NationStates Jolt Archive

Thousands of Georgians have gathered outside parliament saying they will not disperse until the president resigns. Saakashvili vows to stay in power.

...OK, so the title of the thread really is silly and isn't correct, but with the thread on the Moldova demonstrations still hanging around I just had to, sorry! :p

Anyway:

Protesters, numbering up to 60,000, blamed President Mikhail Saakashvili for defeat against Russia in August's war and said he had stifled democracy.

The opposition alleged that dozens of members were arrested before the rally - a claim denied by the government.
"I don't think that it should be a surprise that after we lost 20% of Georgian territory and have no democracy in the country, we are asking for the resignation of the president," said Nino Burjanadze.

Ms Burjanadze was formerly an ally of Mr Saakashvili but now leads the opposition Democratic Movement-United Georgia party.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7991026.stm

Personally, I believe he should leave office, and I'm almost surprised that he hasn't, considering the way he fucked up the situation with South Ossetia last year.

So what do you think? Should Saakashvili step down? Do you think anything will come of these demonstrations?

Backed by the US? Government needs to remain in power. shoot half the protesters and water board the rest.

Government needs to remain in power. shoot half the protesters and water board the rest.

But... but...

hey! That's what we Kommiez are supposed to do! (ok, apart from the waterboarding...)
STOP STEALING OUR JOBS! KOMMIE JOBS FOR KOMMIEZ!

;)

Let's colonize Georgia and force-convert them to Christianity! In the name of enlightenment and freedom! Who's with me?

But... but...

hey! That's what we Kommiez are supposed to do! (ok, apart from the waterboarding...)
STOP STEALING OUR JOBS! KOMMIE JOBS FOR KOMMIEZ!

;)

they could subcontract it out to the Chinese if they can do it cheaper. the joys of a global economy.

Let's colonize Georgia and force-convert them to Christianity! In the name of enlightenment and freedom! Who's with me?

You *do* realise that Georgians, as a people, were among the first Christian nations ever? It is even speculated that they converted before the Romans did 1600 years ago, and the very nation is thought by some to be named after Saint George (there are several competing explanations for the etymology of the name "Georgia").

Therefore, whatever.

Wow Gravlen, try and be a little less subtle who youre teasing next time :p

Except that the protestors in Moldova were chanting "Freedom! No more Communism! Freedom from Communism!" . . . where as the protestors here are not shouting "Freedom! No more Free-Market! Freedom from Capitalism!

Fail on the comparison.

Wow Gravlen, try and be a little less subtle who youre teasing next time :p
It was simply too tempting ;)

That said... No comments on the topic?

Except that the protestors in Moldova were chanting "Freedom! No more Communism! Freedom from Communism!" . . . where as the protestors here are not shouting "Freedom! No more Free-Market! Freedom from Capitalism!

Fail on the comparison.
Yes, because you can clearly see the comparison outlined in detail in the OP, when I made it clear that it was a silly title...

But while you have lots to say about the thousands who protested in Moldova, you have nothing to say about the tens of thousands who protest in Georgia? Is it another of those instances where you simply "don't care", or is it that you accept authoritarian rulers as long as they're on the economic "right"?

It was simply too tempting ;)

That said... No comments on the topic?

Reading the sources now.

You *do* realise that Georgians, as a people, were among the first Christian nations ever? It is even speculated that they converted before the Romans did 1600 years ago, and the very nation is thought by some to be named after Saint George (there are several competing explanations for the etymology of the name "Georgia").

Therefore, whatever.

Yeah, but they're not forced Christians. Yet. ;)

Liberty can only be brought about popular revolt inside a country.

Liberty can only be brought about popular revolt inside a country.

That's how Communism got started.

That's how Communism got started.
If you're referring to the 1917 February and October Revolutions, communism 'got started' way before them.

If you're referring to the 1917 February and October Revolutions, communism 'got started' way before them.

Of course, the Bolsheviks were pretty much brutal, authoritarian thugs with marginal popular support to begin with. Even their name implies that they, were, well, the minority of the groups struggling for power during the Revolution. Lenin was just better at killing off his enemies than his rivals...

Of course, the Bolsheviks were pretty much brutal, authoritarian thugs with marginal popular support to begin with.
Your point being...?

Let's colonize Georgia and force-convert them to Christianity! In the name of enlightenment and freedom! Who's with me?

Most Georgians are already Christians, dude. :p

If you're referring to the 1917 February and October Revolutions, communism 'got started' way before them.

1870, Paris Commune? (as for modern attempt at communism through revolt I mean...)

Once again, as with Moldova, I have a hard time not holding contempt in my bitter heart for protesters.

Posh, as a government bureaucrat, I can enforce greater change in an hour than two-million protesters can in a week. They're just a horde of ineffectual ninnies.

1870, Paris Commune? (as for modern attempt at communism through revolt I mean...)

Pshah, the Commune as Communism is primarily a myth, from my point of view. From my understanding, it was an emergency municipal government resulting from the Prussian siege formed primarily of the petit Bourgeoisie and militia. Hardly an attempt at Communism--made all the more so ludicrous to claim since it lasted for no more than a few weeks.

Most Georgians are already Christians, dude. :p

That was part of the humour of it. Didn't work, I see. :(

Once again, as with Moldova, I have a hard time not holding contempt in my bitter heart for protesters.

Posh, as a government bureaucrat, I can enforce greater change in an hour than two-million protesters can in a week. They're just a horde of ineffectual ninnies.So what you're saying is that instead of engaging in protest, they should engage in assassination?

nationalize georgia

Once again, as with Moldova, I have a hard time not holding contempt in my bitter heart for protesters.

Posh, as a government bureaucrat, I can enforce greater change in an hour than two-million protesters can in a week. They're just a horde of ineffectual ninnies.

So you've enacted regime change lately? Toppled a government recently?

Why shouldn't they show their strong disagreement in public? It's been effective both in Georgia and Ukraine not too long ago, and elsewhere too. Sitting at home with your thumb up your ass doesn't make anything change.

So what you're saying is that instead of engaging in protest, they should engage in assassination?

Or something--anything with greater efficacy than being a dope with a placard.

1870, Paris Commune? (as for modern attempt at communism through revolt I mean...)
I'm not sure; depends what you mean by 'modern', I suppose. There were a lot of Christian sects that practiced communistic living during the Reformation and the English Civil War, for example.

However, my point was that communism didn't start with either Marx or the Bolsheviks.

If you're referring to the 1917 February and October Revolutions, communism 'got started' way before them.

You're entirely right and wrong. You see, you're right that communism started well before Marx or any of the others; however, Communism (note the capital 'C') started with the October Revolutions.

But....i was rooting for the Russians, lol....

Or something--anything with greater efficacy than being a dope with a placard.

"Those who have changed the universe have never done it by changing officials, but always by inspiring the people."

--Napoleon Boneparte


"Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

--Margaret Mead