Posted on 10/09/2015 9:49:11 AM PDT by VinL
Over the last week, the world has once again looked on aghast as President Vladimir Putin has taken violent advantage of regional instability to re-establish Russia's influence, this time in the Middle East. Despite promises to join the United States in a counterterrorism effort against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, Putin is on a mission to protect Russian assets in the Mediterranean by propping up his client, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Ted Cruz Ted Cruz
Meanwhile, the Obama administration has been caught flat-footed as Putin's actions threaten to inflame and destabilize an already acute crisis.
Enough already. We don't need a reset. We need a reality check.
Putin has been unmoved by the Obama administration's threats of isolation on the international stage, and economic sanctions have on their own been no deterrent to his opportunistic behavior. More of the same will not result in success.
We need a coherent plan to address both the specific crisis in Syria and the challenge posed more broadly by Putin's resurgent Russia. The good news is that America still has options -- if our leaders can summon the will to exercise them.
For starters, in Syria we can't double down on the failed strategies that have given Putin [snip]
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
but you know what, Russia never slaughtered 3000 americans on our soil. I was here to live it.
Russia isn’t decapitating and crucifying and raping and selling women by the tens of thousands right now.
russia IS civilized compared to these animals.
russians didn’t want to die in a nuclear holocaust or there would have been one.
these guys dont care.
We can start by minding our own business.
I agree with our next President, Donald Trump, let the Russians do it.
Bingo. Specific plan? Nothing. That’s the best plan yet. I’m not sure if these guys fully understand that America doesn’t OWN the whole world.
So KGB/FSB Putin is your hero? Russia under Putin, and of course before, armed and supported just about every nation hostile to the United States. Does that not even bother you, just a little? Or are you really that screwed up in the head? (I'll bet the latter).
“Putin’s actions threaten to inflame and destabilize an already acute crisis. “
Which is CNN’s way of saying it’s a crying shame Putin is managing to destroy ISIS and the other Muslim rebel terrorist scum trying to destroy Assad and take over Syria as part of the New ISIS Caliphate, a land of terror and chopped off heads and fingers and other body parts of women and children and others who displease the ruling Muslim warlords.
The -only- critical American interest I see in Syria, is that ISIS and the Sunni rebels not take over a nation state. Especially one that shares a border with Israel.
Just as a thought exercise, is there any nation or conflict, anywhere on earth that we do not see as a critical American interest, or a geopolitical challenge?
Everyone is hyperventilating about Russia being in Syria.
Russia has 2 or 3 bases outside the borders of the former USSR. We have around a thousand worldwide.
This is just a head shaker. If the Israelis are cool with it, I am too.
oops, I mean Ted’s way of saying ...
Ted Cruz on Abortion | |
.
|
Ted Cruz on Budget & Economy |
Click here for OR other candidates on Budget & Economy OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Civil Rights |
Click here for OR other candidates on Civil Rights OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Corporations |
Click here for OR other candidates on Corporations OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Crime |
Click here for OR other candidates on Crime OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Drugs |
Click here for OR other candidates on Drugs OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Education | |
Click here for OR other candidates on Education OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Energy & Oil |
Click here for OR other candidates on Energy & Oil OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Environment |
Click here for OR other candidates on Environment OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Families & Children |
Click here for OR other candidates on Families & Children OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Foreign Policy |
Click here for OR other candidates on Foreign Policy OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Free Trade |
Click here for OR other candidates on Free Trade OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Government Reform |
Click here for OR other candidates on Government Reform OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Gun Control |
Click here for OR other candidates on Gun Control OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Health Care |
Click here for OR other candidates on Health Care OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Homeland Security |
Click here for OR other candidates on Homeland Security OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Immigration |
Click here for OR other candidates on Immigration OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Jobs | |
Click here for OR other candidates on Jobs OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Principles & Values |
Click here for OR other candidates on Principles & Values OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Social Security |
Click here for OR other candidates on Social Security OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Tax Reform |
Click here for OR other candidates on Tax Reform OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Technology | |
Click here for OR other candidates on Technology OR .
|
Ted Cruz on War & Peace |
Click here for OR other candidates on War & Peace OR .
|
Ted Cruz on Welfare & Poverty |
Click here for OR other candidates on Welfare & Poverty OR .
