[Tupelo]

I think you are confusing respect with cheerleading,

You do not have to agree with an adversary to respect them.
Do you think Grant was a cheerleader for Lee? Did Montgomery cheer lead for Rommel?
Both Grant and Montgomery respected their foe, but still opposed them. I think most of us here oppose but still respect Putin. That said, I cannot help but wonder if Putin respects Obama. I also wonder if Obama "rspects" or fears Putin

[Kozak]

No lots of cheerleaders. Posting dubious Pravda like propaganda, twisting into pretzels to deny the fact that Russia violated its word and invaded a sovereign neighbor. Making scurrilous moral equivalents between the US and Russian history. I have no problem with people recognizing Vlad is an effective tough cookie. I can’t stand the ass kissing. And there’s plenty of it.

[cripplecreek]

Both Grant and Montgomery respected their foe, but still opposed them. I think most of us here oppose but still respect Putin. That said, I cannot help but wonder if Putin respects Obama. I also wonder if Obama "respects" or fears Putin.

We're politically outgunned and I also believe Obama fears Putin. Obama is chaotic and Putin is methodical.

While its true that you go to war with the army you have, I'm not sure you can always go to war with the government you have. In this case we have a government with dubious loyalties for at least 3 more years.