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March 25, 2014

Podcast: Ukraine, Russia, And The Role Of The US In Global Security With Mediate's Noah Rothman
— DrewM

You may know Noah Rothman, editor at Mediate, for his daily coverage of the idiocy to be found on cable TV news but his educational background is actually in Russian national security and defense issues.

I took advantage of this to talk to him about the situation in Ukraine, US-Russia relations and the wider issue of America's role as the guarantor of peace and stability across much of the globe. While you may not agree with his support for America to act as the "world's policeman" but he makes an interesting case for it.

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On a related note, the Senate passed a Ukraine aid bill yesterday. This follows the House's action from about two weeks ago. Unlike the House however, the Senate's bill includes an unrelated item to approve and fund governing changes for the International Monetary Fund.

James Roberts of The Heritage Foundation sums up much of the conservative criticism of the reforms.

In late 2010 the IMF Executive Board, with strong behind-the-scenes support from the Obama Administration, proposed a series of reforms that would increase the voting power of certain emerging market nations.
Additionally, these reforms would double the amount of member countriesÂ’ national Â“quotaÂ” contributionsÂ—the primary source of funding for IMF loans. The higher Â“quotaÂ” levels would come from shifting certain special Â“emergency accountÂ” funds over which the United States has had more control. Loss of U.S. control over these Â“emergency accountÂ” funds could also expose U.S. taxpayers to billions of dollars in additional financial liability from morally hazardous IMF loans (e.g. to Greece).
The reform package would also change the rules for IMF Executive Board elections, and the U.S. would lose its current right to appoint its own representative to the boardÂ—the epicenter of power at the IMF.
Instead, under the new rules, the U.S. executive director would have to be elected and, if enough other countries were opposed to the person nominated by the U.S., it is possible that a future American President might not be able to name someone to the IMF who shared his or her political and economic philosophies.

One additional problem with the reform package is that in order to offset the costs, the Senate bill takes money away from the US Army and Navy.

House Republicans meanwhile want to do something useful...use this bill or a separate one to tie the IMF money to a one year delay in the anti-free speech regulations Obama's IRS is currently set to enact.

Only 17 GOP Senators stood up yesterday and opposed Harry Reid's effort to reduce America's influence at the IMF and to preserve the House's leverage to block the Obama IRS regulations.

Just remember when the media goes on and on about GOP obstructionism, the House already passed a clean Ukraine aid bill and the Senate could have done the same two weeks ago. The "delay" will be blamed on those crazy House Republicans but it's Harry Reid and the Senate Democrats who are playing political games with aid to the Ukraine.

Posted by: DrewM at 06:28 AM | Comments (101)
Post contains 544 words, total size 5 kb.

1 If more Ukrainians showed NCAA potential, Dear Reader might have paid closer attention.

Posted by: t-bird at March 25, 2014 06:31 AM (FcR7P)

2 My contribution, I ain't lost nothing in the Ukranine

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 25, 2014 06:32 AM (T2V/1)

3 Top. Men

Posted by: DM at March 25, 2014 06:32 AM (Ztudx)

4 the media. the left. My head hurts. I think I need to go fishin'

Posted by: tangonine at March 25, 2014 06:33 AM (x3YFz)

5 I'm not so much an advocate for the U.S. to be the world policeman as I am for the U.S. to have a gigantic Buford Pusser club to smack the shit out of a troublemaker should the need arise. Having the club results in having to use it less often. You'd think we'd learn this kind of thing.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 25, 2014 06:33 AM (659DL)

6 Piss on the IMF and if they start changing the rules we should just drop out. All that BS is is a way for the damn busy-body liberals to get around Senate approval for treaties.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 25, 2014 06:33 AM (T2V/1)

7 Instead, under the new rules, the U.S. executive director would have to be elected and, if enough other countries were opposed to the person nominated by the U.S., it is possible that a future American President might not be able to name someone to the IMF who shared his or her political and economic philosophies.

Or, more specifically, who shared THE IMF'S political and economic philosophies, which are essentially, "Socialism, socialism, socialism, communism, socialism, fascism," in no particular order.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Bossy Assault Hobbit [/u][/i][/s][/b] at March 25, 2014 06:34 AM (4df7R)

8 DrewM,

I would be more amenable to the concept of America as the world's policeman if that's actually what we did.

