Russia action shows we need McCain

In a speech in February 2007 at the Munich Conference on Security Policy, Putin made it quite clear that Russia would no longer abide by the set of laws of the democratic West.

At the time John McCain warned against "needless confrontation" by Moscow. No other American or European official at the conference spoke up.

The invasion of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by Russia did not come out of left field. Beginning in 2005, Putin cut off access to Russian markets, expelled Georgians from Russia, increased the price of Russian energy fourfold and severed its transport links.

Why? Because Georgia was becoming a successful democracy.

Mr. Putin reportedly described Ukraine as "not a real nation" to President Bush at their meeting in Sochi earlier this year.

Those of us old enough to remember will be reminded of what happened in Hungary in 1956 or in Prague in 1968, not to mention Adolph Hitler's ambitions and Neville Chamberlain's naiveté.

For those too young, take heed that "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

What's at stake? Only international law, energy security, NATO's future and American credibility when it comes to supporting new democracies.

Michael J. Hanley

Park Ridge