This isn't about rich folks vs poor folks in the third world countries. It is about pure, unabashed power and territorialism.

And excuse me, but just how, after a hundred years of terrorising the Chechens, are the Russians being prevented from "doing the right thing" now? This "can't give in to terrorists" is a bit too Thatherite and Reaganesque for my tastes. Please Putin, stop the slaughter of innocents by giving in and getting the Russian troops the hell out.

I'm on the side of the hostage takers, even though I feel very bereft about the circumstances for all involved.