[MichaelP]

Ill conceived provacations, no matter what melancholy for the past, risks unintended consequences. I believe Putin believes that USSR hegemony can be achieved in the present, at the USA's expense...

Mike

[Smokin' Joe]

Ill conceived provacations, no matter what melancholy for the past, risks unintended consequences.

Agreed, but our media braying the alleged existence of a 'nutless' America, one with insufficient resolve to finish what we are doing in Iraq--at all levels according to the MSM, has its unintended consequences as well.

Even if we were a paper tiger, if the media stood foursquare behind America and presented an image of strength instead of one of cowardice and weakness, no nation would dare such acts of provocative defiance.

Unfortunately, as our cheerleaders cheer for the other side, such incidents will increase, and sooner or later, there will be an incident.