the first places women will find suffering is their 'uterine' reality.

Women were born with a uterus, that does NOT entitle any society to 'trap' them into a reality of servitude to its potential.

This film is powerfully contented with completely disgusting potentials to a reality that at one time the USA left behind as a form of gender slavery.

Sleep Dealer

Nothing short of scary.

This film delves into the 'values' affiliated with the illegal immigration of the Mexican-American border. It explores a reality yet to be realized in that people whom would risk their lives to cross the border to the USA engaged in risking their lives by becoming a cyborg to the American construction industry.

The characters all have interesting, but, desperate content to their personalities while exploiting the realities of cyborg opportunities for an income in a 'speciality city' in Mexico. They become 'equipped' with electronic enhancements to their neuro-muscular systems that literally could kill them if not exhaust them into submission for the lack of a vital economy in Mexico.

The 'back drop' to the movement of the characters to this particular fictious city in Mexico is the 'reality' of the very poor water quality and availability to the people of Mexico.

The film is exciting and action packed with political imagineering.

I liked this film as it gave permission for exploration into the pains of illegal immigration which will probably come to an end with the next USA Presidential elections and a change in policy with Mexico that faciliates its own economy while disabling it as a parasite to the USA.

Persepolis (The Movie) - My first movie of the festival.

The name of the film is actually an ancient site in Iran. The site's Iranian name is Takht-e-Jamshid, "The throne of Jamshid", a mythical King of Iran.
The ancient name is "Parsa", "Pars's Town". Provincial of Fars. Altitude 1,800 meters, 60 km N-E of Shiraz on an excellent road, 420 km S of Esfahan on a good road. International airport at Shiraz. National airport at Persepolis. (click here).

That stated, this was one of the many films that lavished the 'theme' of woman.
It followed an Iranian girl through her years of growing up which included tragedy in deaths of children little different from herself. This film also had a 'safety' element to it in that the girl was protected by doting Iranian parents 'in tune' to the dangers of living within a country then pulsing with political and military uncertainty.
Her young adult years were spent aboard; no different than many wealthy children exported for their own safety and intellectual enhancement.
She proved to find life challenging 'in The West' and eventually returned home where her values did not conflict with culture surrounding her life circumstances.
The film is animated in tones of black and white which allows its treacherous emotional content to be digested without overwhelming the psyche. It is not light in content, but, well done and worth seeing. It left a lasting impression on me, but, then that is the case with most of the films at this festival.

Opening Night Party of the Fourth Traverse City Film Festival

Traverse City, Michigan is a great little town, poised on Lake Michigan, there is always a breeze that provides for a pleasant climate no matter the weather.

The evening of "The Opening" was faced with a threat of strong storms. The Opening Night Party was moved from Wade-Trim to a huge tent at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. This type of foresight in the 'detail' attended to by Michael Moore personally is simply astounding. You have to know that everyone attending is accepted as 'his personal friend' and nothing less.

At one point when 'festival transportation' was challenged with 'street fair traffic' Mike stated he would personally transport anyone needing same within the festival activities if there was failure otherwise. Mike is a good and loyal friend and that is translated into every aspect of this festival.

To that reality proves a successful film festival now in its fourth year and continuing to grow with the bravery that takes. It makes the Traverse City Film Festival experience a challenge and 'a reality check,' especially for someone that has attended from its beginning. Make no doubt about it, the TCFF is a powerhouse of political content and there is no end in sight.

Getting past 'the safe haven' that surrounds TFCC, the enjoyment of the evening is not to be understated. The tent was filled with music for dancing within reasonable decibels that filled the dance floor while catered food and spirits flowed without end.

To coin a cliche, "A good time was enjoyed by all," with the band never holding back.

The beginning of the festival was enhanced by a volley of bids for Mike's Baseball Cap which spilled over onto the dance floor when Michael made an appearance. There is a stunning sporting rivalry between the universities in Michigan and to that end donations were volleyed to enhance 'the fun' of the atmosphere permeating the festival.

Great evening. Thank you, Mike.

Opening Night Film - Vicky Christina Barcelona

The film was completely enjoyable, but, the overwhelming theme was simply "The man is a gland," which brings me to the question, "What is it with Woody Allen?"

The film was pure entertainment and the stars were absolutely wonderful. The undertone to the film was serious. It was the indulgence of adult sexuality and its rewards and pitfalls.

In a world where woman are coveted as 'political icons' this film completely dispells that reality and places women back 'in the game' of sexuality and fun. I applaud Woody Allen for that affirmation of adult consent, as it is long overdue and completely needed in a nation 'Post Bush.'

Thank you, Woody, the film fest would not have been the same without both you and the stars that lined the 'activity' within the film that created 'adult adventure' and 'permission.'

Life is supposed to be spicey and a relief to any 'life worth living' when mundane boredom surmounts the values of 'societal consent.'

Great film, good fun.

With the price of gas and the reality of Human Induced Global Warming, simply getting to Traverse City proved worth it.

It's Wednesday Morning

Cherry, Cherry by Neil Diamond

Baby loves me
Yes, yes she does
Ah, the girs outta sight, yeah
Says she loves me
Yes, yes she does
Gonna show me tonight, yeah

She got the way to move me, cherry
She got the way to groove me
She got the way to move me
She got the way to groove me

Tell your mama, girl, I cant stay long
We got things we gotta catch up on
Mmm, you know
You know what Im sayin
Cant stand still while the music is playin

Yaint got no right
No, no you dont
Ah, to be so exiting
Wont need bright lights
No, no we wontGonna make our own lightning

She got the way to move me, cherry
She got the way to groove me
She got the way to move me
She got the way to groove me

No, we wont tell a soul where we gone to
Girl, we do whatever we want to
Ah, I love the way that you do me
Cherry, babe, you really get to me

She got the way to move me, cherry
She got the way to groove me
She got the way to move me
She got the way to groove me

Let's take a look at the TCFF before the world goes into complete political collapse and WW III ensues.

