Drawing red lines has gotten considerably more difficult in the last 20 years. It used to be that you could say, if you cross my border, you have launched an invasion of my country, or if you attack me, you have declared war against me. But as we have seen in Ukraine in 2014 and this week, those definitions have shifted, or changed, or they don’t really exist at all…or something, anyway. The great advantage Vladimir Putin has over the rest of the world is that he realizes this and is using it to his advantage. The other advantage he has is that he is no stranger to waging war, having started at least two of them against republics that had been part of the Russian empire.
I have always believed that Levis were the real reason the Soviet Union collapsed. Now, what do we do? Every Russian has Levis now. So Biden must retaliate in full: Cyber attack Russian infrastructure the same way they attacked pipelines. One for one. Here's another, and I've said it before: Freeze or confiscate EVERY SINGLE RUSSIAN OWNED business, home, bank, account, or anything of collateral value without exception, FOREVER. The Oligarchs will go apeshit crazy that their "Bug out" assets (Yes, they have 'preppers' too), are gone. Russian playgrounds in the US such as NYC, St. Tropez, Aspen, St. Moritz, Hawaii and all the rest would be forbidden to Russian tourists...let's say for 10 years. Do this everywhere. Make the bastards bleed greenbacks and face NOT WELCOME signs. Shun the muthas. Vladimir Putin is a simple murderous dictator, a product of the Soviet Union...which as the poet once said, "The Soviet Russia is history's bastard child that should have been strangled in its cradle." So, let's strangle it now while we have the chance. We don't need no stinking guns...or badges. Rant over.
Great summation of the relevant history of Putin and his manly pursuits. I’m hoping someone poisons him, along the lines of Rasputin, since he’s sooooooo into Russian history.
I am not defending Putin in any way, but 20 years is not a long enough historical measure. Nixon invaded Cambodia without any legal justification, and H.W. Bush similarly invaded Panama, not to mention all the CIA-led “invasions”in the Middle East and Latin America.
As I write, Putin has invaded more than merely the “territories” he thought were Russian and that he took into his protection. Now Kyiv hears the beating of the drums. We cannot give Ukrainian people our thoughts and prayers and expect that to be adequate. All of the things you suggest, as well as finally getting some spine in the United Nations and freezing Russia out of the Security Council may have some affect. What the hell was the UN formed to do in the first place? This is so frightening. And TFG referring to Putin’s behavior as genius and savvy. Doesn’t that make us proud!?
A brilliant analysis of historical events perpetuated by Russia. specifically Putin. The only problem I see withy the suggested very extreme solutions is that a corned rat will go for the throat. Putin could get so angry that he would unleash a full scale invasion of Europe after launching an attack on New York, Washington and Los Angeles, via atomic missiles aboard nuclear submarines off the east and West coasts. Science fiction? Maybe, the n again maybe not.
Somewhere in the distance Neville Chamberlain is screaming, "Don't Do It!" we are repeating history, thinking that shutting down banks and manufacturers will make the other guy back up. Putin does not care. He knows about the siege of Leningrad and that while painful, resistance would prevail. He wants Ukraine and after eight years of planning he is acting and will accept dark nights and no internet in Moscow. He knows it will be rough and he knows from past experience the west won't fight. We have come to that place where we get up and hammer the Red Army or accept Russian domination of Europe and the end of the United States as a world power. Putin is not afraid of war, he is not afraid of us. This is a tragedy. In 1950 Gen. Curtis Le May asked President Truman, "What are you going to do when Stalin sends the Red Army into West Germany and he dares you to blow up the world?" Putin believes absolutely Ukraine will be his. We have to prove him wrong. Shutting down a bank is nothing compared to a defeated Red Army.
And are we attempting to "CyberF**k" the living daylights out of the Russians? If not, why the hell not! I would hope we've enlisted as many Silicon Valley Brainiacs as possible to "Ratf**k" Russia as much as possible. Again, "If not, why not?"
In June of 1990 I went on a 16-day assignment to the USSR. A close friend (He'd been ABC's Bureau Photographer there in the mid-80s.) told me, "Don't be over-awed. They're generally good people, but it's a 3rd World Country that has nuclear weapons."
The West has so many advantages over Putin's Russia. Why aren't we exploiting them?
You are absolutely right. We cannot "Neville Chamberlain" our way out of this. Everytime Putin makes a move, counter with an even stronger response. We guaranteed the borders of Ukraine when they turned over their nukes. Time to be the US we claim to be.
