Georgia on my mind

Russia invades Georgia, while Bush sits back enjoying the Olymlpics. Will history remember Bush as the "vacation president?"

And what about his relationship with Putin? I guess Bush didn't see this when he looked deeply into Putin's eyes.

And the timing on Putin's part is excellent. The U.S. military is strapped with two wars while the administration pounds the war drum about Iran. Our economy is in shambles. And our lame Congress just went out for its August recess.

And ... the world's attention is on the Olympics this week, so it's a perfect time for an invasion!

So how did the administration respond?

Well, as mentioned above, Bush thought it more important to watch beach volleyball. Condi Rice couldn't be bothered actually GOING to Russia to complain. The New York Times reports:

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sent a mid-level State Department official, Matt Bryza, to the region to back up mediation efforts which are being led by Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner of France. [...]

Democratic critics of the Bush administration criticized the administration’s moves so far as weak. Richard C. Holbrooke, the former United States ambassador to the United Nations, noted that President Nicolas Sarkozy of France was leading the efforts to mediate.

Ms. Rice, Mr. Holbrooke said, should be on a plane to Moscow, particularly given the administration’s close ties to Georgia, and its encouragement of that country’s efforts to join NATO.

“Their idea of an envoy is Matt Bryza, who is not an envoy at all since he doesn’t have the international standing,” Mr. Holbrooke said. “What administration in history would not have sent somebody to Moscow immediately? Why are we not in their face?”

Thank goodness France is taking this seriously.

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