Policemen don't break up fights, arrest the bad guys, then spend five years in the crack house rebuilding the bathrooms and teaching the crack-whores how to knit.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 25, 2014 06:34 AM (QFxY5)

9 One additional problem with the reform package is that in order to offset the costs, the Senate bill takes money away from the US Army and Navy.

Do they even have any money left after that last go-round. Piss on them

I fully expect the House to shoot this down. And how many RINOs voted for this POS?

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 25, 2014 06:35 AM (T2V/1)

10 The "delay" will be blamed on those crazy House Republicans but it's Harry Reid and the Senate Democrats who are playing political games with aid to the Ukraine.

Like the Dems even care about Ukraine. I'll be amazed if the MFM even pays attention.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Bossy Assault Hobbit [/u][/i][/s][/b] at March 25, 2014 06:36 AM (4df7R)

11 Also, batshit levels of defense spending result in a) actual economic stimulus and b) things that you can point to and say "that's what a billion dollars will buy."

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 25, 2014 06:36 AM (659DL)

12 Oh, question: is this podcast in the Chill Groove (tm) format? Because I expect no less.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Bossy Assault Hobbit [/u][/i][/s][/b] at March 25, 2014 06:37 AM (4df7R)

13 If more Ukrainians showed NCAA potential, Dear Reader might have paid closer attention.

Maybe. But they don't have enough melanin.

Posted by: HR at March 25, 2014 06:37 AM (ZKzrr)

14 Like the Dems even care about Ukraine. I'll be amazed if the MFM even pays attention. MSNBC already says it's a win for Obama. So, the cackling meth-addled talking points are settled.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 25, 2014 06:37 AM (659DL)

15 Only 17 GOP Senators stood up yesterday and opposed Harry Reid's effort to reduce America's influence at the IMF and to preserve the House's leverage to block the Obama IRS regulations.

Since the Dems have what in the Senate now, 52? That means there were 31 dick sucking RINOs.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 25, 2014 06:37 AM (T2V/1)

16 New Ukraine Government to Citizens Â– Turn in Your Guns by Friday http://gunssavelives.net/blog/new-ukraine-government-to-citizens-turn-in-your-guns-by-friday/ Â… #guncontrol #2a via @Guns_Save_Lives

Posted by: phoenixgirl @phxazgrl at March 25, 2014 06:37 AM (u8GsB)

17 Levin was all over this last night and blasted McTurtle for torpedoing what the House had passed to suck up to the Searchlight Pederast's desire to give money to the IMF fuckheads. I regret ever supporting that RINO POS against the sentiment of the Horde; I was such a fucking idiot.

Posted by: Captain Hate at March 25, 2014 06:38 AM (MtEup)

18 "In late 2010 the IMF Executive Board, with strong behind-the-scenes support from the Obama Administration, proposed a series of reforms that would increase the voting power of certain emerging market nations. Additionally, these reforms would double the amount of member countriesÂ’ national 'quota' contributionsÂ—the primary source of funding for IMF loans."

And since Uncle Sugar kicks down more cash than anyone else to the IMF, what this boils down to is Obama handing a high limit credit card to a bunch of corrupt deadbeat Third World countries, and sending your grandchildren the resulting huge bill.

Worse. Than. Carter.

The nadir has finally been surpassed.

Posted by: torquewrench at March 25, 2014 06:38 AM (noWW6)

19 We should've added a Russkie ChillGroove(r).

Posted by: Andy at March 25, 2014 06:38 AM (S9dzP)

20 Ok, got the podcast going.

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 25, 2014 06:39 AM (ZshNr)

21 And I see Rubio was one of those who crossed the aisle. He sure doesn't want to get off the shit list does he.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 25, 2014 06:39 AM (T2V/1)

22 Having the club results in having to use it less often. You'd think we'd learn this kind of thing. Posted by: Circa -------------------- Si vis pacem, para bellum

Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 25, 2014 06:40 AM (aDwsi)

