Will America heed the wake-up call of Ukraine?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/condoleezza-rice-will-america-heed-the-wake-up-call-of-ukraine/2014/03/07/cf087f74-a630-11e3-84d4-e59b1709222c_story.html ^ | 8 Mar 14 | Condoleezza Rice

[elhombrelibre]

“Meet Viktor Yanu­kovych, who is running for the presidency of Ukraine.” Vladimir Putin and I were standing in his office at the presidential dacha in late 2004 when Yanu­kovych suddenly appeared from a back room. Putin wanted me to get the point. He’s my man, Ukraine is ours — and don’t forget it.

The “Ukrainian problem” has been brewing for some time between the West and Russia. Since Ukraine’s Orange Revolution, the United States and Europe have tried to convince Russia that the vast territory should not be a pawn in a great-power conflict but rather an independent nation that could chart its own course. Putin has never seen it that way. For him, Kiev’s movement toward the West is an affront to Russia in a zero-sum game for the loyalty of former territories of the empire. The invasion and possible annexation of Crimea on trumped-up concerns for its Russian-speaking population is his answer to us.

[elhombrelibre]

Condoleeza Rice’s views are in synch with the Ukrainians. You seem to prefer Putin calling the shots without regard for the Ukrainians views. Why you value Putin over the people of Ukraine or Putin is worth exploring.

[bert]

-——Russia is in BIGTIME financial trouble.-—

With that thought, I have carefully observed the Russian troops shown in the Crimea. They are outfitted very much like the American and Brit troops we see in Afghanistan. I wonder if all the Russian troops are so outfitted or is it only one regiment

[elhombrelibre]

It is Russian Spetnaz; they’re the elite.

[bert]

As far as I know, Putin has no threat from the Russian people. They like him

[bert]

Ahh yes...... thanks for that

[McGruff]

Yeah our boys are just coming home from Afghanistan. Let's start another war. If Ukraine wants to be part of the European Union let them take the lead.

[Alberta's Child]

Condoleeza Rice’s views are in synch with the Ukrainians.

Which "Ukrainians" are you referring to? Does this include the ones in eastern Ukraine and Crimea who are scheduled to vote in a referendum next week to decide whether to secede from Ukraine?

I'm not sure why I should value your opinion -- or the opinion of Condoleeza Rice -- over the will of those eastern Ukrainians in a free and democratic election.

[ScottinVA]

And what would that wakeup call be?

Unless events affect them personally, most Americans don’t have a clue as to what’s occurring beyond their front door.

[elhombrelibre]

Yes, they like him so much that he has to ban their exercise of free assembly; he has to jail the opposition leaders, and shoot journalists. I don’t think you’re tracking the real Russia at all.

[elhombrelibre]

Well, if you don’t value my opinion, why do you insist on replying to me? I assume you fear for Putin and are, maybe, emotionally invested in him.

[1rudeboy]

Therefore, Ukraine if not within Russian borders, must at least be under Russian hegemony.

Therefore, Ukraine if not within European borders, must at least be under European hegemony.

I don't understand why people fail to look at the flip side of the coin.

[sport]

No, they [we]won't. As long as the ETB cards are full. So that the sheep can but beer, dope, and gas, the sheep will remain pacified. As long as there is NFL football and American Idol to watch, the sheep will chew their cud and lie peacefully and blissful at rest. And by hook or by crook, their masters will see to it that the EBT cards remain full and that there is a plentiful supply of alcohol and dope to sedate them. It will only be when they [the sheep] are in the slaughter line will their masters collapse the ETB cards.

By now, the Ukrainians should have learned the lesson that the American sheep have yet to learn. That lesson: Never entrust your life to a Democrat. Never expect anyone other than yourself to defend your life. Never take the word, sworn, unsworn, signed, or verbal of a Democrat.

The people of the United States made the same mistake that the Ukrainians made. The Democrat poison just has not worked itself through their system yet. Once it does the results will be the same.

[escapefromboston]

I think most Americans are “awake” over this subject, that the Ukraine is none of our business. If Crimea votes to go with Russia, then let it.

[bert]

Read my post...... Russia wants a a buffer

Europe has no such desire.

[mac_truck]

Condoleeza Rice’s views are in synch with the Ukrainians.

Nonsense.

[Biggirl]

Operation American Spring is coming to D.C. on May 16, 2014.

[elhombrelibre]

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/04/world/europe/ukraine-divided-opinion-irpt/

[elhombrelibre]

http://www.huri.harvard.edu/news/news-archives/155-what-do-the-ukrainians-want.html

[elhombrelibre]

http://blogs.forward.com/forward-thinking/193313/ukraines-reform-rabbi-cheers-protests-victory/