Russia 'distributing passports in the Crimea'

Wait, someone has to explain this to me, because I'm apparently really slow on the uptake.

How is it an act of aggression to hand out passports?

Thank you all for your reasonable answers. I'm not sure I agree, but I'm always appreciative of reasonable arguments.

*jefwane*
Well, the region in question has always identified with Russia more than Georgia, to the tune of 80-90% of the population I think. If they want to be Russians, and Russia will accept them, I don't see what's wrong with it. Does Georgia have some sort of right to lock people up and prevent them from giving their allegiance to another country? Seems like slavery.

Certainly they could legally kick out Russian citizens if it came to that?

I think the pretext for involvement is unnecessary, but maybe I'm wrong. The context for involvement in this case was the deaths of Russian citizens acting in the capacity of peace-keepers on S.O. soil.

*vox*
It was 'good' when Georgia wanted to separate from Russia, but it's 'bad' when S.O. wants to separate from Georgia. Why?

*Turiddu*
I think you sort of made my argument for me - these regions have a majority pro-Russian stance. They WANT to be affiliated with Russia. The breakaway republics obviously have governments that were installed by the West (except in maybe one case, I'm not sure about that one). Some citizens don't appreciate that turn of events.

Seems to me that in the spirit of freedom that ostensibly drove the color revolutions, places like Georgia and Ukraine should respect the rights of these regions that identify more with Russia. Their territorial integrity is, apparently, more important to them than the freedom of their citizens.

Where have I heard that before? Wasn't that the criticism that came from the West when Russia tried to intervene in Ukraine?

I dunno - but this all smells like hypocrisy to me. Politicians are standing up in these breakaway republics and saying "We deserve freedom from Russia, but you there, you don't deserve freedom from us!"

*justice*

Russia must be stopped at all costs,and Putin removed as he is now a threat to the world by threatening us with nuclear annihilation.

I must have missed that speech where Putin threatened to nuke America...

If you're talking about the Poland issue, you (and the MSM media) are blowing the comments made way out of proportion. I think you both know this...

I must have missed the part in your post where you replied to the points I made. Maybe try again?

Putin is in control of the country - is this supposed to be a secret? 75% of the Russian people agree with his actions in most cases and believe he's the right man to lead the nation. Why shouldn't he be in control, with that sort of approval rating?

He's consistently done what's in the best interest of the country and her people. You hate him for that. His people love him for that. Deal.

Maybe your issues stem from the fact that 'The Bear' is no longer under the control of a guy bought and paid for by TPTB in London and New York? Yeah, I think that's it...

My argument is so weak that you won't address it directly, but you have to pull out a straw man?

You think Russians are so stupid they don't know whether or not they like Putin? Have you actually seen the press coverage of the man in his home country? It's not all glowing.

If you just think Americans are genetically superior or something, there's no arguing with you - you will never see reason.

F.Y.I. - Your mascot, the laughing smiley emoticon, is not an acceptable substitute for intelligent discourse.

You haven't got a response to the comparison I made between the actions of Russia in regards to S.O. and the actions of America in regards to Georgia/Ukraine/etc., have you?