Dateline: BUCHAREST

Proof of the fact that the Russian aviation is deliberately targeting civilians. Watch the footage here.

Domino theory revisited? I was never a fan. But now that Georgia is being attacked, I can only imagine that no resistence from the West will embolden Russia to the point where they would seek to build on their success. Regardless if you are a believer in old school Realist thinking, Brzezinsky’s interview on Huffington Post is worth the read. [Thank you Adi for pointing it out to me - sometimes it's good to have people reading the Conservative press as well ]

Dear Friends,

You probably have been following shocking news about blatant Russian military aggression against the sovereign Republic of Georgia. Russian army has violated the internationally recognized borders and invaded Georgia, which has been on steady course to consolidating its democracy and joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Unfortunately, this aspiration of Georgia has turned out to be a major nuisance for the belligerent Russian government.

Despite the continuous tensions between the two countries and Russia’s permanent menaces, no one could imagine that Russia could start this reckless campaign against its neighboring country and openly invade it. Failing to stop Russia will send a message to Moscow that their brutality will be unpunished and will encourage them to further carry out aggression elsewhere in Europe. This is not only a defining moment in the life of Georgia, but also is a defining moment for the future of democracy in the region and in Europe.

Friends, I am sending you a link to the petition that I put together which I will send to the Leaders of the Free World and International Organizations. Please, take a couple of  minutes to read and sign the petition.

YOUR SIGNATURE IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!

http://www.petitiononline.com/557799/

Please, forward this message to as many people as you can, if you believe and care about human lives, freedom and democracy.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Vasil Jaiani

A lesson in propaganda: Russia Today has the word GENOCIDE splattered all across its screen. Watch a live stream here.

How do Russians support their claim? They say over 1600 civilians have died in South Ossetia, that Georgians have reduced Tskhinvali to ruins, destroyed 5 Ossetian villages, and have forced tens of thousands of South Ossetians to flee over the border. Georgia, Russians claim, has caused a humanitarian catastrophe in South Ossetia. Also, Russia denies having bombed targets inside Georgia.

The scale of propaganda and deceit by Russia does a lot to help assess the gravity of the situation, and should determine the West to take a firmer stance against Moscow.

For a different perspective, look at this interview by EurasiaNet, where a wounded Georgian soldier talks about Russian jet bombing Tskhinvali.

Edward Lucas shares his take on the ongoing conflict in Georgia. The author of ‘The New Cold War’ considers that Georgia has fallen into Russia’s trap and now faces a dire prospect. He rejects claims that the Tbilisi regime is undemocratic, and says that the West should stand behind Georgia, now more than ever. Interesting article, well worth the read.

Russia Today, August 8

August 8
23:25 GMT - Georgia resumes intensive shelling of Tskhinvali’s residential quarters.

22:50 GMT - Heavy shelling reported in Tskhinvali.

22:00 GMT - Georgia resumes intensive fire on residential areas in Tskhinvali, the Peacekeepers’ commander says, reports TASS news agency.

21:27 GMT - South Ossetia’s military have downed a Georgian attack plane, the Russian Vesti television channel reports. The fall of the blazing plane was videotaped. The fate of the pilot remains unknown. Continue Reading »

Acum cateva zile am auzit la radio ca suntem vicecampioni europeni la crestere economica, cu o rata de crestere anualizata de 8,2%. Carcotasul din mine a spus: deh, daca la fotbal nu s-a putut, macar aici… Iar patriotul din mine a fredonat cateva versuri din desteapta-te romane, ca la meci…

Chiar daca e vorba doar de datele pe primul trimestru din 2008, chiar daca e vorba de o crestere bazata in mare parte pe creditare [care se duce in consum] si pe boom-ul din constructii, vestile sunt oricum bune, si, in ritmul asta, in 20 de ani chiar o sa depasim Italia.

Cum se vede cresterea economica din traficul din Bucuresti? Observ o crestere a sofisticarii agentilor economici prezenti in micul comert din trafic. Pe parte de retail, pe langa prezenta, dimineata devreme, a comerciantilor de ziare, am observat aparitia persoanelor care vand accesorii de masina, la orele amiezii, pe varii bulevarde din capitala. Am fost dezamagit insa de faptul ca acesti antreprenori nu aveau de vanzare covorasele de masina de care am nevoie… Si n-am gasit niciun numar de relatii cu clientii la care sa fac aceasta sugestie.

Pe parte de servicii, activitatea economica se profileaza in continuare pe industriile traditionale: respectiv sexul si spalatul geamurilor. Daca in ceea ce priveste primul domeniu nu prea e mare lucru de spus, in industria spalarii de parbrize constat o nevoie urgenta de modernizare si retehnologizare a micilor intreprinzatori, care se folosesc in continuare de utilajele standard, respectiv chestia aia cu burete pe o parte si cauciuc pe cealalta, si, bineinteles, sticla de 2l plina cu un lichid de culoare incerta. In schimb, observ o mai buna selectare a clientelei. Baietii nu se mai duc nici la daciile berlina, nici la matizurile de firma, nici la gipanele populate de personaje fioroase. Observ in schimb o tendinta de precision targeting a soferilor ‘old school’ cu masini decente, domni de 50-60 de ani, consumatori de zaraza, obisnuiti cu serviciile si privilegiile din alte epoci.

Pe parte de marketing, am fost impresionat de pustiul de 19-20 de ani care, in intersectia Titulescu cu Felix, impartea pliante. Atitudinea lui imi spunea ca ar putea fi vorba de ceva interesant pentru MINE, ca potential client. Degajarea si zambetul lui imi inspirau incredere, ma faceau sa vad despre ce e vorba. Aflat la doua randuri de masina in fata, si sarind peugeot-ul cu mine la volan, s-a indreptat drept spre mine si, privindu-ma in ochi, mi-a intins flyer-ul. Hipnotizat, am coborat putin geamul, in ciuda arsitei de afara, si am acceptat obiectul promotional: NIRVANA MASSAGE: Lasa-te in mana noastra! Moment in care am realizat ca, EU, soferul oarecare din trafic, bucuresteanul grabit, metrosexualul manque, corespund profilului clientelei target a Nirvana Massage. Pustiul care distribuia flyer-ele stia asta, si eu simteam acelasi lucru…

Asadar, pana in momentul in care fiecare roman, fiecare om al muncii isi va putea permite clipele de rafinament si relaxare oferite de Nirvana Massage, eu nu pot decat sa va doresc: enjoy the economic boom, and escape the traffic!