Issues Under Fire: Unfazed by Threats, Putin Celebrates Crimea's Return

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Wednesday March 19, 2014 · 5:36 AM PDT

2014/03/19 · 05:36

no image description available — Signed Sealed & Delivered

Signed Sealed & Delivered

Unfazed by Threats, Putin Celebrates Crimea's Return

Brushing off sanctions, Russia has formally claimed Crimea as the legitimate spoils of an unindented conflict. In an effort to defuse heightened tensions, Vladimir Putin indicated the Russian Federation has no desire for, nor any designs on Eastern Ukraine. Whether Western powers are smart enough to accept this new reality remains to be seen.

In defense of his actions, the Russian President gave his Western counterparts a sizable piece of his mind, as he rattled off a litany of charges, from blatant hypocrisy to conduct unbecoming an exceptional nation. Blaming Western meddling in Russian affairs for the crisis, he told his parliament and the Russian people he did what any leader would do to protect vital national interest at risk.

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Tuesday March 18, 2014 · 5:18 AM PDT

2014/03/18 · 05:18

Imagine What Obama Could Accomplish With A Docile Congress!

Putin Says, Let the Sanctions Begin

With both sides solidly grounded in their respective narratives, the stage has been set for an escalating conflict. The East-West rhetoric will only grow louder and stronger, as each side justifies exacting a price for its adversary's actions.

Since we've past the point of anyone backing down or admitting any wrongs, expect calls for providing military assistance to eventually be answered. With President Obama being pressured by the GOP to respond with ever increasing strength to show Russia America still has what it takes, it won't be long before push comes to shove.

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Monday March 17, 2014 · 5:29 AM PDT

2014/03/17 · 05:29

If the People are Happy, Nothing Else Matters

Defying "Western Click of Nations" Putin Frees Crimea

Watching Crimeans dancing in Lenin Square after voting overwhelmingly to breakaway from Ukraine must have irked US and EU leaders responsible for responding. The people of Crimea saw an opportunity to finally sever ties between a corrupt insolvent inept and unstable government and they took it. Russian influenced or not, most of Crimea felt Russia was the best option moving forward.

lbines

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Friday March 14, 2014 · 4:05 AM PDT

2014/03/14 · 04:05

On the Loose Again!

Will someone Please Notify the President:

This time leading a full contingent of U.S. Congressional kooks and crazies, John McCain heads back to Ukraine under the delusion of offering assistance in establishing a viable functioning government. Notwithstanding the fact that Sen. McCain nor any of his cohorts in dysfunction has ever participated in a functioning government, but the revolt in Ukraine was a repudiation of the very type of government McCain and company represents. Besides, the dumb bastards won’t even have a check in hand when they arrive!

lbines

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Thursday March 13, 2014 · 5:58 AM PDT

2014/03/13 · 05:58

What About the American Oligarchs?

After President Obama gave Ukraine interim PM Yatsenyuk a platform to plead his case for world assistance, many have yet to be convinced this overblown crisis should take America's eyes off its own challenges. While White House officials seek sanctions to pressure Russian oligarchs, there's precious little attention paid to American oligarchs pressuring America's middle and lower classes.

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Wednesday March 12, 2014 · 5:04 AM PDT

2014/03/12 · 05:04

Should This Man Be Put to Sleep?

As we await the vote for Crimea, it give us space to review important background stuff before it gets lost in the borscht. Since history is rewritten by the hour lately, its critical to document events as they unfold.

Questions for Today:

Did John McCain's premature visit to Ukraine's Independence Square in a show of support for "the opposition" give Vladimir Putin the excuse, cover and opportunity to grab and hold Crimea? Could this international rancor been avoided had McCain kept his meddlesome ass stateside and let those who understand the 21st century handle complicated foreign policy issues? Was John McCain one of the Western meddlers Vladimir Putin was referring to when making his case against Western interference?

lbines

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Tuesday March 11, 2014 · 6:09 AM PDT

2014/03/11 · 06:09

Some Brain Trust

Since there's a break in the action until Crimea's Referendum vote to officially rejoin Russia this coming Sunday, I thought it might be helpful to address an ancillary issue that may have contributed to Barack Obama's ill fated option selections in handling the collapse of Ukraine.