23 I am sure the Liberals love the Military since it is an unlimited piggy bank to them. Any time they need money, they just raid the Military Budget. They are scumbags, cock suckers, and fuckin SOBs. And anymore I can't say since I might blow a few blood vessels in my head.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 25, 2014 06:43 AM (t3UFN)

24 Holy shit, more money down an f'ing rat hole.

Posted by: Seems legit at March 25, 2014 06:44 AM (A98Xu)

25 Policemen don't break up fights, arrest the bad guys, then spend five years in the crack house rebuilding the bathrooms and teaching the crack-whores how to knit.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 25, 2014 10:34 AM (QFxY5)

Agreed. Especially, the crack whores who are still turning tricks for their pimps and using their new knitting skills too make suicide vests.

Posted by: Sherry McEvil, Stiletto Corsettes, We Be Bossy at March 25, 2014 06:45 AM (kXoT0)

26 Harry Reid has dementia.

Posted by: toby928© speaks the unspeakable at March 25, 2014 06:45 AM (QupBk)

27 "While you may not agree with his support for America to act as the 'world's policeman' but he makes an interesting case for it."

Posited for the sake of argument:

It was a good thing for everyone that America acted as the world's policeman. And it would be a good thing for everyone if America were to continue to act as the world's policeman.

But not every good thing is affordable or attainable.

And what Steyn refers to as "the brokest nation in history" can no longer afford to BE the world's policeman, as nice for everyone as our being the policeman would be.

America had a choice about whether or not to enact a sprawling, inefficient, and hugely costly welfare state. The choice was made. We now have such an expensive arrangement. And in consequence cannot afford many other things any longer, such as being able to walk the police beat. A regrettable reality.

Posted by: torquewrench at March 25, 2014 06:45 AM (noWW6)

28 I ain't lost nothing in the Ukranine

Posted by: Vic at March 25, 2014 10:32 AM (T2V/1)

That's the extent of your analysis of the situation?

Any recognition of the danger of a resurgent Russian Bear? Any possibility that without American pressure, our friends will, out of necessity, move into the Russian sphere?

Isolationism never worked.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 25, 2014 06:46 AM (QFxY5)

29 Noah Rothman sounds like an unreconstructed Cold Warrior. That's a good thing.

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 25, 2014 06:46 AM (ZshNr)

30 Isolationism never worked. Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 25, 2014 10:46 AM (QFxY5) RINO

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at March 25, 2014 06:47 AM (da5Wo)

31 "And I see Rubio was one of those who crossed the aisle."

Rehearsal for his eventual, inevitable Charlie Crist style embrace of the Democratic Party.

Posted by: torquewrench at March 25, 2014 06:47 AM (noWW6)

32 Isolationism never worked. Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 25, 2014 10:46 AM (QFxY5) So you think this aid package in any way is going to prevent the resurgence of the Russian Bear?

Posted by: Seems legit at March 25, 2014 06:47 AM (A98Xu)

33 Only 17 GOP Senators stood up yesterday and opposed Harry Reid's effort to reduce America's influence at the IMF and to preserve the House's leverage to block the Obama IRS regulations. Oh look. John Cornyn on the wrong side of an issue yet again.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at March 25, 2014 06:47 AM (k/Mc/)

34 Not all GOP defense hawks agree with McKeon. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told reporters that he would support the Ukraine bill on the Senate floor. Â“IÂ’m very sympathetic [to raising objections] to that being an offset,Â” Graham said. Â“I want to help the Army as much as anybody, but this is a national security crisis. WeÂ’ve got to move on with it.Â” Lindsey "I can't tell my mom I'm gay" Graham is an idiot.

Posted by: Seems legit at March 25, 2014 06:49 AM (A98Xu)

35 I've got a tin can, and some string. Do I just tape the end of the string to my monitor?

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at March 25, 2014 06:49 AM (osZ/6)

36 Isolationism never worked.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo
.............
When did we ever try it?

Ukraine is in Germany's back door. Poland, Germany and the rest of them should step up first.

We should assist with aid, but that's it.

That said, we could renew talks with Poland on the missile defense shield and open talks for Ukraine to enter NATO. That would piss Putin off mightily.

