A President So Strong, He Threatens To Boycott the G8 Summit in Russia LOL LOL LOL (middle east, generation)
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I wish that those who offer criticism over President Obama's lack of tools to work with, regarding Ukraine, would offer some of their own advise.
Based on many actions elsewhere over the last 5 years, Obama's only real option regarding Ukraine is to hit Russia as hard as he can in their wallets. Most other sanction/energy export/diplomatic efforts will take years to take any measurable effect, much less back down an ex-KGB thug in his own backyard. And neocon knuckleheads suggesting a show of force with the USS Bush in the Black sea have this absurd notion that carriers are awe inspiring to opposing navies as they are to juvenile notions of "big = awesome."
Obama's own policies, compounding Dubyah, Clinton and GHWB's policies towards Russia have boxed him in, and his own domestic agenda, like crushing carbon based energy production, running up massive debt and endless printing of fiat money (for more, see "Russia and China reducing USD in national currency and debt portfolios"), etc have basically removed all his serious economic options. Toss in his acquiescence on Syria and backing away from/tap dancing semantically on the "red line" and add in Dubyah not doing anything regarding Georgia, and Putin should properly feel safe and cozy smacking Ukraine around in Crimea, and even going further.
The day before they invaded, they told Kerry they wouldn't and Kerry said he was assured by the Kremlin there was nothing to worry about and we should believe them. Point being, talk and speeches does nothing but provide opportunities for Russia to make the US look like clowns. So stop talking about stuff you cannot or will not do, and just use the global financial system to make the Russian wealthy feel pain that will then be transferred to the Kremlin. It's all Obama really has at this point, but would require political courage, given how embedded the American and Euro rich are with the Russian rich. Germany has already declared that Russia must remain a G8 member, and China has officially backed their Crimea action. So it would take political will I have never seen from him, but Obama only has "mess with finances, hope the oligarchy pressures Vlad" left.
But for sure, he needs to stop making hollow speeches, and he sure as hell needs to shut Kerry and Carney up. Every time any of the three speaks at this point, they basically give Putin a chance to humiliate the US.
The UK has already said military action is not on their table and not being discussed.
Only diplomatic or economic action.
The US is the only one acting like a rabid dog on a leash in the ring waiting to be set free.
No other country is as vocal as us with the "threats" to Russia.
We're making *sses out of ourselves just like we did with Syria.
And where's Biden in all this ? Wasn't he the professed great "foreign affairs expert" ?
Oh yeah..he's in AZ trying to get Canadian citizens on vacation signed up for Obamacare
I agree with you. How is it that we are such freaking war-mongers. With all the suffering for nothing we have been through since WWII, you would think we would be the last people to want bloodshed. We have to start tuning out loud mouth militarists like McCain.
I agree with you. How is it that we are such freaking war-mongers. With all the suffering for nothing we have been through since WWII, you would think we would be the last people to want bloodshed. We have to start tuning out loud mouth militarists like McCain.
McCain was on a plane and over in Kiev shaking hands with the new coup leaders.
He called the COUP an "incredible display of patriotism".
Perhaps. But he is gambling with other people's money. Russian oligarchs would pay a very high price for cutting off the gas. If the objective is to be certain that the Russian base remains viable in a pro-Western Urkraine, there are far less risky ways to go about it. If the objective is Russian domination of Ukraine and a new "iron curtain" that is just economic suicide for Russia's billionaire's including Putin. Ain't gonna happen.
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