|
VoteMatch Responses (Click here for VoteMatch quiz) |
|
---|---|
VoteMatch Question & Answer (Click on question for explanation and background) |
Based on these stances: (Click on topic for excerpt & citation) |
Strongly Opposes topic 1: Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right (-5 points on Social scale) |
Ban taxpayer funding of abortion & partial birth abortion: Strongly Opposes topic 1 Companies can deny insuring birth control: Opposes topic 1 Protect innocent human life with partial-birth ban: Strongly Opposes topic 1 Opposes public abortion funding: Opposes topic 1 Opposes churches providing birth control: Opposes topic 1 |
No opinion on topic 2: Legally require hiring women & minorities (0 points on Economic scale) |
Disallow Ku Klux Klan from participating in Adopt-A-Highway: Favors topic 2 NO on reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act: Opposes topic 2 |
Strongly Opposes topic 3: Comfortable with same-sex marriage (-5 points on Social scale) |
Pray against a court decision legalizing same-sex marriage: Strongly Opposes topic 3 Zealotry on same-sex marriage leaves out religious liberty: Strongly Opposes topic 3 Most states can ignore Supreme Court legalizing gay marriage: Strongly Opposes topic 3 Opposes the unrelenting assault on traditional marriage: Strongly Opposes topic 3 Overturn Supreme Court with anti-gay marriage Amendment: Strongly Opposes topic 3 Opposes gay pride parades and opposes gay marriage: Strongly Opposes topic 3 One-man-one-woman marriage is building block of society: Strongly Opposes topic 3 Supports defining traditional marriage: Opposes topic 3 Supports banning military gay marriage: Opposes topic 3 Sponsored state definition of marriage supersedes federal gay marriage: Strongly Opposes topic 3 |
Strongly Favors topic 4: Keep God in the public sphere (-5 points on Social scale) |
Defend Judeo-Christian values against liberal fascism: Strongly Favors topic 4 Stop IRS from asking: 'tell me the content of your prayers': Strongly Favors topic 4 Government checks create dependency: Favors topic 4 Defend Ten Commandments and "under God" in the Pledge: Strongly Favors topic 4 Rated 100% by the AU, indicating opposition to separation of church & state: Strongly Favors topic 4 |
Strongly Opposes topic 5: Expand ObamaCare (+5 points on Economic scale) |
I regret voting for John Roberts because of ObamaCare vote: Strongly Opposes topic 5 Washington wants ObamaCare, the people want liberty: Strongly Opposes topic 5 Support nuns' battle for religious liberty against ObamaCare: Opposes topic 5 To repeal ObamaCare, show Dems they'd lose by supporting it: Opposes topic 5 5 million had health insurance canceled because of ObamaCare: Strongly Opposes topic 5 Vow to repeal ObamaCare: Strongly Opposes topic 5 Save Medicare by raising eligibility age: Favors topic 5 Throw my body in front of a train to stop ObamaCare: Strongly Opposes topic 5 Defeat ObamaCare; rein in the federal government: Strongly Opposes topic 5 Defund, repeal, & replace federal care with free market: Strongly Opposes topic 5 Repeal any federal health care takeover: Strongly Opposes topic 5 Supports repealing ObamaCare: Strongly Opposes topic 5 Supports market-based health insurance: Opposes topic 5 |
Strongly Favors topic 6: Privatize Social Security (+5 points on Economic scale) |
Raise retirement age; cap increases to inflation rate: Favors topic 6 Transition younger workers into personal savings system: Favors topic 6 Rated 0% by ARA, indicating a pro-privatization stance: Strongly Favors topic 6 |
Strongly Favors topic 7: Vouchers for school choice (+5 points on Economic scale) |
Right to education: public, private, charter, or homeschool: Strongly Favors topic 7 Education decisions best made at local level: Favors topic 7 Denounce the Common Core State Standards: Favors topic 7 |
Favors topic 8: EPA regulations are too restrictive (-3 points on Social scale) |
NO on protecting ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems: Favors topic 8 |
Strongly Favors topic 9: Stricter punishment reduces crime (-5 points on Social scale) |
World Court should have no say in Texas executions: Strongly Favors topic 9 Fully monitor sexual predators & bring them to justice: Favors topic 9 Supports the death penalty: Strongly Favors topic 9 |
Strongly Favors topic 10: Absolute right to gun ownership (+5 points on Economic scale) |
Opposes unreasonable and burdensome gun restrictions: Strongly Favors topic 10 Opposes restricting the Second Amendment: Favors topic 10 NO on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets: Strongly Favors topic 10 |
Opposes topic 11: Higher taxes on the wealthy (+2 points on Economic scale) |
Abolish the IRS: Strongly Favors topic 11 Permanent Washington elite protects the tax code: Opposes topic 11 Adopt a single-rate tax system: Strongly Opposes topic 11 Repeal tax hikes in capital gains and death tax: Strongly Opposes topic 11 Supports the Taxpayer Protection Pledge: Strongly Opposes topic 11 Opposes increasing tax rates: Opposes topic 11 Supports eliminating the inheritance tax: Opposes topic 11 |
Strongly Opposes topic 12: Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens (-5 points on Social scale) |
End Obama's illegal amnesty via Congress' checks & balances: Strongly Opposes topic 12 Defund amnesty; and refuse any nominees until rescinded: Strongly Opposes topic 12 No path to citizenship for 1.65 million illegals in Texas: Strongly Opposes topic 12 Give police more power to ask about immigration status: Strongly Opposes topic 12 Boots on the ground, plus a wall: Strongly Opposes topic 12 Triple the size of the Border Patrol: Strongly Opposes topic 12 Strengthen border security and increase enforcement: Strongly Opposes topic 12 |