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at March 25, 2014 06:49 AM (b/lt+)

37 So, Obama is changing the IMF to make it impossible for a conservative, capitalist Republican to appoint a like-minded person to the IMF -- since that will be blocked by new votes of all the 3rd world socialists. So Obama wants to make the IMF more left-wing and give the socialist shitholes of the world more power to vote to force America to give it loans and bail out the loans they won't pay back. So Obama is trying to turn the IMF into a global tax authority that redistributes income from Americans to socialist shitholes in the 3rd world.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 25, 2014 06:49 AM (ZPrif)

38 I think any aid we send to the Ukraine eventually ends up in Russia's pocket. The Ukraine will never be "Independent" while Putin is in office. It will be swallowed up by Russia or be a satellite State. So why send them aid or money?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 25, 2014 06:49 AM (t3UFN)

39 We now have such an expensive arrangement. And in consequence cannot afford many other things any longer, such as being able to walk the police beat. A regrettable reality. Where's the world's po po union arguing for higher world taxes for the world's po po?

Posted by: rickb223 at March 25, 2014 06:50 AM (uVkIH)

40 Give away control of the Internet.

Give away control of the IMF so bad actors can loot the US Treasury.

And I thought Bill Clinton's shady $40 billion bailout of Mexico to help his Wall Street buddies was boneheaded.

Way worse than Jimmah Carter.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 25, 2014 06:51 AM (sLR/I)

41 So you think this aid package in any way is going to prevent the resurgence of the Russian Bear? Posted by: Seems legit at March 25, 2014 10:47 AM (A98Xu) Nice jump across an enormous logic gap.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 25, 2014 06:52 AM (659DL)

42 Where's the world's po po union arguing for higher world taxes for the world's po po? We could go the subscription fire department route. You want your shipping protected? Get US flagged with US merchant seamen.

Posted by: toby928© speaks the unspeakable at March 25, 2014 06:52 AM (QupBk)

43 One additional problem with the reform package is that in order to offset the costs, the Senate bill takes money away from the US Army and Navy. ----- FFS.

Posted by: RWC at March 25, 2014 06:53 AM (fWAjv)

44 37 So, Obama is changing the IMF to make it impossible for a conservative, capitalist Republican to appoint a like-minded person to the IMF -- since that will be blocked by new votes of all the 3rd world socialists. So Obama wants to make the IMF more left-wing and give the socialist shitholes of the world more power to vote to force America to give it loans and bail out the loans they won't pay back. So Obama is trying to turn the IMF into a global tax authority that redistributes income from Americans to socialist shitholes in the 3rd world. Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 25, 2014 10:49 AM (ZPrif) ---------------------------------- Exactly. The percentage of people in the US, whether D or R voters, who would favor this arrangement? Maybe 15, at most. But no matter. The ruling class will not let them know about it, even though it is their tax money that is being spent.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at March 25, 2014 06:55 AM (dfYL9)

45 We have been reamed, steamed, and dry-cleaned by Democrat insanity and lust for power over the last 100 years, and now we can't do shit when Russia decides to be Russia. No surprise.

Posted by: eman at March 25, 2014 06:55 AM (AO9UG)

46 "So Obama is trying to turn the IMF into a global tax authority that redistributes income from Americans to socialist shitholes in the 3rd world."

Note that the Obama administration has tried this before under the rubric of "climate adjustment aid" to the Third World. To help them cope with imagined global warming.

And at that time the leftist hucksters were talking about handing out truly massive amounts of money. A hundred billion dollars ANNUALLY. Not making these figures up.

Posted by: torquewrench at March 25, 2014 06:56 AM (noWW6)

47 Missouri trying to pass Right to Work. Retweeted by Jim Hoft Dana Loesch ‏@DLoesch Good on @SpeakerTimJones for getting RTW on calendar for perfection. Folks, GOP are being bombarded by union. Give support. #MOleg

Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 25, 2014 06:56 AM (ZPrif)

48 I think any aid we send to the Ukraine eventually ends up in Russia's pocket. The Ukraine will never be "Independent" while Putin is in office. It will be swallowed up by Russia or be a satellite State. So why send them aid or money? Because a rapacious Russia is a bad thing.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 25, 2014 06:56 AM (659DL)

49 Democrats and their love of the Global Test and global adoration are turning the US into a version of Gulliver when he awakes to find he has been tied down by all the little countries. Thus incapable of doing anything.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 25, 2014 06:57 AM (sLR/I)

50 The Dem gov. will veto it, though.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 25, 2014 06:57 AM (ZPrif)

51 How does this aid package do anything except take money away from the Army/Navy to "offset" costs? This aid package is simply cover for Obama to say, "I did something." It's wasteful and silly. Because of our lack of policy foresight for at least 6 years, we can do nothing but hope NATO intervenes.

