I'm writing again from the road this week.
So while you all have been watching Michael Phelps' unbelievable margin of victory, sobbing over Jen and John's supposed breakup and aligning your perfect fantasy football teams, I've been on vacation. But just because I've checked out of reality for a little while, doesn't mean I've abandoned my post on the Street Team.
In fact, on a harrowing drive along California's Highway 1, I did listen to a little NPR and I've come up with the perfect blog post. Let me give you a little background: My husband and I were in our Ford Focus rental testing each other on obscure country capitols. (What's the capitol of Argentina? What's the Capitol of Thailand? Etc...) Finally, he turned to me and asked, "What's the capital of Georgia?" I was stumped. I had no clue. He said, "Atlanta. Duh."
It was supposed to be funny.
Anyway, it made me realize how little I really do know about the Republic of Georgia. So, I decided to do some research (for your sake and mine). Hope this will help provide some context next time you turn on CNN.
In case you've been in a hole (or on vacation, too) Russia has recently invaded the Republic of Georgia. It's a small country straddling the border of Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia. It's capitol city is Tbilisi (thank you very much). It has over 4 million inhabitants and it's about the size of my home state of South Carolina. It's actually only really been around as a free country since 1991 when the Soviet Union broke apart. And here's where the conflict with Russia started. Apparently due to stressful relations during this time period - when Georgia broke free from Soviet and Russian control - Russia still harbors some seeds of resentment. This is root of the conflict today.
Now, you're probably wondering why I'm spending so much time writing about this war in eastern Europe. You're thinking "What does it have to do with our election?" Well, it could potentially have a substantial impact on the outcome.
As we're all evaluating the candidate's abilities to foster positive international relations, this conflict between Georgia and Russian could provide the real-live backdrop to test their wherewithal.
Here's what the candidates are saying about the recent fighting: You've probably already heard McCain's goof this week when he said, "My friends, we have reached a crisis, the first probably serious crisis internationally since the end of the Cold War. This is an act of aggression." Memories of the Gulf War, 9/11, the war in Afghanistan and the Iraq War must have momentarily escaped his memory.
To be fair, many are saying that McCain - with his extensive military experience - is the man to handle this kind of job. Last week former Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman praised McCain's experience, deriding recent comments made by Obama. "And if you read the statements from the beginning, Senator McCain and Senator Obama, one had kind of moral neutrality to it that comes I think from inexperience," Lieberman said. "The other, Senator McCain, was strong and clear and principled and put America where America always wants to be."
During the same week, Obama urged the two countries to use caution. "I strongly condemn the outbreak of violence in Georgia, and urge an immediate end to armed conflict. Now is the time for Georgia and Russia to show restraint, and to avoid an escalation to full scale war. Georgia's territorial integrity must be respected," Obama said.
His critics said this phrasing was too mild and should have shown more authority and more leadership. But in the end, it's not the critics or the pundits or the bigwig politicians who will decide the outcome of the election. It will be you. And in November, it will be your turn to Choose or Lose.