Here’s a story I thought you should know about.
This isn’t a story that the US Press Corps will report on so you should be
thankful that this story has come to light.
It occurred in Vladimir Putin’s
office in the Kremlin in Moscow. The Kremlin, an important location in Russia, is
similar to the US White House. The Kremlin is ominous looking and is a symbol
of Russian strength and power.
Vladimir Putin is the current President
of Russia for a second time. He has previously been the President of Russia and
has also been the Prime Minister of Russia. Putin has ties to the former KGB,
the Russian equivalent of the US CIA.
He is responsible for declaring war
on the Ukraine, a country that has significant energy reserves, and just
recently sending Russian troops into the Ukraine, a former Soviet controlled satellite
country. This is significant because after World War II Russia sent troops into
many European countries and took control of those countries and ruled each with
an iron hand.
So the idea of the Russians sending
troops into someone’s sovereign and independent country to occupy or control it
is not new and is not something to be happy about. It’s done because a country isn’t
cooperating with the Russian desires.
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Imagine we are walking by Putin’s
office. Maybe we are on a tour. Tension is in the air because Russia has declared
war against the Ukraine and also sent troops into the Ukraine. The Ukrainian
people aren’t cooperating and playing nice in the sand box. The Pro Russian
Ukrainian President was chased from office by the Ukrainian people who prefer
to associate with the European Union, an economic and political union of 28 member
states that aren’t interested in invading the Ukraine.
But back to Vlad.
Putin is on the phone. He is laughing
with great zest and enthusiasm. Perhaps he has had some Russian Vodka. Maybe a
few too many drinks. He is pacing back and forth. He is excited and very
animated. His deeply Russian voice is rising with excitement.
We aren’t sure what is going on so we
try to get a little closer so we can better hear the commentary and we hear the
following
Vlad is saying: ‘Barack! You are such a kidder. I
have so much fun when we play pretend and when we talk.’
‘You drew a line in the sand over
Syria and said we shouldn’t cross it. Well when I crossed it you acted like you
never said it and you just erased the line and drew another line in the sand closer
to you. And you didn’t do anything again. I just love it when you tease me like
that.’
We hear Vlad laughing more.
‘And we sent a Russian warship to
Cuba last week and I don’t think you said anything. But your government issued a really
weak statement that didn’t challenge or question us.’
More laughter.
‘Then you just said we shouldn’t do
anything in the Ukraine. In fact it was so much fun because you acted like you
really meant it this time and you seemed so sure of yourself you didn’t even go
to a high level meeting in Washington that was called to discuss how the US
should react to our move. It was like passing when it was your move in a chess
game. I love it when you pretend so well.’
‘Especially when the US Press acts
like nothing is going on and they go along with this stuff that you don’t do.
How did you train or coerce them so well. I could use some pointers on how to
get the press and the populace to be so complacent that they never question or
challenge me.’
More deep, belly laughs with a few
snorts.
‘Oh Barack this is so much fun. Let’s
play some more!’
‘Oh and by the way. Don’t send that
stiff John Kerry back over here. He doesn’t have any sense of humor.’
‘I can’t wait to see what you do after
my next move. Let’s keep in touch.’
‘Next time we get together for lunch
or for one of those big expensive State Dinners I’ll bring Hassan Rouhani, the President of
Iran. You remember him don’t you? He also likes the way you like to play
pretend. No he isn’t going to send nukes into Israel. You have to stop
listening to those extremist conservatives.
Trust Me!’ Lots more laughter after this statement.