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MAX HASTINGS: This lying brute who has to be shackled
dailymail.co.uk ^ | July 18, 2014 | MAX HASTINGS

Posted on 07/18/2014 6:41:23 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe

News of the destruction of Flight MH17 and the appalling murder of 298 people gave Russia’s president Vladimir Putin a chance to step back from a precipice.

Yesterday, he could have stood up before the world and denounced the crime; endorsed a full investigation and punishment of the guilty.

Instead – yet almost inevitably, given the nature of the man – he presented his stone face. He asserted, against all logic and evidence, that Ukraine and its rulers were the guilty parties.

He lied, as he has lied all his life since he was first schooled in deceit and brutality by those masters of the art, his old employers at the KGB.

Putin probably felt that no path was open to him save denial, because the facts point blame for this huge tragedy squarely at the Kremlin.

In March, Putin annexed Crimea, then embarked on a strategy of covert military support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, designed to sustain civil war and ruin the country.

Month after month, Western intelligence has tracked Russian special forces – ‘little green men’, as they are nicknamed, because they wear no uniforms or badges – working with the pro-Kremlin separatists.

Satellite photographs show heavy weapons and tanks trundling into eastern Ukraine from Russia.

Whether the Malaysia Airways plane was hit by a missile supplied by Moscow or captured from the Ukrainian Army is neither here nor there. Putin is the sponsor and puppet-master of the rebels. Thus, he must bear responsibility for this appalling act.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


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To: Tailgunner Joe

Actually Putin stated that Ukraine was PARTLY responsible. Not entirely responsible. He stated they share some of the blame. What if the Ukraine has mistakenly shot down a plane due to the hair trigger civil war situation ? Would you not say that rebels shared some of the responsibility ?


21 posted on 07/18/2014 10:54:12 PM PDT by justa-hairyape (The user name is sarcastic. Although at times it may not appear that way.)
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To: Rockpile

Fox News is saying the SA-11 launcher likely arrived in the Ukraine over the last couple of weeks and is now likely back in Russia.

Russia has some explaining to do.

In addition it was earlier reported that the “commander” that order the attack is likely a Russian operative that works for the Russian military. A person who would know how to operate this specialized equipment.


22 posted on 07/19/2014 1:20:20 AM PDT by DB
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To: Cold Heat

It has been reported that the plane’s planned route did not go over the Ukraine. That air traffic control in Poland directed the plane to go over the Ukraine to avoid bad weather.


23 posted on 07/19/2014 1:22:53 AM PDT by DB
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To: DB

Bet that this missile crew and their bosses are really sweating now. They made Putin look bad and I doubt he’s the forgiving type.


24 posted on 07/19/2014 7:04:37 AM PDT by Rockpile
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To: DB

I think there is a conflict of stories and reports.

Last I read, the pilot wanted 35K feet....and controllers put him at 33K.

It seems also that Putin would like to make it look like they were after his plane and blame it on Ukraine govt.

I would be pretty careful with the propaganda from both sides frankly speaking..The truth has never been a habit in Eastern Europe.


25 posted on 07/19/2014 7:59:15 AM PDT by Cold Heat (Have you reached your breaking point yet? If not now....then when?)
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To: Cold Heat

It looks like the Polish air traffic control routing claim is false. But it is still not clear.

It sounds like it is known where the missile was launched from with a high degree of certainty. Reportedly two missiles were missing from the launcher so more than one missile may have been launched. It should also be known who was in control of the area at the time - and that very much looks like the “rebels”. You can’t fake that.

It doesn’t make any rational sense that the Ukrainians would want to shoot down Putin or any other Russian plane. It would only give Russia the excuse it is looking for for full scale invasion.

It also sounds like the US and others are about to bring forth evidence (we likely had satellites watching) of the missile launcher crossing the border from Russia and then making its way back to Russia after the shoot down. That puts the Russians in control of the weapon.


26 posted on 07/19/2014 11:49:25 AM PDT by DB
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To: Cold Heat

you don’t know what youre talking about In the US our FAA decides where planes can fly and likewise Ukraine...they set the parameters...I know it causes you anguish because you support Obama


27 posted on 07/19/2014 3:37:55 PM PDT by Understand the stimulus
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To: DB

who says so..you


28 posted on 07/19/2014 3:38:57 PM PDT by Understand the stimulus
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To: Understand the stimulus

“did it ever occur to you that ukraine permitted
civilian flights close to the russian border despite its own jets being shot down in same area”

1. The Russian mercenaries in the Ukraine did not possess surface-to-air-missile systems (SAM) with a range capable of shooting down a high altitude aircraft such as a civilian airliner transiting through an international airway above 30,000 foot altitude.

2. The Russian armed forces which had the SAM capable of shooting down MH17 had no lawful right to be in the Ukraine. Whether they were located in the Ukraine or inside the Russian border, the Russian SAMs and their Russian operators were obligated to recognize the MH17 transponder codes identifying the aircraft as a Malaysian civilian airliner on their fire control radars and refrain from firing any SAMs at such a civilian aircraft. The Russian soldiers fired the Russian SAM/s to target the MH17 despite their fire control radars identifying the aircraft as a civilian aircraft and despite the aircraft likely being identified on radar as a Malaysian aircraft.

3. The deliberate Russian targeting of a radar target located in a known international high altitude jet airway and identified by its transponder codes as a civilian aircraft or airliner is generally comparable to the crime of Germany’s U-boats deliberately sinking neutral passenger and merchant ship/s in the Second World War.


29 posted on 07/19/2014 9:47:31 PM PDT by WhiskeyX
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To: Understand the stimulus

If I were you, I would zip your pie hole before your mouth overloads you posterior..


30 posted on 07/19/2014 10:03:33 PM PDT by Cold Heat (Have you reached your breaking point yet? If not now....then when?)
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To: WhiskeyX

Totally agree...It could be considered a heinous act of war and not some sort of fog of war crappolla.

The obvious question is whether the limp wristed UN and it’s concubines in the West or the much feared NATO have the slightest bit of interest in taking on Putin or Russia, keeping in mind that this is not the first airliner they have shot down..(Korean airlines)

From what I am getting in the US press and other commentary is that Obama and co, have already made moves to hide in the closet until it blows over.


31 posted on 07/19/2014 10:10:12 PM PDT by Cold Heat (Have you reached your breaking point yet? If not now....then when?)
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To: WhiskeyX

the last 7 FLIGHTS were way to the south YET this flight hugged the border...happiness is how Obama stagers things....the bully is obama


32 posted on 07/20/2014 8:26:39 AM PDT by Understand the stimulus
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