Shock! Government Admits Lies! And Apologizes!

What's this? A government that lied to its people about a security issue of national significance? Well, that would have to be those nasty Russians, wouldn't it!

But wait a minute, what's this? A government that admits that it lied? Well, that's just .... undemocratic!!!

"It doesn't suit our president," a Kremlin spokesman said. "Lies, which really acted in the terrorists' favor, did not suit him at all. Lies were weakening us and making the terrorists more violent."

Well, it all sounds very healing and positive, doesn't it? Sadly, however, this is just another ruse to deflect blame from Putin and give him carte blanche for new draconian measures against "terrorists".

Meanwhile, the fundamental rights of the Chechen people remain ignored. I am not supporting terrorism by any means, but atrocities like Beslan and 9/11 will not be stopped until the legitimate grievances of oppressed people like the Chechens and Palestinians are properly addressed. This is the fundamental truth that politicians like Putin and Bush continue to ignore, at our peril.

It's time to stop using "terrorism" as a political tool and start fixing the root problems which forment it.