Mind own business

The Russians should stay on their side of the fence and mind their own business. Let them pick on someone their own size.

ANGELA PERILLO, Methuen

Stay out of it

Just stay out of it. We don't need any more problems. Fighting one war is all we can handle.

VIOLA HAYNES, Methuen

Help an ally

Georgia is an ally of ours. We need to send them all the help we can. When we are in trouble, hopefully, our allies will come forward to assist us. We cannot allow evil to exist in the world.

CHRISTINE BRADLEY, Haverhill

Saber rattling

A war with Russia is unthinkable, and McCain's saber rattling is no way to influence a nation that has also become a world power and is not easily cowed. The problem is best solved around a table at which dire consequences to both countries are discussed. Reason must be used to resolve the issue of allowing autonomous status to an independent Georgia, which has its own internal problem with South Ossetia, not to be meddled with by Russia. Maybe we should invade Russia; they really have WMD!

DANTE IPPOLITO, Norwell

Responsible action

The United States have taken responsible action in supporting our ally and democratic state of Georgia. Our military is in Georgia, training their troops for combat, and Secretary of State Rice has correctly gone to Georgia and brokered a cease fire of both sides and insisting on withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia's territory. It is of course a delicate situation and could disintegrate, but we are using the right amount of diplomacy and force without getting into a greater conflict. The European countries and NATO need to support this action and denounce Russian hostilities.

JIM CASSIDY, Bradford

Diplomacy

In this case no immediate military invasion or even terrorist danger is presented to the U.S. borders, airspace, or its citizens or armed forces overseas. The Bush administration has only about 149 days left in office. Not much time to solve anything like this. No matter how we view ourselves, many foreigners, including political leaders, believe the Bush family is willing to do virtually anything by any means to get at foreign nations' oil reserves and other natural resources. I'm not for sanctions against Russia. Russia is rich in oil, natural gas, precious metals and timber. Economically, this isn't the time to make more enemies. We should trade something for something. And continue our productive joint space program. Since it's Bush, with Cheney and Rice, I don't see diplomacy as anything Russia or Georgia will recognize from the White House, despite public statements from the two foreign nations showing otherwise.

DAVID H. YAGHMOORIAN, Lawrence