Posted by: Seems legit at March 25, 2014 06:58 AM (A98Xu)

52
Hairy Reid: It's all the fault of the Republicans and the Koch Brothers and child molestation laws! They're all evil, I tell you, evil. Especially the last one

Posted by: TheQuietMan at March 25, 2014 06:59 AM (1Jaio)

53 Because a rapacious Russia is a bad thing. Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 25, 2014 10:56 AM (659DL) Yeah no argument there, but what does sending money to an already lost Ukraine do to stop that? Better to concentrate on the remaining "Independent" States in the surrounding area. And putting a missile shield in Poland and the Chech Republic. It's about tactics not ideology

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 25, 2014 07:00 AM (t3UFN)

54 The IMF is an Ancient Alien Blackhole of waste and fraud that swallowed the Mayan kingdom of Chichen Itza in its entirety.

Posted by: Giorgio Tsoukalos at March 25, 2014 07:00 AM (NpXoL)

55 "One additional problem with the reform package is that in order to offset the costs, the Senate bill takes money away from the US Army and Navy."

I posted yesterday about the Navy guy who was gobsmacked to learn that some others in his unit had actually voted to re-elect Obama despite Obama's endemic hostility to the armed forces. Ethnic solidarity, end of story.

Hopefully the O-bots in question are all going to get rudely turfed out of the service short of retirement by these sweeping cuts. Hey, folks, you voted for this, don't bitch about it now.

Posted by: torquewrench at March 25, 2014 07:00 AM (noWW6)

56 The important thing is that all the corrupt, socialists in Latin America get to vote for no-strings-attached bailouts from the American taxpayers without any right-wing nutjobs blocking it.

Posted by: Progtard 2000 at March 25, 2014 07:00 AM (ZPrif)

57 Ukraine is a European Union problem- created by the european union, instigated and mismanaged by the european union (with the help of obama administration, bu that is a different story). Let them fund their folly. 1 billion to those freaks in Kiev ? no thanks. let our military have it.

Posted by: runner at March 25, 2014 07:02 AM (yrk2K)

58 16 New Ukraine Government to Citizens Â– Turn in Your Guns by Friday http://gunssavelives.net/blog/new-ukraine-government-to-citizens-turn-in-your-guns-by-friday/ Â… #guncontrol #2a via @Guns_Save_Lives

Posted by: phoenixgirl @phxazgrl at March 25, 2014 10:37 AM (u8GsB)

Sure looks like they are all into this freedom and democracy shit the EU would provide for them after all that protesting. Probably a condition to join the EU so the European Central Bank can rob them blind in exchange for "loans"

Posted by: kbdabear at March 25, 2014 07:03 AM (aTXUx)

59 Because of our lack of policy foresight for at least 6 years, we can do nothing but hope NATO intervenes. It's longer than that. Our national serious switch has been in the off position since the Wall came down--even with 9/11, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 25, 2014 07:03 AM (659DL)

60 NO MORE RAIDING THE MILITARY BUDGET

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 25, 2014 07:03 AM (t3UFN)

61 Because a rapacious Russia is a bad thing.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 25, 2014 10:56 AM (659DL)

Exactly.

There are two issues:

First, should America push back against Russian expansion?

I think the answer is an unequivocal, Yes.

Second: Has Obama fucked up our ability to do so?

