A Friend In Need Is A Problem

President Obama has been trying to decide

If, by sending lethal aid to Ukraine, we will slide

Down the slope that leads to war with Russia.  In the end,

How far should the U.S. go to help support a friend?

Putin seeks a land bridge to Crimea and he'll kill

To get what he's after...  Then he'll stop.  But not until.

Putin's made that clear beyond the shadow of a doubt;

Proving sanctions on his country don't wield any clout.

He's content to wait those out - continuing to lie -

Gambling that NATO forces aren't prepared to die

In a bid to stop him from annexing more Ukraine,

Trying to rebuild the Russia of Joe Stalin's reign.

Since they aren't a NATO member, Putin may be right.

E.U. isn't rushing to join Kiev in its fight.

U.S. lethal aid will just add to the list of dead.

Let's not get involved in places Europe fears to tread.

The Rus Down in Rus-ville Like Putin Alot...

(Image/smsuspur.net)

Getting close to Christmas-time and Putin's playing Grinch,

As the price of oil goes down and sanctions start to pinch;

He's cracked down internally on opposition groups.

Meanwhile, in Crimea, he's begun amassing troops.

Yet, the Rus in Russia - unlike Whoville and the Whos -

Still support their President, according to the news.

Putin's heart might be too small; his ego, though, is not...

His ambitions in the region also grew alot.

Though they face recession next year, Russians do not care.

Putin's just as popular as ever over there.

It's as if the Whos decided, late one Christmas night,

They should help to trash their town because the Grinch was right.

The Russian Example - Watch Your Step Canada

Ukraine.  (Courtesy of/www.vox.com)

Ukraine is preparing for the Russians to invade,

Just like in Crimea - where they "intervened," then stayed.

Ethnic Russian speakers have invited Putin in

Which would start a war that the Ukrainians can't win.

Putin may decide it's worth the cost and go ahead.

There's already fighting in the streets, with people dead.

This provides the pretext that the Russians may yet use,

Having calculated that they don't have much to lose.

Well aware the West won't go to war to save Ukraine,

They're prepared to suffer future, economic pain.

I don't think they realize how bad that pain could get

But I know that sanctions haven't stopped the Russians yet.

Right now it's not money that they're thinking of - it's pride.

Tried to see the situation from the other side;

But, it's like we'd seized Toronto, threatened Montreal,

And planned to take Southern Canada before the Fall.

Vlad the Invader

Another famous Vlad.

Russian people want to know; What's all the fuss about?

All they ever did was help a fellow Russki out.

Russian troops on Ukraine's border aren't meant as a threat.

They have not annexed the East...  At least, they haven't yet.

Hitting them with sanctions will not make them back away;

It's a price the Russian people are prepared to pay.

That is how the situation looks to Russian eyes.

Putin's popularity at home is on the rise.

Even those who do not like him back his latest move.

Since the Soviet collapse they've felt the need to prove

They are still a major force that must be reckoned with.

They view Putin like some figure out of Slavic myth.

I can understand the way the Russian people feel;

Tales of former glories do have romantic appeal.

If, however, your side is the one that lost the fight,

Putin's actions in the region must be viewed with fright.

Crimea River

Map courtesy of Wikipedia

Russian troops are in Crimea; they'll be staying there.

We're imposing sanctions on them.  Putin doesn't care.

He will sign their annexation later on today.

Ukraine's lost Crimea now, no matter what we say.

Native Russian speakers voted overwhelmingly,

In a referendum that was neither fair nor free,

They'd prefer to join with Russia - splitting from Ukraine.

Putin said that's fine with him; their loss is Russia's gain.

I don't think that's true; the sanctions haven't bitten yet,

Plus Crimea's very poor and is in massive debt.

Putin may feel cocky now but might, yet, be surprised;

This move could prove costlier than he has realized. 

Putin's Jedi Mind Tricks

Putin met with reporters to answer questions about Russian involvement in Ukraine.

Putin answered questions he'd collected on a list

And, though this is not a quote, what follows is the gist:

Troops in Russian uniforms, insignias torn off?

"Those are not the droids you're looking for."  We Russians scoff.

Clearly the Americans and NATO are at fault;

Caused these wounds between our countries, now they're adding salt.

Those are not our soldiers planting mine-fields in Ukraine.

'though we should invade, we didn't... That would be insane.

Tanks throughout Crimea and in cities farther East?

Russian speakers asked for help, and so we felt the least

That a caring, parent country is obliged to do

Is protect those people from the Fascists.  Wouldn't you?

Do not fall for Jedi mind tricks; Putin's not a knight.

True, he acts mediaeval and he's daring us to fight,

But he is delusional.  I think he finds this fun,

And there's nothing chivalrous in anything he's done.

President Obama - Is Too Good Not Good Enough?

(Courtesy of pinterest.com)

I support the President; I voted for him - twice.

He is very smart and not in need of my advice.

But I've started worrying, with all that's in the news,

If I'm being too dismissive of the Right Wing's views.

Not about Obama Care, despite the current mess.

'though it needs some tinkering, it will be a success.

Not on the economy, which didn't crash and burn

(Even though the job growth rate is slower to return.)

Seems to me, domestically, he's doing all he can

Given that Republicans will not work with the man.

It's the other problem - with his image overseas.

Countries aren't afraid of him and, thus, do as they please.

Not as if he'll go to war 'cause, once a war begins,

People start to die and, in the end, nobody wins.

Unmanned drones cut down on that so using them is smart

Even if our foes believe they prove we lack the heart.

Putin's seized Crimea and the Syrians are slow

Handing in their chemicals to us because they know:
 President Obama is too rational to fight,

Drones don't pose the kind of threat that keeps them up at night.

When you win the Nobel Prize for Peace you're kinda stuck.

If no one's afraid of you they tend to push their luck.

So, Republicans believe a cowboy's what we need.

Do they have a point?  Can someone be too good to lead?

Kiss Crimea Good-bye

Situation in Ukraine is getting out of hand;

Ethnic Russians in the East have started to demand

That Kiev should look to Russia over the E.U.

Putin sent in Russian troops to help enforce that view.

All of Russia's Black Sea fleet is anchored in Ukraine;

Port was part of Russia, once, and so it might remain.

Residents are demonstrating; flying Russian flags.

Tearing down and ripping the Ukrainian's to rags.

Putin says his troops have only come to keep the peace.

So, he keeps on sending more as tensions there increase.

I don't think that I'd feel safe with soldiers in the street,

Knowing Russia's never gonna move its Black Sea fleet.

Not a lot Ukraine can do if Putin wants a fight.

He's a strong believer in the adage; "Might makes right."

Ask the folks in Georgia how much safer they feel now

8 years after Putin's troops invaded...  Yet, somehow,

All those Russian troops in Georgia didn't end the threat...

Surely that's the reason why they've not withdrawn them yet.

So, I wouldn't be surprised if Putin finds that he

Thinks Crimea faces threats in perpetuity.