Is there a country on Earth that the U.S. has not
fucked with at some time or another? I
don’t think so. That our government has
the cojones to call out Putin as
imperialistic is truly the stuff of a late-night comedy writer’s wet dream.
No one expected Putin to just stand down after the
Ukrainian people rose up to toss out his personally-picked pool boy, Viktor
Ynukovych, least of all, I suspect, the Ukrainians. He needed to save face and Crimea became his
“pound of flesh.” If world leaders will
check their testosterone levels at the door for a moment (Yes, I mean you, too,
Angela Merkel), everyone may be able to save face.
Putin has nothing to gain by going into a
full-fledged conflict with the west just to acquire the debt-ridden
Ukraine. Russia’s own economy is in the
toilet. But he just may do it anyway if
we continue to challenge his penis size.
Two words describe Putin: Vanity and pride. The Ukrainians know this and have already
backed off: “Okay. You win, man. Crimea is yours, you big, strong,
peck-enhanced titan, you.” The people of Crimea themselves (mostly older, conservative Russians with strong ties to 'the motherland') have now voted to align
themselves with Russia. That should be
“game over” for us, but oh no.
Ever notice how we’re always pushing for democratically-elected
governments around the world, then cry “foul” when the vote doesn’t go our
way? After the great Florida debacle of
2000, we don’t exactly have the high ground when it comes to ballot box issues.
Meanwhile, the Republicans, their pockets filled
with defense industry cash, urge that we “Go to war! Go to war!”
And their poster gal, Sarah “why-the-hell-is-she-even-still-around”
Palin spouts: “The only thing that stops
a bad guy with a nuke is with a good guy with a nuke.” Could someone please nuke her?
Okay, I know the Democrats’ pockets are just as
tinged, but I don’t see anyone on the blue side advocating a missile-driven
pissing match with Putin.
Putin has now signed the law officially absorbing
Crimea into Russia. That horse has left
the barn. We should focus our efforts
on supporting and strengthening the new Ukraine/EU political and economic
agreement, while continuing to expand our non-military options.
Let Putin enjoy his small victory in Crimea. Unlike the explosion of a bomb, economic
sanctions take time to show results. Finesse
and patience are not signs of weakness.
They are signs of intelligence.
"Pride
goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
