HOT HOT HOT: I am sorry if you are actually looking for new posts every day. It's too hot and I'm too tired to post at the end of the day. I have never had such blisters on my feet! I will just share my thoughts on the Georgian-Russian situation which I prepared to send out to a list serve for Georgian culture that I've been a part of for a few years. However, I chose not to send it there for fear of being misunderstood.

My experience with Georgia is limited to two visits back in 2002 and 2004 and the time I spent (5 years+ various other times ranging from 1988 to present) in Russia. I have a deep respect and appreciation for the Georgian country, culture and people.

I was in Maikop near Krasnodar when the first public situation took place (the analytical panel was a good historical briefing on the situation). All I had access to was Russian news. I had little internet access and read a bit of Western press. If I had been in the States at the time, I would have been "enveloped" in the American mass media machine. I am now back in Moscow until Thursday.

Thanks to the Satvistomo listserve that I am on, I have also added some valuable depth with some of the other news analyses. It's been very helpful. Here's an interesting link that I received:

http://app2.capitalreach.com/esp1204/servlet/tc?cn=aei&c=10162&s=20271&e=10307&&espmt=2

It's an hour and a half panel discussion on the historical situation.

My conversations with Russians here have probably been about as limited to the conversations that many of the Georgians and Russians probably have with the Average American - peripheral at best. HOwever, those conversations I have had here in Russia have been tinged with some real anti-American anti-Georgian pro-Russian perspectives and I tried to stay as neutral as possible. Strong emotions would not help to change perspectives. Not being Georgian or Russian, but understanding "some" of the historical and cultural issues involved from all sides, I try to remain empathic and sensitive. I realized it's more of a challenge for those closer to the situation (Russian/Ossetian/Georgian). I try to read and absorb the news and analyses with a critical eye and I don't want to appear indifferent to the depth of emotions involved and the impact that this situation is having on so many regular people - including soldiers on both sides who must follow orders, regardless of what they are. Embedded in these orders are these cultural and political perspectives, which only aid to inflame the atrocities further.

My respect and appreciation for the beauty and compassion within the hearts of all the ethnic cultures involved have helped me to understand, but not accept, what is happening.

I keep all involved and effected in my heart and thoughts and hope that this gets resolved quickly. I pray that those who have the power to etiher inflict more hurt and pain or facilitate peace, will somehow utilize the amazing power that they have to be critical and sensitive.

As best as we can as members of this site (there are 162 members listed here) - perhaps we can be a small part in creating awareness and perpetuating a peaceful and more interconnected approach to this complex cultural and political situation that is creating devastation and destruction. This is so much a part of our collective history as human beings. Our neighbors and relatives are where we can begin.

I share with you the idea to hold in your hearts all victims and look deeply at your own hearts to help to heal the physical and emotional damage that is being inflicted in Ossetia and Georgia today. One remarkable man who has helped me in my life to deal with anger is Thich Naht Hanh. Here's a link to his wisdom and a book that I recommend:

http://www.alibris.com/search/books/qwork/323262/used/Anger:%20Wisdom%20for%20Cooling%20the%20Flames


Peace,