I think the answer is an unequivocal, Yes.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 25, 2014 07:04 AM (QFxY5)

62 Some people (more and more everyday) just need a good ass kicking. Repeatedly until moral improves. http://tinyurl.com/n2cxuur A Colorado 9-year-old was not allowed in class Monday because she violated the schoolÂ’s dress code. Her offense? Shaving her head as an act of compassion to support a friend battling cancer. ---- Jamie Olson Renfro, KamrynÂ’s mother, wrote on Facebook Sunday that her daughter was asked by the school not to return until her hair grew back. The mother said she realized that, as a parent, she signed unto the schoolÂ’s rules every year, but Â“I never thought my 9-year-old daughter would do something so courageous, brave and selfless.Â” Can't have that!

Posted by: RWC at March 25, 2014 07:04 AM (fWAjv)

63 There are two issues: First, should America push back against Russian expansion? I think the answer is an unequivocal, Yes. Second: Has Obama fucked up our ability to do so? I think the answer is an unequivocal, Yes. Yep.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 25, 2014 07:05 AM (659DL)

64 Exactly. There are two issues: First, should America push back against Russian expansion? I think the answer is an unequivocal, Yes. Second: Has Obama fucked up our ability to do so? I think the answer is an unequivocal, Yes. Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 25, 2014 11:04 AM (QFxY5) Fine but that is NOT the argument. It's how are we to push back at this date and time. And concentrating on an already lost Ukraine is NOT the way to go about it.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 25, 2014 07:06 AM (t3UFN)

65 It's longer than that. Our national serious switch has been in the off position since the Wall came down--even with 9/11, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 25, 2014 11:03 AM (659DL) Well, I can't argue against that. You cannot be serious about National Security and not have serious border deterrents.

Posted by: Seems legit at March 25, 2014 07:06 AM (A98Xu)

66 The EU are a bunch of illegitimate, socialist assholes, Putin is a Crime Lord, Ukraine and Crimea each contain various mixes of russians, nazis and unaligned types. There is no black and white unless Jugears gets involved and charges of racism don't work well in shooting wars. Sure glad I'm not in the Army.

Posted by: ontherocks at March 25, 2014 07:06 AM (El2jB)

67 One way to exert influence in the world besides the military is our economic power. We are in the process (well underway) of giving away that power too. The world will be much worse off because America has abdicated it's role as a force for goodness in the world. I guess you could say that the last 100 years have been unusual in world history in that the major power was so benevolent. We are about to return to the Old World rules.

Posted by: Truck Monkey at March 25, 2014 07:06 AM (32Ze2)

68 A Colorado 9-year-old was not allowed in class Monday because she violated the schoolÂ’s dress code. Her offense? Shaving her head as an act of compassion to support a friend battling cancer.
----

Jamie Olson Renfro, KamrynÂ’s mother, wrote on Facebook Sunday that her daughter was asked by the school not to return until her hair grew back. The mother said she realized that, as a parent, she signed unto the schoolÂ’s rules every year, but Â“I never thought my 9-year-old daughter would do something so courageous, brave and selfless.Â”

Skinhead! RAAAAACIST!

Posted by: Insomniac at March 25, 2014 07:08 AM (DrWcr)

69 One way to exert influence in the world besides the military is our economic power. We are in the process (well underway) of giving away that power too. The world will be much worse off because America has abdicated it's role as a force for goodness in the world. I guess you could say that the last 100 years have been unusual in world history in that the major power was so benevolent. We are about to return to the Old World rules. Posted by: Truck Monkey at March 25, 2014 11:06 AM (32Ze2) Yup. Very Very true

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 25, 2014 07:08 AM (t3UFN)

70 Truck Monkey at March 25, 2014 11:06 AM (32Ze2) Bingo.

Posted by: Seems legit at March 25, 2014 07:09 AM (A98Xu)

71 ukraine and what they do and whether they lean toward Russia or toward europe economically has very little to do with us. it has everything to do with a freak show called the European union and its expansionist plans. Just a reminder - the EU was conceived as a counterweight to the US - economically and even military.

Posted by: runner at March 25, 2014 07:09 AM (yrk2K)

72 Harry Reid has dementia. The Orange Sot called Hairy Reed "unhinged." It's nice to see some resistance against his BS, if only for a nanosecond or two.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b][/u] at March 25, 2014 07:10 AM (0HooB)

73 We'll be on track economically once we legalize those millions living in the shadows. Or something. There is a looooooooong road ahead for America.

