No, Anchorage in the US so the Canadian's shelling that city would be an attack on the US. No one really believes that Russia has any claim to sovereignty over South Ossentia. It is only a question of the Russians formenting separatism, by, for example, handing out the passports. Keep in mind that just because a majority of people in a local enclave would prefer to move to another country doesn't give them that right under any reasonable theory - the American civil war being a famous case in point.

By the way, what "US goals" are you referring to? The US attempts to encircle the great Russian people? Obtain a monopoly on Georgian foods? This "US goals" theory is just another red herring that people determined to apoligize for the Russian government's overbearing stupidity cling to in desperation - if there is a problem anywhere in the world why, it must be the fault of the Americans - or the Jews.

First strike? I don't recall the Geogians attacking Anchorage, I mean, Russia.

The '38 analogy has been made quite clear, and by the Russians themselves. They claim a veto over the foreign policy decisions of their independent neighbors, who indivdiually and collectively have suffered greatly under Russian rule and have much more to fear from the Russians than vice versa.

It is interesting that you find humiliating the president as "disproportionate" while considering the invasion of a country - with the streets littered with dead bodies - not disproportionate. Guess I wouldn't want to piss you off.

As of this writing, the Russians show no signs of moving out of Georgia. I really hope that do come to their senses and defuse the situation. They will think they have made their "point" and can congatulate themselves on the restraint they show. That would probably be a smart move at this point. But unfortunately, Russia rarely finds a way to choose the path that is in her own self interest.

"Selling their votes to the US" doesn't even deserve a response.