Category Archives: Russia
Tale of Two Pulitzers
ABC News president Ben Sherwood had the bad form to complain about being denied a Pulitzer Prize. Television isn’t even eligible for the prizes. They’re awarded to newspapers and digital outlets. Is a TV network’s digital site eligible? Beats me.
Anyway, Sherwood sent a 4 page letter to the Center For Public integrity demanding that ABC reporter Brian Ross be cut in for a share of CPI‘s prize. The reporting was about a doctor/lawyer conspiracy to deprive black lung victims of medical benefits.
Last I heard from Brian Ross he was busy mis-identifying James Holmes, the Denver theater psycho killer, as a Tea Party member.
Two Pulitzers
Meanwhile, Ed Snowden and Vlad Putin were overlooked by the Pulitzer Committee for an award shared by The Washington Post and The Guardian. The two papers were honored for stories detailing NSA spying. The snubbed Snowden, hero or traitor, depending on your point of view, did the basic reporting by stealing information from the NSA. Putin, a renowned New York Times columnist and famous Russian hockey player, is Snowden’s patron.
Irresponsible Behavior
When it comes to irresponsible behavior in the 21st century Obama and Putin don’t see eye to eye.
President Obama says no country can dominate another country. Dr. Krauthammer says Obama seems to think countries no longer have interests beyond those of the “international community”.
Club G 8
G-8 gentlemen are asked kindly not to invade other members of the World Community. If they do they will be asked to leave Club G 8.
Obama Phone Prank
Vladimir Putin’s answering machine explained he couldn’t come to the phone because he was digesting Crimea, python style. President Obama left a long message explaining “might doesn’t make right“. He promised not to send troops, not that anyone was asking.
Phone Prank
After he hung up, the president slapped sanctions on a few cronies (Putin’s not Obama’s). This gambit drew laughter. The Russians farted in our general direction, calling the sanctions a “prank“.
President Obama thinks our biggest geopolitical foe is income inequality. No – wait – climate change. Mitt Romney thinks it’s Russia.
Reset to the 19th Century
Secretary of State Kerry feels President Putin’s “19th century” behavior is not up to G-8 elite standards.
This isn’t Putin’s first rodeo when it comes to dropping in uninvited on his neighbors. He invaded Georgia on President Bush’s watch in August 2008. Like the current Crimea crises, Bush didn’t do much to stop it.
Then came Hillary’s “Reset”, or Overcharge.
Reset
Michael Gerson in the Washington Post thinks the reset may have contributed to Putins feelings of grandeur:
President Obama’s “reset” with Russia was designed to end the economic, political and military isolation of Putin’s Russia after the invasion of Georgia in 2008. The Kremlin did not keep the terms of the cease-fire ending that conflict. But Obama was determined to unfreeze the post-Georgia relationship, particularly since cooperation was needed on issues of mutual concern such as Iran and Syria.
