Posted on 07/21/2014 7:58:16 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
MOSCOW — The outside world knows Russian-backed militants shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, using missiles supplied by Moscow, even if few leaders are yet willing to say outright that Vladimir Putin has blood on his hands (again).
But the Russian public is happy to buy Putin’s lies.
“It’s obvious the Ukrainians did this, the separatists don’t have the weaponry or the ability to shoot down aircraft at that altitude,” a partner at a major law firm told me.
Never mind that the “separatists” had shot down at least two Ukrainian planes in the week before, or that the Ukrainians had no reason to shoot at any plane because the militants have no airpower.
Then there’s an economist at the Ministry of Finance: “The Ukrainians are fascists, of course they’re responsible.”
One university professor was a bit more honest: “You don’t understand. We’re Russians, we will never admit guilt to outsiders, especially to Americans. Even if we know we’re guilty.”
In the outside world, people know the “rebels” have done all they could to impede any impartial investigation even seizing the bodies of the 298 innocent victims, and that the missile launchers were quickly pulled back into Russia after the atrocity.
But this is a schizophrenic society. People distrust their own government, but they distrust and hate foreigners even more. Many understand that Russia is probably responsible, but they’ll never admit it; it’s not a society given to self-criticism or honesty.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
The USS Vincennes wasn't run by drunk incompetents either, but an Iranian airliner got shot down anyway. Many of these "Ukrainian rebels" are Russian special ops, particularly those in leadership roles. Sometimes, when you have airliners flying through warzones, sh** happens.
Don't mistake corruption for incompetence. Putin is handling things more or less how he wants them handled.
Don’t forget about all the other journalists and editors he had shot in the middle of the night.
This creep has left a long, bloody trail for anybody who bothered to look.
But a lot were too busy swooning over his tough-guy image to notice. Probably the same dumbasses who think Tony Soprano was some kind of managerial genius.
Why does that sound like admiration to you? Yeah, I think his style of leadership is enhanced by showing people that oppose him what he can do to them, no matter where they are. The opposite of George Washington, who is the leader to be admired through the ages. Don’t you suppose Barack Obama’s in your face use of the IRS is the same kind of calculation that drives Putin?
Yeah, he’s so dreamy. What a stud.
I’ve often wondered about Russian polls.
If you were a Russian, how would you respond to a poll about KGB PUTIN?
There you go. He's probably a big hit with middle-aged queers. Qaddafi used to prance around on horseback, too. Grownups know that such photo-ops are designed to cover up incompetence, but the ploy does work with some folks.
Sorry you fellows missed the pun, I know it's late. And it's hard to see what somebody is saying if all you want to look for is a fight.
I'm not a connoisseur of poisons. ;-)
I see. The explanation is that Putin likes having a crappy, unproductive economy and a crappy, corrupt political system. I guess that's all part of his vision for Russia?
Bullish@t.
The people of Germany knew what was going on and they loved it.
Congrats.
Agree. I would also add that the same question that you ask can also be asked about the polling company in KGB Putin's Russia.
Horse Puckey!
At worst we are in for another round of the Cold War. Something I am quite used to.
Putin is not going to get involved in a shooting war over the Ukraine. He has what he wants and can get the rest later.
He will now move on to the other places on the map that have Russian populations and things that Russia needs.
As for Syria, it's only a proxy war. Look it up, as we have engaged in them for many decades. neither of these actions will lead to a full out war. What can happen is as things move on, and they always do, will be misreads and mistakes on either side can lead to a catalyst event.
I would not expect that situation to become plausible for several years. However you are correct about one thing, and that is our actions, or better said "lack of action" is what is causing the Russians to press harder on the accelerator.
We need to keep up or that situation I spoke of, can happen a lot more sooner than later. They only respect a willingness to use power as needed, and we are not showing that card now..........not with Obama.
Well, that's more complicated than things usually get. I think I'll just stick with the more straightforward view that he would like his country to succeed, but because of his incompetent policies, his country is failing. If you've visited Russia lately, you know it's a pit.
I have heard a convincing theory that he is raising a sense of nationalism to the Russians: the feeling that the country is a still a great power because they are great people.
A sense of proud-ness lost when the empire fell brought back.
Making fools of the US Obama administration showing them weak and powerless.
33,000 feet is out of the range of any conventional ground weapons, even a 50 cal, or a anti-tank rocket, or anything but a SAM missile.
There was not supposed to be any SAM's in use. The Russians only recently brought the ting into the country, so they thought that there was no risk.
In addition, every domestic civilian passenger jet has electronics that ID the Jet and the SAM launcher can read that data.
So unless someone is a total idiot, a SAM operator would have never started the launch sequence.
But apparently there was a idiot.
His approval ratings after the incident are at 80%.....
Arranged overland rail transport from South Korea to Hamburg, quicker than sea route by some 12 days. Ouch, that hurts.
Striked deals to share wealth with Germans, British Royals (BP) and Dutch - they are resellers of Russian gas. Thats why Europe does not care about American call for sanctions.
Established international bank to rival IMF leeches. Ouch, that hurts - Dollar will NOT be used for transactions for 4/5 of the world population.
This "incompetent commie" established flat tax 13%. How would you like that for yourself?
It does not sound incompetent to me. More of a game changer with capitalist spirit.
Not to downplay Russia’s probable role in the shoot down but there is info out that the Ukrainians also had a few of the missiles left over from old associations by/with the ex Ukraine president.
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