When U.S. Presidents engages the international community to promote and enforce American values, foreign policy and global interest, they're relying heavily on advisors and intelligence gathering entities to keep them up to speed, in the loop and fully prepared. When that advise and intel is faulty, it is the President, the U.S. military, the nation's taxpayers and innocent victims who ultimately pay the price.
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Issues Under Fire: Obama's Rush to Legitimize Ukraine's Fledgling Usurpers

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Monday March 10, 2014 · 5:48 AM PDT

2014/03/10 · 05:48

In a desperate effort to keep pace with Vladimir Putin as the Russian Federation quickly establishes facts on the ground in Crimea, the Obama administration announced Ukraine interim Prime Minister will be received at the White House Wednesday.

Racing to legitimize Mr. Arseniy Yatsenyuk may be the only way the United States can pressure Russia into accepting the West's man in Ukraine.

lbines

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Thursday March 06, 2014 · 5:23 AM PST

2014/03/06 · 05:23

Taking power by baseball bats and molotov cocktails is not Democracy. Russia, grabbing and securing the moral high ground, has the U.S. fighting uphill defending lawlessness and hooliganism as an acceptable option to the Democratic process. Without even taking the time to vet the opposition, the United State has found itself backing a makeshift, fight-by-night element, only masquerading as a legitimate government.

Unfortunately, U.S. and it's Western partners have clearly adopted the philosophy of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend". Simply jumping on the side of anybody that would pose a threat to Russia for pay back was dumb and inconsistent with stated American values. That concept failed in Syria, Libya and it will fail in Ukraine.

lbines

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Wednesday March 05, 2014 · 5:58 AM PST

2014/03/05 · 05:58

Struggling for a Response, Western Powers Challenge Putin's Sanity:

Far from screwy, Vladimir Putin is way ahead in the sane game as he's out maneuvered the West in every foreign policy engagement for the last decade. Putin has a plan, plotted a course and is preparing the Russian Federation for the next level of global influence. Greatness is Vladimir Putin's goal.

As long as the West remain in reactive mode, it'll never be able to counter Putin's ambitions. Because Western powers simply don't understand Putin's strategy, they can't follow his logic or anticipate his next moves. Hence, the Russian leader must be delusional and operating within an alternate reality. Now that's crazy!

Since some are clearly having difficulties comprehending Putin's motives and messaging, I'll try to explain how the Russian leader saw events unfold and why he took the actions he did. Putting myself in Putin's place, when he answered that "three AM Call" it was Viktor Yanukovyck on the line pleading for help.

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Tuesday March 04, 2014 · 5:32 AM PST

2014/03/04 · 05:32

Putin Says Crimea Invasion Was by Invitation Only:
Considering Putin views his incursion into Crimea as a matter of protecting vital interest against rough, rowdy and racist rebels, he felt compelled to roll in with Russian ruffians to rumble with the radicals on their turf. If bat wielding wild men could chase Viktor Yanukovych out of his own country, anybody coming to the rescue had better arrive ready for a real fight.

And by the way, you read correctly when I said racist rebels. Word is, among the ranks of Ukraine's most rebellious are card carrying Nazi types angling for a more pure version of their country. It didn't take a lot of digging to find confirmation of extremist views emanating from "some" Ukrainians.

lbines

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Monday March 03, 2014 · 5:27 AM PST

2014/03/03 · 05:27

Obama Broods Over Brewing Borscht Battle Spreading Beyond Crimea

Before jumping into the Battle for the Borscht, it'd be a good idea to identify and evaluate Ukraine's opposition to ousted president Viktor Yanukovych. With a history of corruption cronyism and oligarchical rule, the huge numbers of protestors occupying Kiev's Independent Square could be cloaking some real creeps.

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Issues Under Fire: Unfazed by Threats, Putin Celebrates Crimea's Return

Issues Under Fire: Putin Says, Let the Sanctions Begin

Issues Under Fire: Defying "Western Click of Nations" Putin Frees Crimea

Issues Under Fire: Mr. President, John McCain Has Escaped Confinement Again

Issues Under Fire: What About the American Oligarchs?

Issues Under Fire: Did John McCain Give Putin the Excuse

Issues Under Fire: Bad Advice Lead Obama Down a Ukraine Rabbit Hole

Issues Under Fire: Obama's Rush to Legitimize Ukraine's Fledgling Usurpers

Issues Under Fire: Russia Rejects Western Backed Roughnecks

Issues Under Fire: Struggling for a Response, Western Powers Challenge Putin's Sanity

Issues Under FIre: Vladimir Putin Says Crimea Invasion Was by Invitation Only

Issue Under Fire: Obama Broods Over Brewing Borscht Battle