Strongly Favors topic 13: Support & expand free trade (+5 points on Economic scale) |
Defended Chinese company on intellectual property theft: Strongly Favors topic 13 |
Strongly Favors topic 14: Support American Exceptionalism (+5 points on Economic scale) |
Don't let world courts bind American sovereignty: Strongly Favors topic 14 Cuba is oppressive but never misses chance to propagandize: Favors topic 14 America is indispensable; our allies need our leadership: Strongly Favors topic 14 US has a responsibility to defend our values abroad: Favors topic 14 Sponsored opposing the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty: Strongly Favors topic 14 Oppose the United Nations' Arms Trade Treaty: Favors topic 14 |
Strongly Favors topic 15: Expand the military (-5 points on Social scale) |
Vital role for deploying military force abroad: Strongly Favors topic 15 Fierce advocate of recruiting and growing the military: Strongly Favors topic 15 |
No opinion on topic 16: Make voter registration easier (0 points on Social scale) |
If you like special interests, I ain't your guy: Favors topic 16 Require voters to show ID to avoid voter fraud: Opposes topic 16 |
Opposes topic 17: Avoid foreign entanglements (-3 points on Social scale) |
Toughen sanctions on Iran, to safeguard America: Strongly Opposes topic 17 Arm the Kurds to fight ISIS, with US air support: Opposes topic 17 Bomb ISIS back to the Stone Age: Strongly Opposes topic 17 Arm & aid the Peshmerga Kurds against ISIS: Strongly Opposes topic 17 Don't arm Syrian rebels without a clear plan to combat ISIS: Favors topic 17 Vigorous sanctions against Putin; help eastern Ukraine: Opposes topic 17 Install Eastern European ABMs; stand up to Russia in Ukraine: Opposes topic 17 Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan went on too long: Favors topic 17 Sponsored shutting down Iranian foreign reserves: Opposes topic 17 |
Strongly Opposes topic 18: Prioritize green energy (+5 points on Economic scale) |
Fight against Gulf moratorium on offshore exploration: Strongly Opposes topic 18 Signed the No Climate Tax Pledge by AFP: Strongly Opposes topic 18 Cap-and-trade has no impact on global temperatures: Strongly Opposes topic 18 Explore proven energy reserves & keep energy prices low: Opposes topic 18 Let states lease energy rights on federal lands: Strongly Opposes topic 18 |
Opposes topic 19: Marijuana is a gateway drug (+2 points on Social scale) |
Lower minimums and mandatory sentencing for drugs: Opposes topic 19 |
Strongly Opposes topic 20: Stimulus better than market-led recovery (+5 points on Economic scale) |
Pass a flat tax and abolish the IRS, and jobs will follow: Strongly Opposes topic 20 Balanced budget amendment to stop bankrupting our country: Strongly Opposes topic 20 Debt ceiling limits "blank check" of federal spending: Strongly Opposes topic 20 Limit federal spending growth to per-capita inflation rate: Strongly Opposes topic 20 Supports the Cut-Cap-and-Balance Pledge: Opposes topic 20 Audit the Federal Reserve & its actions on mortgage loans: Opposes topic 20 |
Ted Cruz is a Hard-Core Conservative. Click here for explanation of political philosophy. Click here for VoteMatch quiz. |
I guess you missed the CNN Editor's Note disclaimer to the article:
Ted Cruz is a U.S. senator from Texas. He is seeking the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/09/opinions/cruz-syria-putin/index.html
Would you rather have malcontent Ukraine leading the charge?
Peggy Noonan article
http://www.wsj.com/article_email/shows-of-strength-from-trump-and-putin-1444347565-lMyQjAxMTE1NzA4OTUwMzk0Wj
Included among Russia's allies are/were Saddam Hussein/Iraq, Iran, Syria, the ChiComs, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Boliva... get the idea? They seek to not only retake Eastern Europe, but now, with ChiCom help, the Middle East. Yet this is all great news to you.
If this were my site I would have booted you and your deranged Putin-loving comrades off of here a long time ago. Just can't get why you guys are allowed to remain here.
1: Would you enforce a no fly zone in Syria?
2: Would you put boots on the ground?
A simple yes or no please not an essay.
McGruff, you are another big-time KGB Putin supporter and butt kisser.
This is just for anyone who doesn’t know it already.
All it would have taken was leaving 10,000 soldiers in Iraq. Now the region is in flames, and Iran has a grip on the center of the Middle East.
Thanks Obama...
But you're not just backing KGB/FSB Putin, and hoping that the US does absolutely nothing about their obvious expansionist intentions there and in Eastern Europe, and/or for reasons of avoiding a war over it. You stand behind Putin on everything. Cruz's solution is what I myself have said here previously: For the US to step up its attacks on ISIS, leaving Russia no legit excuse for getting in the way. Problem with that is, Obama and Putin are likely in cahoots in the Russia takeover scheme. So he won't likely do it.
____________________________________
From an earlier post of mine...
Included among Russia's allies are/were Saddam Hussein/Iraq, Iran, Syria, the ChiComs, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Boliva... get the idea? They seek to not only retake Eastern Europe, but now, with ChiCom help, the Middle East.
Agreed. Trump has this right. Cruz is just paying lip service to the military industrial complex in the Senate.
I always knew Peggy Noonan was a KGB spy!!! LOL!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.