Georgia - Does it Matter to YOU?

In English we would say: We have canceled the entire day of broadcast on channel NST in mourning of the deaths in Southern Ossetia. (Pro- Russian or anti-Russian? We are not sure because we are not sure where this broadcast originates. Either way, tears stream down my face.)

Last night at dinner the subject of the current war in Georgia and South Ossetia came up. Our host, a young man in his 30's, told us he expects war eventually between Ukraine and Russia. His basic words to us were, "We are one people. How can I take up arms against my brother? There will be a Civil War in Ukraine. I cannot fight against my brothers. Russia needs to leave us alone. We are a free and independent country. Russia needs to leave Geogia alone." He even refered to the American Civil War as an example of what he expects to happen. His words were said in sorrow, in anger, in fear. He looked at his young wife across the table as he spoke, eyes filled with anguish.

This war is only about 400 miles away from us. The naval base that Russia leases from Ukraine is only a 3+ hour drive away from us.

This is only a part of the beginning, this war with Georgia. Even if all the bombing and killing stopped immediately - this is just the beginning. Don't be fooled. Russia wants it all back - Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova - and possibly then on to the Stans (Uzbekistan, Kazahkstan, etc.)

Does it matter to YOU what is going on?

We know Sergei. And Kolya. And Andrei. And Oleg. And Vitaly. And Bogdan. And Ivan. And Vova. And Yuri. And Robert. And Sasha.

We know their wives or girlfriends.
We know their children.

It matters to us a great deal.
Aug. 9: Georgian soldiers run past a building hit by Russian bomb in Gori, 50 miles from Tbilisi. FoxNews