[ketsu]

Putin is crazy with megalomania — his newly acquired power from rigged elections is gone to his head. To make matters worse, Putin has $$$$$$ Billions and real POWER to burn. Bush never should have trusted this Russkie KGB POS. ‘Nuff said.

It's just politics. Putin derangement syndrome is just as silly as Bush DS.

Putin's goal is to reestablish Russia as a regional, if not superpower. The whole "mad-man" defense thing has been done before. It just shows Putin is a student of history.

That's certainly against our interests, but it's a mistake to think that Putin isn't a rational actor. It's an act.

[Fox_Mulder77]

“but it’s a mistake to think that Putin isn’t a rational actor. It’s an act.”

yeah thats what they said about Hitler and look where that got us. if we take him lightly it will only embolden him further.

[sam_paine]

The whole "mad-man" defense thing has been done before.... but it's a mistake to think that Putin isn't a rational actor. It's an act.

He's playing popular politics to the rowdy side that can keep him in power.

By contrast, in today's America a "deport the foreign cheaters now" candidate who appeals to similar nationalistic support has no political power at all.