Grampa, we're all feeling a lot of angst right now. I gave R4E the benefit of the doubt. I think he's just thinking outloud. The problem with demanding that the president get tougher than he is will sound disarmingly simple. It forces his hand. He has to win the election; that's job #1. The Democrats have already chosen someone who would let this happen in 20 schools in one day across America and still not do anything beyond calling the U.N. Job #2 in this situation for the president is to give Putin some elbow room. Job #3 is to call Homeland Security light fires people until he gets an explanation as to what our plans are. Job #4 is to go public and express condolences to the Russian people -- and solidarity. In fact, I would like to see the Russian flag flying with ours today.
I'm engaging this situation not as a "policy" but as a political scenario. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool "neo-con" who's aware that Kerry and his rodents will leap at any opportunity to show the pres. is not winning the war on terror. I think a show of international solidarity will enhance his image, and rightfully so, i.e., contrary to the Kerry campaign, we are NOT in this alone.
That's all I'm saying.
Thank you.