FT Headline Softens Blow on Russian Invasion of Georgia

Note to the Financial Times: When one nation sends tanks and troops across the border into another sovereign nation, that's an invasion, not an "invasion," even when you're quoting President Bush. An acute case of Bush Derangement Syndrome needn't cloud editorial judgment.

Yet that's precisely what the FT did in the August 12 paper as headline writers chose to dismissively place the word "invasion" in quote marks for the front page story, "Bush slams Russia 'invasion'" (emphasis mine):

President George W. Bush last night accused Russia of invading Georgia and said Moscow appeared to be mounting an effort to overthrow the "duly elected government" in Tbilisi.

The sharply tougher tone from Washington came after Russia defied mounting international pressure and opened a new front in its five-day-old war with Georgia yesterday, sending tanks and troops deeper into the territory of its southern neighbour.

"Russia has invaded a sovereign neighbouring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people. Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century," Mr Bush said.

So there's a five-day-old war but the FT can't bring itself to admit Russia has in fact invaded its neighbor to the south?

According to Dictionary.com to invade is "to enter forcefully as an enemy; go into with hostile intent" or "to enter as if to take possession." The fact that the Russian government had practically demanded the resignation of Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili prior to diplomatic talks further proves the hostile intent of the military incursion.