The Georgian-Russian Conflict

I'm no foreign policy expert, but here is how I access the current situation: If South Ossetia wanted independence from Georgia, for whatever reason, Georgia should have looked more seriously into the request instead of just dismissing it.  Secondly, if the Russian rebels in South Ossetia were attacking the mainland of Georgia, Georgia did have a right to defend itself and it's people. Thirdly, Russia had no reason whatsoever to interject themselves in this essentially civil dispute.  Russia should not have sent troops into Georgian territory.  This aggressive act by Russia really needs to be a turning point in regards to the U.S. foreign policy towards Russia and Putin.  Too long has George Bush appeased Putin.  Putin has one goal in mind: returning Russia to it's Cold War power status.  

I have long held the opinion that Iraq, Iran, and North Korea are not the most dangerous countries to the U.S. and the western world.  Pakistan and Russia are.  Pakistan because it has nuclear weapons that could unfortunately fall in to the hands of terrorists and Russia for its complete disregard for basic human rights and it's authoritarian nature.  

Let me be clear: I do not advocate the U.S. getting involved in this dispute between Russia and Georgia. We should mind our own business.  What I do advocate, however, is the U.S. getting tougher with Russia in regards to diplomacy and our foreign policy.  Russia is not our enemy, but they sure as hell aren't our friends.  We need to have some "straight talk" with Russia and let them know, in the strongest terms, that the U.S. does not, in any way, condone it's policies, either domestically or internationally.  In many ways, Putin has been testing to see how far he can push the envelope with the U.S. and western Europe.  It is about time we push back.