That's it...it's time to go! NATO declines to really punish Russia

It really shouldn't surprise anyone that Europe will never learn from her mistakes. Time after time, she cowered in the face of danger, rather than confront an imminent threat.

Germany, Soviet Union, Islamofascists, etc. just to name a few.

And again, Europe curled in the fetal position, pathetically sucking its thumb.

According to MSNBC.com, "NATO pulled its punches against Russia on Tuesday, suspending formal contacts as punishment for the Georgia invasion but bucking U.S. pressure for more severe penalties."

And in typical Russian fashion, the country's ambassador stated that Europe and the United States completely overreacted: "'The mountain gave birth to a mouse,' said Dmitry Rogozin.

Of course, the Russians claim they invaded Georgia to save citizens in South Ossetia, which has claimed independence from its parent country. With that said, the United Nations, to which most of the Left adhere, states that South Ossetia formerly belongs to Georgia: "The United Nations, European Union, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Council of the European Union, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and all other countries in the world recognize South Ossetia as part of Georgia."

So when the rest of world finally possessed the ability to do SOMETHING about Russian aggression, it sat on its hands...again.

Why is that? Could it be that Russia controls a massive flow of oil into Europe. In the past, when the Russians attempted to make a political point, they've cut off the flow of oil into Europe, as it did when it engaged in a trade row with Belarus, thus punishing Germany, Poland, and the Ukraine.

Earlier this year, Russia cut oil to the Czech Republic by 50%, citing "technical difficulties." Of course beneath the facade of such fabrications Russia cut oil to make a statement. Recently, the United States and the Czechs signed an agreement to place missiles on Czech soil.

As Scotsman.com says, Russia knows it can invade Georgia under the guise of protecting its citizens in South Ossetia without fear or reprisal. She knows that Europe depends to a large extent on Russian oil.

"The subtext of the Russian invasion is the so-called Nabucco pipeline. This is a project being promoted by the EC to run natural gas from Azerbaijan, through Georgia and Turkey, and thence into the EU, via a major natural gas hub in Austria. Nabucco would by-pass Russia, relieving Europe of its risky dependence on Russian gas. The EU gets around 40 per cent of its gas from Russia, but this will rise to well over half as energy demand intensifies. Unfortunately, Moscow is prone to turning off the gas tap if it does not get what it wants politically."

Of course the United States' hands are tied as well. It's already overextended in Iraq and Afghanistan, with a potential for further conflict in Iran if her nuclear program cannot be curtailed. Our gestures and statements have essentially

The bottom line is that Russia has the upper hand. It knows it can sway decisions based almost purely on energy needs.

"I was able to get a sense of his soul"

In a June 16th, 2001 news conference, President George Bush and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed their friendship and supposed "cooperation" between the two countries.

"I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy.

We had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul, a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country. And I appreciated so very much the frank dialogue. There was no kind of diplomatic chit chat, trying to throw each other off balance."

You were horribly mistaken, Mr. President.

Contrast that conversation, where Bush egregiously misjudged Putin, to the state of relations today between the two countries, as a new cold war has become a reality. According to Townhall.com, Russia has now threatened neighboring Poland with a potential military response if they agree to accept a U.S. missile interceptor base.

This, on top of the recent incursion into Georgia by the Russian military to "rescue" its citizens in South Ossetia.

What caused the President to so horribly miscalculate Putin?

American hubris was rampant after the Soviet Union disintegrated...typical American arrogance (do you hear that, Barry Hussein Obama?). Our pride led to overconfidence; thus we dropped our vigilance to our former Cold War enemy.

In the past ten years or so, Putin has led Russia back from bankruptcy, established itself as a dominant oil power, and rebuilt its military. It is now relevant once again. Moreover, consider Russia's hand in the Iran nuclear fiasco: Moscow supplies fuel to Iran's nuclear reactor in Bushehr as well as providing missiles to Iran in the event of an Israeli or United States-led attack on its nuclear sites.

"The system would theoretically permit Iran to intercept some cruise missiles as well as airborne missiles that U.S., Israeli or other western countries might use in an effort to keep the terrorist-supporting nation from developing nuclear weapons or using them."

Additionally, Russia and China have blocked efforts from the West to disband Iran's nuclear program.

As Rosemary Roberts of news-record.com states, the Russian bear is on the growl once again. They're looking to reestablish itself as hegemony in the region, whether it's flexing its military muscle in Georgia or Chechnya, controlling the flow of oil and natural gas to its European neighbors, killing dissidents, or threatening its neighbors.

Unfortunately, the United States is not only overextended in Iraq and Afghanistan, it has the looming threat of Iran on its plate, as well as the very real possibility that our country is in dire economic straights. If there was ever a time for Europe to grow a set and 1.) united with the United States; 2) send a strong message to message, NOW is the time.