Posted by: RWC at March 25, 2014 07:10 AM (fWAjv)

74 I've got a bad feeling about this.

Posted by: Task Force Smith at March 25, 2014 07:13 AM (Aif/5)

75 Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 25, 2014 11:06 AM (t3UFN)

I agree.

But my point stands: we don't have any ability to do anything substantive.

Oh, maybe we have the capacity, but the Obama administration will never do anything other than give lip service to the issue.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 25, 2014 07:13 AM (QFxY5)

76 The podcast is very good. They've covered just about every angle of the Ukraine intervene/don't intervene question.

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 25, 2014 07:16 AM (ZshNr)

77 we don't have any ability to do anything substantive. Oh, maybe we have the capacity, but the Obama administration will never do anything other than give lip service to the issue. Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 25, 2014 11:13 AM (QFxY5) Well we can do stuff if we had a different President. Restore all Defense Cuts. Arm Poland and the Chech Republic and other States around the Russian Bear. Increase our own Energy Output. Actually pretty simple and all actually good for our economy and jobs to boot.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 25, 2014 07:16 AM (t3UFN)

78 The FIRST thing I would do, were I miraculously become President, would be to exploit ALL of our natural resources to become the pre-eminent producer of Natgas and Oil, and work with our real allies to exert our influence all over the world. KEYSTONE PIPELINE would be completed as well. I would more or less withdraw from the muslim sandbox except Israel. I would curtail/eliminate most social spending at home while getting ride of a good many of the alphabet agencies and give the American Taxpayer a break commensurate with these cuts. I have more, but I don't want to bore.

Posted by: Truck Monkey at March 25, 2014 07:16 AM (32Ze2)

79 Exactly. The percentage of people in the US, whether D or R voters, who would favor this arrangement? Maybe 15, at most. The IMF? What does bowling have to do with Ukraine, and why do Republicans hate it?

Posted by: 85% of US voters at March 25, 2014 07:16 AM (SY2Kh)

80 Cool, there was even a commercial after the cast ended.

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 25, 2014 07:18 AM (ZshNr)

81 The IMF? What does bowling have to do with Ukraine, and why do Republicans hate it? Posted by: 85% of US voters That's AMF. A. M. F. Jesus facepalm.

Posted by: rickb223 at March 25, 2014 07:18 AM (uVkIH)

82 Nood

Posted by: rickb223 at March 25, 2014 07:21 AM (uVkIH)

83 That's AMF. A. M. F. Jesus facepalm. Posted by: rickb223 at March 25, 2014 11:18 AM (uVkIH) ___________________ AMF?? I thought that stood for Adios Mother Fucker.....

Posted by: Truck Monkey at March 25, 2014 07:21 AM (32Ze2)

84 That's AMF. A. M. F. Jesus facepalm. IT WAS FUNNY BECAUSE HE WAS SAYING MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE IMF IS.

Posted by: BEN ROETHLISBERGER at March 25, 2014 07:21 AM (SY2Kh)

85 Actually pretty simple and all actually good for our economy and jobs to boot.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 25, 2014 11:16 AM (t3UFN)

Sure.

Move all of the armor out of Afghanistan and into Poland. Add an armored division, complete with anti-missile batteries, and maybe a bunch of A-10s.

Offer the equivalent to Ukraine.

Force the UN to take up debate on the illegal land grab.

Freeze all Russian assets in the US until they pull out of Crimea.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 25, 2014 07:24 AM (QFxY5)

86 Those joke pictures making the rounds among the Russians with Jugears in various KGB getups also serve as a warning about his dirty political laundry and sketchy lineage. They'd have Jugears by the balls (if he had any), prolly just twisting the shorhairs.

Posted by: ontherocks at March 25, 2014 07:24 AM (El2jB)

87 What's all this ruckus about Republicans and the AME?

Posted by: emily litella at March 25, 2014 07:25 AM (QupBk)

88 The SCOAMF is a gutless pussy.

Posted by: Insomniac at March 25, 2014 07:26 AM (DrWcr)

89 I have more, but I don't want to bore.

Posted by: Truck Monkey at March 25, 2014 11:16 AM (32Ze2)

Are you kidding?

