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Ted Cruz Channels Reagan: 'Mr. Putin, Give Back Crimea'
businessinsider.in ^ | July 30, 2014 | COLIN CAMPBELL

Posted on 07/30/2014 12:14:52 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) echoed Ronald Reagan's famous challenge to former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev on Tuesday when he officially called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to return territory Russia annexed earlier this year back to Ukraine.

"Mr. Putin, give back Crimea," Cruz said at the Young America's Foundation in Washington. "Why is it so unimaginable for President Obama to utter those words?"

Cruz, a potential 2016 presidential contender, has made foreign policy hawkishness a key part of his political brand. Speaking before the group of conservative college students Tuesday, he repeatedly accused Obama of being unwilling to aggressively challenge the United States' geopolitical foes.

"We need to stand up and speak out for freedom," said Cruz. "The words that come from the president of the United States matter. President Reagan demonstrated that. One of the saddest things is President Obama doesn't do that."

Cruz cited Ukraine, where Russia took over Crimea and separatists backed by Moscow are continuing to fight the government, as a specific case where the United States should have a bolder foreign policy.

"Ukraine is a good example to use," said Cruz. "I think we should have done several things immediately. Number one, I think we should have gone forward with installing the anti-ballistic missile batteries ... that were scheduled to go into effect and that President Obama canceled in 2009 in an effort to appease Putin."

Cruz suggested Obama's reluctance to more forcefully fight Putin's push into Ukraine was tantamount to "appeasement."

"It's pretty clear that appeasement didn't work," he said.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Foreign Affairs; Politics/Elections; Russia
KEYWORDS: putin
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To: grania
CRUZ/BLACKBURN BILL WOULD END OBAMA'S AMNESTIES
21 posted on 07/30/2014 12:51:43 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
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To: grania

Solid points, I’m with you. I like Cruz, but he’s turning into a politician. How any serious leader in the USA right now can discuss -anything- but millions of third world illiterates (most are even illiterate,,,IN SPANISH) flooding in escapes me.

Second is the immediate, existential danger of the moslem world running wild. And Cruz is in a lather about Crimea. Lawyers never cease to amaze.


22 posted on 07/30/2014 12:54:14 PM PDT by DesertRhino (I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for office.)
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To: grania

Solid points, I’m with you. I like Cruz, but he’s turning into a politician. How any serious leader in the USA right now can discuss -anything- but millions of third world illiterates (most are even illiterate,,,IN SPANISH) flooding in escapes me.

Second is the immediate, existential danger of the moslem world running wild. And Cruz is in a lather about Crimea. Lawyers never cease to amaze.


23 posted on 07/30/2014 12:54:18 PM PDT by DesertRhino (I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for office.)
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Ted Cruz: The second coming of Ronald W. Reagan after the second coming of Jimmy Carter.


24 posted on 07/30/2014 12:56:52 PM PDT by ExCTCitizen (I'm ExCTCitizen and I approve this reply. If it does offend Libs, I'm NOT sorry...)
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Territorial gain through the use of force was supposed to have been outlawed by the UN wasn’t it??


25 posted on 07/30/2014 12:58:12 PM PDT by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans)
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To: LuvFreeRepublic

You forgot to add “Onward to Empire!” and “All Hail The Tsar!”


26 posted on 07/30/2014 12:59:19 PM PDT by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans)
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To: Gunslingr3

“Because Crimea was part of Russia before California was part of the U.S.”

Hell, it was Russian before KENTUCKY was a state.


27 posted on 07/30/2014 1:00:23 PM PDT by DesertRhino (I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for office.)
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To: Gunslingr3

Crimea is part of Ukraine now. This is not about the age of Charlemagne


28 posted on 07/30/2014 1:03:47 PM PDT by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans)
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To: DesertRhino

Jeepers, does that mean Russia has a claim on Kentucky?


29 posted on 07/30/2014 1:04:33 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: Greetings_Puny_Humans

Hey Azzwipe. I made a fact based observation. I didn’t call you or anyone with a different take on it a retard or a traitor.

And since when is it treason to not defend anything over in Ukraine? LOL I don’t remember pledging allegiance to Ukraine, indivisible, with jackboots, and skinheads for all.


30 posted on 07/30/2014 1:05:15 PM PDT by DesertRhino (I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for office.)
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To: DesertRhino
Sen. Cruz: Israel’s Iron Dome Protects our Ally, Protects Us - July 30, 2014 - "Even as the fighting in Gaza grabs the headlines, we have to keep our eyes on the far more serious danger of a nuclear Iran. The threat of a nuclear-armed Iran would make Hamas and their rockets seem like child's play and our support for Iron Dome should be understood in the context of support for the continued development of these systems, which not only protect our friend and ally Israel but they protect us. There is a reason why Hamas and Iran refer to Israel as the little Satan and the United States as the great Satan. Because their intention with both is the same terror, the same murder, the same death and destruction."
31 posted on 07/30/2014 1:07:22 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
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To: DesertRhino
I know, I know. They are the heirs of Madison and Jefferson. That’s why they are pounding urban areas of Donetsk with arty and heavy ballistic missiles. And calling anyone who resists that coup a “terrorist”. Just exactly like Nazis did. That’s why they have torchlight parades.

The only alleged use of a ballistic missile was in a rural area on enemy targets. As for artillery, I am unsure about this, but I do know that the Russkies are shooting and taking up positions next to apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, things of that nature. Furthermore, the civilians themselves say that the Russkies are shooting artillery and grads randomly at their own cities. Why? Because the separatists do not have very much support in the East and South and, furthermore, they can blame it on the Ukrainians and maybe get more recruits.

