[Berlin_Freeper]

Obama: New Russia sanctions are "teed up," but Putin can change course
"We have been preparing for the prospect that we're going to have to engage in further sanctions. Those are teed up. It requires some technical work, and it also requires coordination with other countries," the president said.

Why Sanctions Will Cost Russia More Than America
“The fundamental thing is that Russia’s GDP is 2.9% of global GDP, and U.S. trade with Russia is about 1% of total U.S. trade,” says Anders Aslund, a Russian specialist at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. “In the big scheme of things, Russia’s economy doesn’t much matter,” he adds.

...If the U.S. targets the top four state-run Russian banks, says Aslund, the E.U. could even benefit economically and the U.S. could significantly hurt the Russian economy. “If Russian finances are being hit, which I favor, then the money would flow out of Russia,” says Aslund.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks,...

Obama is playing with fire,....Will Merkel support these sanctions,.,,is a big question.,

Got to hit the rack....Ancient eyes are not cooperating....please excuse the typos,

[Berlin_Freeper]

North Korean health system crumbling as shortages and sanctions bite

[wetphoenix]

~U.S. trade with Russia is about 1% of total U.S. trade~

Do you think Russia has any significant trade with US?

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

Obama: New Russia sanctions are "teed up," but Putin can change course.

Today, April 24, 2014: Obama finally gets serious about Putin!
New sanctions against Russia are "Teed Up".

Wow! When the teleprompter of the golfer-in-chief of America uses golfing metaphors, you KNOW he's really getting serious this time.

Upcoming planned soundbites re sanctions:

• June 15, 2014: "Obama steps up to the tee containing devastating anti-Russia sanctions. Looks over shoulder in direction of Russia with a grim, almost severe, face."
• Aug 1, 2014: "Obama takes a practice swing at the teed-up Russia sanctions, that he is planning to hit out of the ballpark" (Ouch! Someone call the sports metaphor cops!)
• Sep 15, 2014: "Obama done with practice swings at the tee. Holds putter in what could only be called a 'threatening' stance. Finally ready to show Putin who's boss. Crippling sanctions imminent." ("Putter"??)
• Oct 28, 2014: "One week before midterm election, Obama forcefully, bravely launches anti-Russia sanctions down the fairway. Dem O'Rat incumbent Senators rejoice and call for moratorium on political ads, out of respect for American servicemember lives that will certainly be lost if Obama's bravely implemented sanctions lead to WW3, but their heartfelt pleas fall on deaf ears. MSM circles wagons and launches concerted attacks against GOP Senatorial candidates for wanting US servicewomen and men to be disrespected and die."
• Nov 5, 2014: "Day after election, with Dingy Harry Reid clinging to 50-50 Senate majority (using Hairplug Joe's tie-breaking vote), Obama takes advice of former Pres. Bill Clinton and calls a Mulligan on botched swing. In unrelated news, Russian tanks cross Polish border to rescue Russian-speaking minorities. Obama pulls all US/NATO troops out of Europe to prevent further escalation of tensions, and to secure Peace In Our Time. Ethnic Russian-American Mafia dons in NY, NJ, PA, for first time loudly complain of ethnically-motivated persecution by US LEO agencies."
  [Photo-op: Clinton on Presidential Golf Course #53, seen standing in chest-high shrubbery to the left of Obama ... the shrub under which you can just barely see a woman's kneeling legs]"