Half the Morons are fapping away after reading that!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 25, 2014 07:28 AM (QFxY5)

90 Obama just said (I am paraphrasing) that it is good Ukraine gave up its nukes, since the Russian invasion would have been a disaster if they had nukes.

Posted by: Baldy at March 25, 2014 07:31 AM (2bql3)

91 Also, batshit levels of defense spending result in a) actual economic stimulus and b) things that you can point to and say "that's what a billion dollars will buy."
So does building pyramids.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at March 25, 2014 07:32 AM (XeVA7)

92 I have more, but I don't want to bore. Posted by: Truck Monkey at March 25, 2014 11:16 AM (32Ze2) Are you kidding? Half the Morons are fapping away after reading that! Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 25, 2014 11:28 AM (QFxY5) _____________ Hahahaha. I would never get elected to anything because I have this weird tendency to speak my mind and be truthful.

Posted by: Truck Monkey at March 25, 2014 07:34 AM (32Ze2)

93 No war for the IMF.

Posted by: No War at March 25, 2014 07:37 AM (JLKJJ)

94 Why do you hate brown people?

Posted by: Hector says No War at March 25, 2014 07:46 AM (Aif/5)

95 Karzai snubs Obama and strokes Putin, announcing that Afghanistan stands by Russian Crimean liberation and position of influence with Ukraine. Rumsfeld, racissssss soundbite snark embraces himself within the US failure: "And WE have so mismanaged the situation." http://tinyurl.com/mboo6fm BTW, Rumsfeld's criticism applies to State Dept. Hillary, Kerry and even Susan Rice as well as where the buck stops in the OO on POTUS Obama. "Rumsfeld: U.S. Ties with Karzai 'Gone Downhill Like a Toboggan' Under Obama" By Susan Jones, CNS News, March 25, 2014 - 6:17 AM "Our relationship with Karzai and with Afghanistan was absolutely first-rate in the Bush administration," Rumsfeld told Fox News's Greta Van Susteren on Monday. "It has gone down hill like a toboggan ever since the Obama administration came in." The Obama administration has failed to get Karzai to sign an agreement that would allow some U.S. troops to remain in Afghanistan after 2014, when combat ends. Noting that the U.S. has status of forces agreements with more than a hundred countries, Rumsfeld said, "A trained ape can get a status of forces agreement. It does not take a genius. And we have so mismanaged that relationship." TRAINED APES ON TOBOGGANS!!! nominated next winter Olympic Event

Posted by: panzernashorn at March 25, 2014 08:16 AM (/vO0r)

96 ontherocks: The EU are a bunch of illegitimate, socialist assholes, Putin is a Crime Lord, Ukraine and Crimea each contain various mixes of russians, nazis and unaligned types.

This. ^^^

Tzar Vladimir and the ethnic Russian majority in eastern Ukraine vs. the western Ukraine Svoboda party neonazis and their socialist allies in the US and Europe.

Jebus. We are involved exactly why? Because Obama and neocon idiots like Crystal want to slap Putin?

Posted by: Kristophr at March 25, 2014 08:16 AM (c6N69)

97 11 Also, batshit levels of defense spending result in a) actual economic stimulus and b) things that you can point to and say "that's what a billion dollars will buy." Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 25, 2014 10:36 AM (659DL) Our famous last words!

Posted by: USSR at March 25, 2014 08:19 AM (/vO0r)

98 We should all support installation of Mila Kunis to the throne of the Ukraine.

Posted by: Paladin at March 25, 2014 08:21 AM (4kpbt)

99 WSJ http://tinyurl.com/mhergsx Dumb!

Posted by: panzernashorn at March 25, 2014 11:15 AM (/vO0r)

100 http://tinyurl.com/mhergsx Location, location, location!

Posted by: panzernashorn at March 25, 2014 11:15 AM (/vO0r)

101 Obama's plan has always been to wait until the Russians have taken over the Ukraine and Crimea and then send the financial assistance, pretending it to go to the Ukraine/Crimea, but actually going to Putin, mutha Russia.

Posted by: ron n. at March 26, 2014 01:45 PM (c7HxG)

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