Cartoon: Mark Streeter

….Putin reads the tea leaves and makes moves he believes he can use to his advantage. That’s what we should expect from modern Tsars.  He knows that the game is encirclement and acts to prevent that with all means at his disposal.  In political and foreign policy, one learns to “shoot craps” and bluster one’s way.  One also learns that there are times when bluster and bullying and manipulating are fine tools to be used, as is cooperating when it seems advantageous to do so. Now many brave Ukrainians could die and be hurt as Putin invades, puts his puppet back in power and crushes the opposition.  I would hope that many manage to get out – they should go and stay in the homes of the US Neo-Cons for all that they instigated them to do. Klitshki should be on a plane out. (Jerrold Atlas, Psychohistorian)