Just a word about what is being volleyed about and I am not talking Olympics.

The circumstances in Georgia isn't about Russia, it is about the disproportionate hubris of The West. The last thing any country needs right now is someone like John McCain stating we are all Georgians and this is about Russia reclaiming the Russian Empire. I got the feeling McCain was about to declare war on Dead Czars.

We are not all Georgians and that is exactly the problem in that this is a highly ethnic region where by the 'break away' provinces are DEFINATELY not Georgians.

The map above clearly illustrates the 'consequences' to a passive Russia. Moscow is only a stone's throw from the conflict region and the place where Bush and the USA Republicans are willing to sell missile shield defenses.

Besides the obvious greed of USA military contractors in placing missile shields at Russian borders, it is completely obvious these so call 'strategic' locations are simply an impetus to further war. Like, ah, why are not they selling missile defense to Russia if Iran is such a threat to the ENTIRE region?

If Germany feels threatened by Iran missiles then they need to locate their 'defense arsenal of missile shield' in Germany. The fact of the matter is that would irritate economic ties between Germany and Russia and therefore The West and its spineless strategy of using fossil fuels displaced their national defense needs on former Soviet states because they are 'easy pickins.'

Former Soviet States broke away from Russia and while Moscow continued to build diplomatic relationships with them, The West saw this as an opportunity to divide and conquer. While these 'nation/states' were within the 'concept' of Russian sovereignty The West wouldn't dream of treating them as potential for war paraphernalia market places.

The approach by and of these small nations was completely "W"rong and ill conceived, obviously based in 'profit/loss' statements and not sound foreign policy. These nations are tenuous at best. Economic strategies should have resulted and nothing more, while any military approach for them should have been in regard to 'internal' competencies which could later and easily be expanded to accommodate the approach of international defense strategies.

In other words, Bush/Cheney greed simply 'blew it.' They placed 'at risk' the very lives of the people of this region without any ability to secure their borders while using a 'blood sucking' strategy in Iraq and AGAIN substituting other countries people for their own military strength.

Russia simply observed, planned and deployed when necessary. The diplomatic corp of Russia chronically stated they would not tolerate The West's issues with them and they won't.

The 'idea' Bush continues to propagate in that Russia is now his bastard child and ostracized from international relations and benevolence is nothing but rhetoric backed by the threat of nuclear holocaust. Plainly put, "The Bush/Cheney approach to international relations by escalating military build up is completely STUPID and this is the result." If one asked the people now dead, that weren't a week ago, they would say the same thing.

THE WORLD IS NOT THE USA'S OSYTER !!!!!!!!

Any UN Resolution that treats Russia as an invading entity, when it was their sovereignty at risk along with the 'ethnic sovereignty' of the regions in question will fail. Just because 'The West' is surprised and feels vulnerable now is no reason to over react, further 'wedging' Russia into a defensive stance will only guarantee escalation of the circumstances without any chance of resolve.

If the UN wants a 'fig leaf' extended in this conflict, it needs to elevate any concern by Russia in the face of obvious aggressions by current USA Foreign Policy. In doing so, it will extend 'the right' of Russia to exist and to act in protections of people that were once theirs to claim. When that is settled, there is no reason for peace to be evaded in the name of sovereignty and economic developments between all countries globally can flourish without fear of reprisal.

I remind that before there was an escalation of tensions, well over a year ago, between the USA's idea of 'international defense' and Russia's concerns for protection of their country and poeple, there was vast more economic 'fluidity' in the region INCLUDING that of Russia itself. The current 'state of affairs' of all these countries is to propagate war and you can place 'real money (if you have any)' on the idea of a 'war zone' between Europe and Russia which IS now established as The Former Soviet States. Is that what the UN wants as a final result of this decades long struggle?

Accepting Russia's right to exist while providing the 'idea' of 'safety' to the region that was once the USSR depends on 'cooperation' of concerns including Russia's desire to join international organizations such as NATO. If Russia were a member of NATO, it could hardly form strategies of defense against the very nations it was now aligned.

Russia is a major military power on Earth and the sooner all countries realize that and INCLUDE the Russian people in a global peace rather than a 'global conquest strategy' the sooner terrorist networks will be dismantled and NON-PROLIFERATION can ensue.

If anything is to be learned from this episode of Earth History regarding the 'tenuous' stability of global sovereignty; it is that 'pandering' to Neocons in order to control them is simply a stupid idea. "Playing" to Bush was an extremely poor idea and while the USA 'continues to be contained' in Iraq; to allow such 'ideas' of invasion, as if there was no other strategy against it, only allowed 'the build' up of military hardware globally and facilitated instability.

IF ANY COUNTRY needed economic sanctions over six years ago, it was the USA. It should have been limited in its 'content' internationally far more than it was and should have been forced to 'deal with' its 'real war' in Afghanistan while 'chalking up Saddam Hussein' to UN strategies that despite exploitation for wealth 'still worked' to contain any and all efforts otherwise.

Karzai tried to resolve tensions between Iran and the USA at the very onset of the Afghanistan invasion without the global acclaim by the UN and today The West is at risk of its own stability and sovereignty than ever before.

Honestly.

What has everyone been thinking?