Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

August 11, 2008

The deepening military conflict between Russia and its former republic, Georgia, offers a potent reminder of George Washington?s wise advice that America should stay out of foreign conflicts.

Under the rule of American-educated Mikhail Saakashvili, Georgian forces invaded the breakaway province of South Ossetia, whose population is predominantly ethnic Russian. That attack killed ten Russian troops and hundreds of Russian civilians. Russia mounted a retaliatory attack against Georgia, and Saakashvili ? who was brought to power with Washington?s aid ? appealed for help from the United States.

Washington has unwisely maintained a small military presence in Georgia since at least 1993. Serious proposals have been made to bring that oil-rich nation into the NATO alliance. Had that happened, the NATO treaty would commit us to war with Russia ? a truly ominous prospect. Our only productive role in this conflict would be to use our diplomatic influence to bring it quickly to an end.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.