“FROM RUSSIA, WITH LOVE”
America warned Russia not to get involved in the Ukraine crisis. Looks like Russia didn’t listen …
All over the web videos are being posted of Russian helicopter fleets swarming into Crimea – an autonomous Republic located on a peninsula of Ukraine on the Black Sea.
(Here’s another one …)
We’re no experts on military hardware, but those look a lot like Mil Mi 24 or Mil Mi 28 attack helicopters to us. The latter bird features a 30 mm cannon that fires high explosive incendiary rounds as well as armor piercing munitions. Oh, and various combinations of missile racks.
So what happens next?
Who knows … as of this writing Crimea’s two million residents (including roughly 750,000 non-Russians) are under Russian control, as invasion forces seized airports, seaports, highways as well as television and radio stations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also has authorization from his parliament to use military force in the Ukraine – a former Soviet Republic which gained its independence in 1991.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has rebuked the Russian invasion – calling it an “incredible act of aggression.” He says multiple foreign powers are prepared to impose sanctions on Russia in response.
“All of them, every single one of them are prepared to go to the hilt in order to isolate Russia with respect to this invasion,” Kerry said on CBS’ Face the Nation. “They’re prepared to put sanctions in place, they’re prepared to isolate Russia economically.”
And that’s the extent of what we should do … although Kerry is already vowing economic assistance “of a major sort” to Ukraine.
Sheesh …
Russian aggression in Crimea or Ukraine proper is simply not America’s problem. And even if it was our problem, we don’t have the resources to get involved. Still, expect America’s ever-powerful War Gods to start banging the drum any second now …
In fact even U.S. President Barack Obama is getting in on the act, saying “there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine.”
Ha!
Like his “red line” in Syria?
19 comments
Russia better hope Obama doesn’t draw a line in the sand…LOL!
Right on, JJ, and when Lil’ Benito (aka ‘Mr. Tuff’) wrinkles his brow, puts his hands on his hips, well —- somebody better watch out..!!
For you Shifty:
An old cowboy sat down at the bar and ordered a drink. As he sat sipping his drink, a young woman sat down next to him. She turned to the cowboy and asked, “Are you a real cowboy?”
He replied, “Well, I’ve spent my whole life, breaking colts, working cows, going to rodeos, fixing fences, pulling calves, bailing hay, doctoring calves, cleaning my barn, fixing flats, working on tractors, and feeding my dogs, so I guess I am a cowboy.”
She said, “I’m a lesbian. I spend my whole day thinking about women. As soon as I get up in the morning, I think about women. When I shower, I think about women. When I watch TV, I think about women. I even think about women when I eat. It seems that everything makes me think of women.”
The two sat sipping in silence.
A little while later, a man sat down on the other side of the old cowboy and asked, “Are you a real cowboy?”
He replied, “I always thought I was, but I just found out I’m a lesbian.”
The United States is part of the agreement that states that they will protect the Ukraine’s borders in exchange for the Ukraine giving up their nuclear power a few years ago. So yes, it is very much the US’s problem.
Also known as the Budapest agreement of ’94.
This administration will not do anything. They may draw a line in the sand, but we all know that means nothing. “This is my last election…After my election I have more flexibility.”
“After my election I have more flexibility” — thanks for posting this memento, and right now it probably means rolling himself up into a tight ball and hiding in a dark closet….
I sure hope he does.
I.m no fan of Obama but this is kinda-sorta a repeat of the invasion of Georgia during Bush 2’s term.
Bush 2 was powerless as well, the Russkies kicked Georgia’s ass and told the world to fuck off.
Let’s also not forget the Hungarian Uprising in the 50’s (nothing done about that under Eisenhower which was a true tragedy) and Chec Republic in 68 under Johnson (nothing done there either).
Some sanctions mentioned by Lindsay Graham today might work but the only other option would be military intervention.
I don’t know about y’all but I’m a little too old for “Duck & Cover” drills; been there – done that back in the late 50’s & early 60’s and prayed my ass off during the Yom Kippur War Alert when we went to DefCon 3 and we were headed for the “Green Ramp” at Ft. Bragg.
That global nuclear war shit is best left alone…………………….
All of those types of ‘agreements’ appear fine and dandy at the time they are signed by both/all parties who have arrived at some sort of mutual understanding and/or compromise. But time goes by and the players are different and the circumstances change. It’s a delicate balance based on hopes and prayers.
Good luck with hopes and prayers.
Try hope and prayers on a “mirved” Minuteman III or Trident…….
see edit — needed to clarify last sentence.
What do YOU think we ought go do?
Have integrity and give a shit about our country.
I thought so, a “tough guy” Republican with nothing to offer but useless platitudes.
LOL..
“This is my last election…After my election I have more flexibility.”
What more needs to be said?
So, what do -you- want him to do? Go to war with Russia? Or stay the fuck out of it?
I think I’ll go with the latter myself.
“entangling alliances”