"Ukrainska Pravda reports that between 20-30 people were killed today in Gorlovka when the centre of the town was struck by Grad rockets. One of the shells reportedly struck and exploded not far from the central maternity hospital. The rockets were reportedly fired from the outskirts of the town. Some local reports claimed they were fired by separatist militants." http://www.interpretermag.com/ukraine-liveblog-day-160-the-battle-for-the-donbass-intensifies/ Sorry, but they are indeed national socialist, and most of their army is western Ukrainian and mobilized Svoboda, and has a full allegiance to the Banderists. Scratch a coupist, find a Nazi.

This is also false. While there are Right Sector militia fighting in the war, it is a lie that "most of their army" are all Nazis. Most of their army is the same army they've had since Yanukovych.

Right Sector and Svoboda only received 1 to 2 percent of the vote in the Presidential election. The government you call "Nazis" even has Jews in it.

But go ahead, follow Obama, the EU, Kerry, McCain, the MSM, Ashton, and Soros.

The stupidity of this statement is that you are happily believing everything Russian media and PaulBot/Alex Jones fringe websites without any problem. If you are going to claim that I am "following Obama" because I oppose Russia, then you must eschew Russkie media in order to avoid being described as "following Putin.

32 posted on 07/30/2014 1:08:12 PM PDT by Greetings_Puny_Humans (I mostly come out at night... mostly.)
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To: grania

Giving back Ukrainian territory can’t be part of the settlement?


33 posted on 07/30/2014 1:08:35 PM PDT by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans)
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To: Gunslingr3

“The idea that border changes initiated by the Soviet Premier are something that the U.S. should go to the barricades for over 20 years after the Soviet Union disintegrated is laughable.”

Do you feel the same about Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, etc?

Some have joined NATO and some more were planning to. IOW they don’t want to be part of the “Soviet Union” any more now, than they did 70 years ago.


34 posted on 07/30/2014 1:09:35 PM PDT by truth_seeker
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To: DesertRhino; grania; KC_Lion
How any serious leader in the USA right now can discuss -anything- but millions of third world illiterates

He should only talk about one thing? And if he did that, who would ever take him seriously as a "leader"?

Ted Cruz made an endorsement today

The crisis at America’s border is a defining issue in the coming election, especially in Arizona. I’m supporting Doug Ducey for Arizona governor because he is the best candidate to help secure the border, protect the people, and enforce the law. He has the most serious and credible plan to address the border crisis.

I guess since he thinks the border crisis is the DEFINING ISSUE of the coming election, it's still not good enough. You think he should talk about nothing else?

35 posted on 07/30/2014 1:10:18 PM PDT by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans)
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To: Greetings_Puny_Humans

And tell me about how you ever earned the right to call anyone a traitor. You don’t pack the gear. You know exactly what I mean ,,,


36 posted on 07/30/2014 1:10:30 PM PDT by DesertRhino (I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for office.)
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To: DesertRhino
Hey Azzwipe. I made a fact based observation. I didn’t call you or anyone with a different take on it a retard or a traitor.

Your retardness and treason is not dependent on any previous insults you have told me. It is dependent on your stupid and treasonous opinions.

And since when is it treason to not defend anything over in Ukraine? LOL I don’t remember pledging allegiance to Ukraine, indivisible, with jackboots, and skinheads for all.

I call you treasonous because you are Pro-Moscow, a regime that is highly anti-American, supports communist states and movements, supports Iran's nuclear program, and publishes a media that is virulently hateful to the United States and our people.

It is very clear: If you are willing to vomit up Russian media talking points and defend Putin, you are siding with the enemy.

37 posted on 07/30/2014 1:11:38 PM PDT by Greetings_Puny_Humans (I mostly come out at night... mostly.)
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To: Tailgunner Joe
"Mr. Putin, give back Crimea," Cruz said at the Young America's Foundation in Washington. "Why is it so unimaginable for President Obama to utter those words?"

Is Ted serious? All Obama does is throw words around. And when he doesn't back them up, he comes in for ridicule. And evicting Putin from Crimea isn't something Obama or the US are in any position to do. When the words aren't backed up with action, they'll look hollow and worthless. So obviously, it's not something the president is going to say anytime soon.

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" is a rhetorical exhortation. Nobody's going to be surprised or angry or very disappointed if Gorbachev doesn't tear down the wall immediately. "Mr. Putin, give back Crimea!" looks a lot more like a demand. Putin will ignore it and score points from his supporters, and the person who says the line will look ridiculous -- or more ridiculous. And there may be a limit to how ridiculous Obama can afford to look look (maybe ... though his supporters don't seem to notice much).

I guess Ted's idea is that we need decisive, confident, and forceful leadership now. Okay, point taken, but leadership is more a matter of action than of striking more dramatic poses. Reagan wasn't great because he bequeathed a lot of rhetorical tropes to Ted's generation, but because he was able to respond to crises with right actions rather than just fine words.

38 posted on 07/30/2014 1:13:47 PM PDT by x
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To: DesertRhino

cruz-whipping-tonight-against-boehner-border-bill

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3185128/posts

You might want to pay attention. Otherwise you’ll be surprised and disappointed instead of just disappointed in the successes Cruz has in the months ahead


39 posted on 07/30/2014 1:21:14 PM PDT by stanne
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To: 1rudeboy

I think it means Texas is part of Mexico

Anyway, they all belong to the dinosaurs.


40 posted on 07/30/2014 1:22:54 PM PDT by stanne
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