Bad, Bad Vlad

Leroy Brown was bad so no one messed around with him.

Meaner than a junk-yard dog...  'though, meaner still was Jim.

Jim looks like a pussycat, however, when compared

To the Russian President.  Heck, even Big Jim's scared.

Putin's not a man the opposition wants to cross,

As their leader, Boris Nemtsov, learned - to his great loss.

Murdered by the Kremlin's wall; they shot him in the back.

Cameras weren't working at the site of the attack.

No one knows who pulled the trigger but the point is clear;

Russian opposition leaders have good cause to fear.

Do not spit into the wind or tug on Putin's cape...

Not unless they've also started planning their escape.

Putin's Fairytales

 

Secretary Kerry's on a visit to Ukraine

Where he'll be a welcome guest when he gets off his plane,

Since Kiev is hoping that he'll promise lethal aid;

Weapons meant to counter recent gains that rebels made.

Eastern Ukraine's rebel forces, armed with Russian guns,

Plus an unknown number of poor Mother Russia's sons,

Started bombing towns - anticipating an attack -

Pushing forward in the knowledge Putin has their back.

Now that he controls what Russian media dares say,

Putin won't let little things like truth get in the way.

He's convinced his population that it's worth the pain

Sanctions are inflicting 'cause they're "rescuing" Ukraine.

Putin says that Russian aid is sent to help the poor;

That the big, bad West is slavering at Russia's door.

This time though, when Kerry's in the Russian news tonight

Putin's story that we're intervening might be right.

The Problem With Putin

 

Russia's ruble's plummeting because of cheaper oil.

Tensions there are simmering and could come to a boil

As we tighten sanctions further, turning up the heat,

Hoping Russia changes course; that they'll admit defeat.

Problem, as I see it, is that Putin's still in charge

And his cult of personality's grown rather large.

Thanks to Russian media, which Putin now controls,

Most of Russia stands by him, according to the polls.

NATO says that Putin's getting bolder by the day;

Economic sanctions don't appear to hold much sway.

Those may work on other countries and their leaders, but

I've begun to worry Putin really is a nut.

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.

Vlad the Great?

(Portrait/Courtesy of thefederalist-gary.blogspot.com)

Putin and his cronies are attempting to suppress

Journalists in Russia who must toe the line unless

They would like a visit from some functionary who

Makes sure that the day they crossed the line is one they'll rue.

Visa violations; someone mugged the BBC...

Not so subtle clues that Russian media's not free.

If a visitor's harassed, imagine what it's like

Living in the shadow of a looming Putin Reich.

So much for the freedoms that the Russian people gained.

Not since in the days when Tzars (or Joseph Stalin) reigned

Has there been a press less free and fearful of the State,

Forced to sing the praises of their leader - Vlad the Great.

The Putin Doctrine

(Photo/Courtesy of dailymail.co.uk)

Putin is preparing to invade Eastern Ukraine;

Calculating sanctions will be worth the land he'll gain.

Europe doesn't want the Russians cutting off their gas,

Making more effective sanctions difficult to pass.

John McCain believes Obama should send lethal aid;

Which, I fear, could be the worst mistake we've ever made.

That would only give Kiev false hope we'd joined their fight

And they could depend upon our military's might.

That's not gonna happen... Plus, our sending weapons there,

Still won't change the outcome.  It's a fight that's hardly fair.

Most of Russia sides with Putin...  Russia's pretty big;

Meaning Putin wields a club while Kiev waves a twig.

Short of using NATO forces, Putin's gonna win.

NATO doesn't want a war and won't send forces in.

Any lethal aid we sent could only make things worse;

Putin's actions aren't the kind our weapons would reverse.

Russian FOX News

In a propaganda war it's hard to know what's true.

Both sides may be lying...  We know Putin's told a few.

Russian news claims Nazi sympathizers rule Ukraine,

Backed by U.S. Special Forces.  Clearly, that's insane.

Russians must believe it though 'cause many of them call

For new annexations in Ukraine...  Don't want it all.

Just the eastern bits (the part with mines and rich farmland)

And, if we don't like it, we are welcome to pound sand.

Russians seem to think their country's only lending aid,

Unaware that protestors on city streets got paid.

It's as if they're trying to form rational world views

When their only source of information's like FOX News.

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.

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.

Sochi - Modern Day Bread and Circuses

Oohhh!  Look at all the pretty balloons at the Opening Ceremonies in Sochi. (Photo/Courtesy of NBC)

So much in the world is tragic - war, disease, and death.

Nations call for changes but I wouldn't hold my breath.

U.N. Human Rights Commission published new reports;

No-one paid attention 'cause we're focusing on sports.

Russia's at the center of the issues of the day,

But it's not just Winter Games that Putin likes to play.

Syria and North Korea count him as a friend.

Without his agreement, neither travesty will end.

Fireworks and "bread and circuses" - like ancient Rome,

Counting all the medals our Olympians bring home -

Easily distracted, we're ignoring basic facts;

Putin is supporting men engaged in criminal acts.

I don't blame the Russian people...  Them, I think I'd like.

I just wish they'd help us tell Assad to take a hike.

As for North Korea (if the Chinese aren't involved)

Send Kim Jong-un Dennis Rodman's drug stash...  Problem solved.

(Graphic/Courtesy of Owned.com)

Across the Pond - Syria and the Russians

Putin and Ahmadinejad must be so proud.

 

Really wish that I'd been wrong but, sadly, I was not

Yet another battle against babies has been fought.

Youngest victim - 3 months old - they stabbed him through the head.

Assad will not stop 'til every rebel Sunni's dead.

I cannot believe the Russian people are aware

Of what Assad's doing with their weapons or they'd share

In the world's revulsion...  Then they'd back a U.N. vote.

Russian people I have met would not sell him a coat...

Never mind the systems that the Syrians just bought.

All I can imagine is that Putin plain forgot

Russia's a democracy and citizens won't stand

For supporting monsters who have gotten out of hand.