The one State Department employee who was the biggest thorn in Putin’s side is HRC. Whatever she did over there for the sake of promoting American values, like feminism, she really pissed him off. He hates her. Easy to do, considering he’s sexist and racist.
So one of the first things that Orange Sewage does, in his central role as Put…
The one State Department employee who was the biggest thorn in Putin’s side is HRC. Whatever she did over there for the sake of promoting American values, like feminism, she really pissed him off. He hates her. Easy to do, considering he’s sexist and racist.
So one of the first things that Orange Sewage does, in his central role as Putin’s puppet: he idles the State Dept. Putin gets his choice for Secretary of State: Rex Tillerson is a friend and a member of this unholy alliance, like certain Republican politicians.
Now here’s a curious thought: Putin is lulled into a false sense of security by having his paid goon holding office as President of the U.S. He is seemingly so smitten with the idea of having controlling influence over the White House that he neglects to pursue his other global ambitions, like invading neighboring countries to revive the Soviet Union.
In 2021 Trump is booted out of the WH, despite threats that he won’t leave. Next thing you know, the Russian dictator and thug is invading Ukraine.
Why Ukraine? Because the three non-NATO countries providing a buffer, in his mind, between Russia and the Big Bad West, are Belarus and Ukraine [and Finland]. Belarus is already in his back pocket, but Ukraine is moving decisively towards democracy. When you’re a dictator, democracy looks like a threat. Ask Elon Musk.
So, ironically, he missed his best chance to carry out his goal of annexing Ukraine. During the Trump administration would’ve been the time.
Instead, he waits until he is feeling threatened again, by the Biden administration. Only this time, by waiting until a hostile enemy occupies the WH, he ruins his chances of taking over one of the last non-NATO European countries. The entire escapade is backfiring badly, accelerating the disappearance of that non-NATO buffer he wants to expand. Ukraine will probably slip away forever, and will certainly hate everything Russian forever. Finland and Sweden will probably be in NATO very soon. And who knows about Belarus, but it doesn’t look good.
You have to question what kind of intelligence is at work here. Whatever you do, members of the media, stop lauding this guy.
[I am purposely leaving Finland out of this conversation, there’s a different history there; it wasn’t technically part of the Soviet Union, apparently he didn’t fear their tilt towards democracy, and/or he didn’t want to annex it for some other reason, maybe their defensive preparedness]
Morning Roland! Good post. You said: "You have to question what kind of intelligence is at work here. Whatever you do, members of the media, stop lauding this guy."
My two cents: Putin is very clever. But clever is not always smart. He and TFG have something in common (a lot, actually). They don't listen to true experts and advisers. They think they are "smarter than the generals". And now it's clear that they think they don't really need diplomats because they get in the way of their "clever ideas". Let's hope this all leads to their personal demise.
Merrick Garland must act now or he should be replaced. Install an "acting AG" with impeccable credentials who is more of a prosecutor and less an uber careful judge. If Biden waits for a Senate confirmation, the sun will have set on democracy.
A thoughtful analysis. My take on the invasion is a tad different. Putin knew the State Department had been compromised, it was a well known fact and therefore there would be at best a fly-by-the-seat -of the-reaction by the State Department - it would become reactive, not proactive. He knew Trump had given him permission to do what he thought was right in Ukraine given his, and Maniford's maneuverings. He saw how Trump severely compromised and weakened NATO, as he saw Brexit as another weakening of European resolve. He believed the US press that Biden was senile and weak and he felt Biden, given the current political sewer, would be preoccupied and compromised so badly he would not respond with necessary resolve, and he knew Europe's strongest leader, Merkel, was stepping down. He saw the other strongest European player, France, in disarray. The time was ripe and the action was slow and poorly planned. Hubris? Incompetence? Both? In any event, given his mindset of the old Soviet fear of the West surrounding Russia, he saw the hand he was given and invaded so he would be remembered as the ruler who reinstated the Russian empire and supremacy.
“It is only natural you bring a rain jacket when there could be clouds.” Wonderful article on Finland's intelligent preparedness. Not lulled into complacency when the bear seemed to go into hibernation!!! Thank you, Roland.
I read somewhere that he didn't want to cause problems for trump while he was in office and was waiting for trumps second term. Biden will surely have a huge historical moment.
The one State Department employee who was the biggest thorn in Putin’s side is HRC. Whatever she did over there for the sake of promoting American values, like feminism, she really pissed him off. He hates her. Easy to do, considering he’s sexist and racist.
So one of the first things that Orange Sewage does, in his central role as Putin’s puppet: he idles the State Dept. Putin gets his choice for Secretary of State: Rex Tillerson is a friend and a member of this unholy alliance, like certain Republican politicians.
