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Politico reports breathlessly that George W. Bush’s administration “considered—and rejected—a military response to Russia’s 2008 invasion of Georgia.” Andrew Sullivan draws the conclusion that the Bush team “came close” to bombing Georgia to stop Russian troops from pouring into the tiny country through a critical tunnel. But that’s not really what the article says.

The key quote, in the sixth paragraph of the story, explains that “No principal advocated the use of force.” It’s both appropriate and unsurprising that Bush and Cheney’s national security aides—or the national security aides to any president—would lay out all the potential responses to a crisis like the invasion of Georgia. And it’s only responsible for the pricipals—actual decisionmakers like Bush, Cheney, and National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley—to discuss all the options. But if none of the actual decisionmakers ever pushed to use military force, it’s hard to argue that it was seriously considered. This really seems like a non-story.

Kevin is traveling today.

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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