I have always believed that Levis were the real reason the Soviet Union collapsed. Now, what do we do? Every Russian has Levis now. So Biden must retaliate in full: Cyber attack Russian infrastructure the same way they attacked pipelines. One for one. Here's another, and I've said it before: Freeze or confiscate EVERY SINGLE RUSSIAN OWNED business, home, bank, account, or anything of collateral value without exception, FOREVER. The Oligarchs will go apeshit crazy that their "Bug out" assets (Yes, they have 'preppers' too), are gone. Russian playgrounds in the US such as NYC, St. Tropez, Aspen, St. Moritz, Hawaii and all the rest would be forbidden to Russian tourists...let's say for 10 years. Do this everywhere. Make the bastards bleed greenbacks and face NOT WELCOME signs. Shun the muthas. Vladimir Putin is a simple murderous dictator, a product of the Soviet Union...which as the poet once said, "The Soviet Russia is history's bastard child that should have been strangled in its cradle." So, let's strangle it now while we have the chance. We don't need no stinking guns...or badges. Rant over.
Imprison them within their own country. 👍🏻
The West needs to hire Vinnie Baga Donuts to take the bully out.
Great summation of the relevant history of Putin and his manly pursuits. I’m hoping someone poisons him, along the lines of Rasputin, since he’s sooooooo into Russian history.
This is a contemporary version of containment - it worked then, it could work now.
I am not defending Putin in any way, but 20 years is not a long enough historical measure. Nixon invaded Cambodia without any legal justification, and H.W. Bush similarly invaded Panama, not to mention all the CIA-led “invasions”in the Middle East and Latin America.
LKT4 for President!
As I write, Putin has invaded more than merely the “territories” he thought were Russian and that he took into his protection. Now Kyiv hears the beating of the drums. We cannot give Ukrainian people our thoughts and prayers and expect that to be adequate. All of the things you suggest, as well as finally getting some spine in the United Nations and freezing Russia out of the Security Council may have some affect. What the hell was the UN formed to do in the first place? This is so frightening. And TFG referring to Putin’s behavior as genius and savvy. Doesn’t that make us proud!?
A brilliant analysis of historical events perpetuated by Russia. specifically Putin. The only problem I see withy the suggested very extreme solutions is that a corned rat will go for the throat. Putin could get so angry that he would unleash a full scale invasion of Europe after launching an attack on New York, Washington and Los Angeles, via atomic missiles aboard nuclear submarines off the east and West coasts. Science fiction? Maybe, the n again maybe not.
Somewhere in the distance Neville Chamberlain is screaming, "Don't Do It!" we are repeating history, thinking that shutting down banks and manufacturers will make the other guy back up. Putin does not care. He knows about the siege of Leningrad and that while painful, resistance would prevail. He wants Ukraine and after eight years of planning he is acting and will accept dark nights and no internet in Moscow. He knows it will be rough and he knows from past experience the west won't fight. We have come to that place where we get up and hammer the Red Army or accept Russian domination of Europe and the end of the United States as a world power. Putin is not afraid of war, he is not afraid of us. This is a tragedy. In 1950 Gen. Curtis Le May asked President Truman, "What are you going to do when Stalin sends the Red Army into West Germany and he dares you to blow up the world?" Putin believes absolutely Ukraine will be his. We have to prove him wrong. Shutting down a bank is nothing compared to a defeated Red Army.
All those "should's" in the second-to-last paragraph! I wonder if any of those actions will ever be taken. I doubt it.
And are we attempting to "CyberF**k" the living daylights out of the Russians? If not, why the hell not! I would hope we've enlisted as many Silicon Valley Brainiacs as possible to "Ratf**k" Russia as much as possible. Again, "If not, why not?"
In June of 1990 I went on a 16-day assignment to the USSR. A close friend (He'd been ABC's Bureau Photographer there in the mid-80s.) told me, "Don't be over-awed. They're generally good people, but it's a 3rd World Country that has nuclear weapons."
The West has so many advantages over Putin's Russia. Why aren't we exploiting them?
You are absolutely right. We cannot "Neville Chamberlain" our way out of this. Everytime Putin makes a move, counter with an even stronger response. We guaranteed the borders of Ukraine when they turned over their nukes. Time to be the US we claim to be.
Astounding information here establishing a pattern of betrayal and brutality.
Putin -- A true Romanov Wanna Be...
We can use Superman/Superwoman about now. Innocent people will suffer. I am sad, mad, and scared.
Putin is Rasputin and Ivan the Terrible on steroids!! He is a cruel demented creature!