Now here’s a curious thought: Putin is lulled into a false sense of security by having his paid goon holding office as President of the U.S. He is seemingly so smitten with the idea of having controlling influence over the White House that he neglects to pursue his other global ambitions, like invading neighboring countries to revive the Soviet Union.
In 2021 Trump is booted out of the WH, despite threats that he won’t leave. Next thing you know, the Russian dictator and thug is invading Ukraine.
Why Ukraine? Because the three non-NATO countries providing a buffer, in his mind, between Russia and the Big Bad West, are Belarus and Ukraine [and Finland]. Belarus is already in his back pocket, but Ukraine is moving decisively towards democracy. When you’re a dictator, democracy looks like a threat. Ask Elon Musk.
So, ironically, he missed his best chance to carry out his goal of annexing Ukraine. During the Trump administration would’ve been the time.
Instead, he waits until he is feeling threatened again, by the Biden administration. Only this time, by waiting until a hostile enemy occupies the WH, he ruins his chances of taking over one of the last non-NATO European countries. The entire escapade is backfiring badly, accelerating the disappearance of that non-NATO buffer he wants to expand. Ukraine will probably slip away forever, and will certainly hate everything Russian forever. Finland and Sweden will probably be in NATO very soon. And who knows about Belarus, but it doesn’t look good.
You have to question what kind of intelligence is at work here. Whatever you do, members of the media, stop lauding this guy.
[I am purposely leaving Finland out of this conversation, there’s a different history there; it wasn’t technically part of the Soviet Union, apparently he didn’t fear their tilt towards democracy, and/or he didn’t want to annex it for some other reason, maybe their defensive preparedness]
https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/22/how-finland-bunker-mania-made-sense
Morning Roland! Good post. You said: "You have to question what kind of intelligence is at work here. Whatever you do, members of the media, stop lauding this guy."
My two cents: Putin is very clever. But clever is not always smart. He and TFG have something in common (a lot, actually). They don't listen to true experts and advisers. They think they are "smarter than the generals". And now it's clear that they think they don't really need diplomats because they get in the way of their "clever ideas". Let's hope this all leads to their personal demise.
Merrick Garland must act now or he should be replaced. Install an "acting AG" with impeccable credentials who is more of a prosecutor and less an uber careful judge. If Biden waits for a Senate confirmation, the sun will have set on democracy.
I'm seeing news items this morning suggesting Putin may have Parkinson's Disease.
Yes, I’ve been reading that for several days. He is deteriorating.
Grim Reaper, speed thyself along!!
A special several years ago said they thought Hitler also had Parkinson’s. Maybe the demise of a dictator.
“Merrick Garland must act now or he should be replaced.”
I am debating whether I should have quoted as follows:
“Merrick Garland . . . should be replaced.”
This is good...morning, Roland!
Morning Lynell!
Missed "morning" you this morning, Ally. Will look for you tomorrow!
Morning Lynell!
A thoughtful analysis. My take on the invasion is a tad different. Putin knew the State Department had been compromised, it was a well known fact and therefore there would be at best a fly-by-the-seat -of the-reaction by the State Department - it would become reactive, not proactive. He knew Trump had given him permission to do what he thought was right in Ukraine given his, and Maniford's maneuverings. He saw how Trump severely compromised and weakened NATO, as he saw Brexit as another weakening of European resolve. He believed the US press that Biden was senile and weak and he felt Biden, given the current political sewer, would be preoccupied and compromised so badly he would not respond with necessary resolve, and he knew Europe's strongest leader, Merkel, was stepping down. He saw the other strongest European player, France, in disarray. The time was ripe and the action was slow and poorly planned. Hubris? Incompetence? Both? In any event, given his mindset of the old Soviet fear of the West surrounding Russia, he saw the hand he was given and invaded so he would be remembered as the ruler who reinstated the Russian empire and supremacy.
Excellent summary! It had not occurred to me, but it sure feels right.
Great summary Roland. Thanks.
Sadly, all he has to do is wait if the prevailing wisdom becomes the reality. We must fight with all our might.
“It is only natural you bring a rain jacket when there could be clouds.” Wonderful article on Finland's intelligent preparedness. Not lulled into complacency when the bear seemed to go into hibernation!!! Thank you, Roland.
You’re welcome Carol
Right now, all of Europe is seeing the folly of going to sleep on the threat of Russia. But not Republicans! Oh no!
Excellent, informative thought-provoking article linked in The Guardian! Thank you.
You’re welcome
I read somewhere that he didn't want to cause problems for trump while he was in office and was waiting for trumps second term. Biden will surely have a huge historical moment.