Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Let me get this straight, Russia invades the Ukraine and Obama has Biden make a few calls to a bellman at some Russian hotel to express his outrage as he Obama goes out to toast the democrat party at a "Happy Hour"!

Why doesn't Obama call Putin himself? Simple, because Putin knows that Obama has no nalgas, Putin is carrying Obama's nalgas around in his pocket.

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

If Obama really gets PO'd maybe he'll wag his finger at Putin.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

At this point it's not really clear if there has been an actual "invasion". Certainly some strong arm posturing, but hopefully that will be as far as it will go. It is also unclear as to the true identity of the troops involved, with speculation that they are local paramilitary, contracted mercenaries, members of the recently ousted Berkut, or actual Russian military personnel. The Russian Minister, as expected, denies Russian troop involvement, but has stated that in the context of recent developments the Russian military is taking steps to "protect" personnel of the Black Sea Fleet based at Crimea. Things are obviously tense.

Given a tense situation, and no confirmation of actual violent invasion, it is not the least bit surprising that Obama and Putin are not speaking to each other publicly. This is the point where the head leaders address each other "indirectly". Publicly, both are making statements, but neither will escalate the situation by direct challenge. At this point the direct conversations are between their "proxies", Kerry for Obama and the Russian Minister for Putin.

Could be an interesting weekend.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Last reports that I saw were they were flying in attack helicopters and had transported some 2000 troops in which are suspected to be Russian special forces... We know that Putin has put 150,000 troops on the border practicing a surprise "War Game".

Why is Biden handling this situation? What is wrong with our president?

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

So, let's get this straight, somebody knows that there has been no communication between Obama and Putin. Was this part of the FOI effort. Lot of factual info here. Maybe we can put a liberal or conservative spin on this. Heaven forbid.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Yes, Obama said in his presser that Biden has been on the phone with the Russians.... He did not mention that he was in communication with Putin or the Russian ambassador or anyone else for that matter, 45 minutes later he was across town at a Happy Hour.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

I've heard those same reports, but so far confirmation is a bit murky. As I posted above there is still speculation as to exactly who is involved. Guess we all need to stay tuned.

I don't believe Biden is handling this. At this point it is clear that any direct talking is between Obama and Putin's proxies, Sec. Of State Kerry and the Russian Minister, with Kerry reporting:

“We raised the issue of the airports, raised the issue of armored vehicles, raised the issue of personnel in various places,” Kerry said. “And while we were told that they are not engaging in any violation of the sovereignty and do not intend to, I nevertheless made it clear that that could be misinterpreted at this moment, and that there are enough tensions that it is important for everybody to be extremely careful not to inflame the situation and not to send the wrong messages.”

At this point, Obama and Putin may very well have had some direct conversation, but if so, it would be surprising to me for the conversation to be made public by either side. Neither will risk be perceived as "challenging" the other publicly and having the tension escalate.. No, I believe any hardball conversations will be between Kerry and Lavrov behind closed doors at this point.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I'm sure that Obama publishes his every move and conversation so we can all weigh in on his decisions. We are all qualified and should know all of the strategies and at the very least give us the latitude to call him a liar if we find out he deviated from what he told us. While I certainly don't enjoy being blindly led, I can appreciate that some decisions can't be public knowledge. If I'm playing chess, I don't want to discuss my strategy with my opponent. Just a thought.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I agree, and I apologize for repeating you sentiments, but often people are quick to be critical in their quick assessments that are often politically tainted.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Yes, of course it is politically tainted, I have no confidence in this president to tie his own shoe laces, as far as I can tell that is just one more of the 6 million jobs he has created during his tenure.

Early on in this escalation he made more idle threats speaking of a cost that Russia would pay if they made the wrong decision here.... The fact is that there is little that the president can do about it and he has already lost all credibility with Putin and many other world leaders.... Like I said, it was Biden on the phone and not the president... I am just laughing as I recall how he rebuffed Romney when Romney suggested that Russia was our largest Geopolitical threat in the world, it would seem that after Putin has helped to keep Assad in power, and handed the keys to a nuclear bomb to Iran, and now has invaded the Ukraine.... that old Romney was absolutely correct and the president has remained clueless to the Russian threat....

Anyway, just keep hoping for the best... Putin will do what he wants and Obama and the US will remain only an after thought to be laughed at after it is all over.

pbearperry Loc: Massachusetts

And why should we give a rats tush?

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Well that will be the debate for 2016 will it not, not so sure what Hillary will have to say, but on the republican side you will have Cruz saying that we must reestablish our dominance, and Rand Paul saying it really is none of our business as it does not effect us domestically.

venturer9 Loc: Newton, Il.

Being forced again today... LOL to listen to MSNBC or CNN I heard on MSNBC the slight built fellow with the Horn Rim Glasses say (paraphrase) At this time, the WH has said that they have not contacted Putin about the Situation in the Ukraine.

DaveO.... you actually same some interesting things from time to time... BUT since you appear intelligent, YOU KNOW in your Heart of Hearts that Obama has not and probably will not Personally have anything to do with the situation...Uncle Joe will be left to deal with it and therefore be blamed if things go wrong..

Mike

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Biden has been talking with the Ukrainians. Kerry is talking to the Russians.

The White House just "floated" the suggestion that they may have to consider not attending the upcoming G8 summit (really our only true leverage in the matter). Hard to judge at the moment, but this could give Putin some pause if the UK, Germany, France, and Italy were to voice agreement. (I'd suspect that comments will follow in the next week, maybe by White House press secretary, that "unless the current situation improves, the US will be forced to open discussions with our European allies concerning economic sanctions against Russia." ). Putin needs to maintain a working economic relationship with the G8. He is going to have to decide if risking that for the opportunity to try to destabilize the Ukraine in order to grab up a few territories is worth it.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Kind of a bad place. Really precarious to threaten action and possibly worse to ignore. Too many stood by and watched Germany in the 30's......what to do??