Russia reminds us world is dangerous

While the world celebrated peace in Beijing at the Olympics, Russia brutally invaded Georgia, a tiny country that has adopted democracy after being freed from the Soviet Union. Slaughtering civilians, robbing banks and destroying cities, former KGB leader Vladimir Putin reintroduced the Russian thug from the Cold War to the world. They have now also threatened the Ukraine and Poland. In case nobody has noticed, Russia has also turned off oil and gas to Poland, the Ukraine and other parts of Europe when they dare to take positions counter to Russian positions. Russia has also provided Iran with nuclear technology and stopped United Nations efforts to sanction Iran as they pursue nuclear weapons. Finally, Russia has been busy purchasing all of Libya's oil and natural gas and declaring that the Arctic oil reservoir as their property in anticipation of the growing demand for oil in the future.

This is a timely reminder that we need to elect strong leaders who understand that the first priority of a federal government is the protection of our country by insuring that we are the strongest nation on earth. Conflict is eternal and the best way to insure peace is through strength and the will to use it if required. In addition, we need to worry less about polar bears and more about the coming global conflict over oil and tap all of our own energy resources now as we look for energy alternatives in the future. We can't afford to be held hostage over oil like Russia is holding Europe hostage. And for those that think that war is not a real threat in our generation, watch what is happening in Georgia and remember the words of Plato, "Only the dead have seen the end of war." Between Russian aggressiveness, Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons and its promise to annihilate Israel and the growing world crisis over oil availability, war is once again a real possibility. We must be strong and ready.

Randy Rossi

Grayslake