I'm getting a little tired of the hand wringing over Bidens call for the end of Putins rule/war.

[Augiedog]

Putin IS a war criminal. He IS an oligarch, the definition of which basically is someone who acquired their wealth through immoral means. Putin IS threatening to use nuclear weapons in not only against Ukraine but as a method of intimidation against the west.

These are the behaviors of not only a war criminal, but a human like monster. He wears a jacket and tie, probably wing tip shoes (not sure of that). He actually has a daughter. Can you even begin to imagine what she must be thinking? What self respecting women would marry this monster and allow it to reproduce?

Putin may be president of Russia but he is not THE REGIME. That is all of them, the leaders, together. Putin is disposable and deposable. It is not the Russian people. I don’t believe for a second that given an informed choice they would select a movie theatre filled with children as a target for rockets and bombs.

President Biden is quite correct in saying that Putin must not remain in power. Just because Putin would be gone from the levers of power doesn’t mean the end of Russia. We, here in the good old U.S.A. change “regimes” every few years, and until recently it has been less than some sort of drama. One of americas greatest strengths is its refreshening of the political structure every four or eight years. The political contest awakens the ideas and intellectual contests that define strength. Dictatorial, tyrannical, oppressors of any ilk choke off their own futures and that of their people.

End the hand wringing, step up to the plate and smack war criminals like they have earned. Putin CHOSE to kill children. He CHOSE to kill woman. He CHOSE to kill the defenseless, the elderly, the ill.

Putins threats to use nuclear weapons are the audible exhalations of a scared bully. Everyone knows Russia has “nukes”. There is no rational to threaten their use unless fear is the motive.
Send Putin to the old folks home, with bars on the windows and a feeding slot for the attendants to slide a food tray through.

Do it this day.

[SheilaAnn]

1. Totally agree, Putin out of the picture is the only way, thanks for what had to be said. n/t

[Hortensis]

2. Phony RW/Russian "hang wringing" aka typical agitprop. nt

[dchill]

27. "Phony RW/Russian..." Synonym for MSM?

It would seem.

[Hortensis]

30. We're in a critical election season. RW-electing is the "synonym."

Plus, of course, there are real issues of whether Putin's power might be in danger to discuss.

[Irish_Dem]

3. I agree 100%. Time to come from a position of power, not fear.

Time to speak the truth to Putin.

[SWBTATTReg]

4. And of course, where are the no-show republicans? Probably mad that their Russian payoffs are

late/not being made w/ all of the sanctions in place. Wouldn't be one bit surprised. Wonder if there is a regularly posted 'campaign cash on hand' statements issued on a month to month or quarterly basis. It would be interested to see what accounts had reduced balances due to lower donations coming in (no Russian 'dark' money coming in), etc. among all of the republicans out there. I think people would be surprised at just how much is out there, 'dark' untraceable money on the republican side of the fence.

[gab13by13]

25. Every member of the Putin Party (GOP) supports Russia,

Every member of the Putin Party accepts Putin puppet Donald Trump as their leader as confirmed by the straw poll at CPAC.

Just because members of the Putin Party are now claiming to support Ukraine is a fucking lie. They are claiming to support Ukraine because their internal polling told them to do so. Every member of the Putin party would be happy to see Russia take over Ukraine.

Until members of the Putin Party denounce Putin puppet Donald Trump, every one is complicit.

[MiHale]

5. Agreed every word...nt

[Traildogbob]

6. Great post

Totally agree. Did anyone grab their pearls if Saddam was called a bad name? Putin is a sick murderous prick. Fleecing the country of near 800 billion for salary. And we have around 30 percent, all repubs, that love his style. I got lots of adjectives to call the little asshole and his American cult.

[McKim]

43. Then there were the war crimes...

Then there were the war crimes of the Bush Administration. We invaded a sovereign country and destroyed it and, according to The Lancet, a million Iraqis are dead because of it. So when Blinken said that the US cannot tolerate this in Ukraine, these other countries were rolling their eyes. No I am not a Russian troll, just want more understanding. I abhor what Putin did and is doing to our world, but we have done the same. We need to turn and become a peaceful nation and world. Some are building an international Peace organization as we speak. We can't let this medieval warfare with new technology continue!

[Traildogbob]

53. No argument here

Vietnam was going on when I “joined”. Not out of patriotism, just needed to get off the dead end road, so I took a chance of surviving and get some college after. Only in America, gamble your life and limbs to afford an education. We have done plenty of criminal activity in the name of God and country. What we continue to do to native Americans is appalling. And to Black lives. But, for once maybe our 850 billion a year military could do some good, and do all we can to end Putin and his cult. Even those members here in our government and on Propaganda media.
No, I am not waving the flag and standing on a soap box while condemning Putin, the entire planet in on the brink with that Russian white/right wing lunitic.
And only after we clean up the shit in our government, media and 35 percent of their infiltrated cult brain dead domestic terrorists, will this veteran stand, salute or recite patriotic verses as a so called American Patriot.
Regime change is critically important in this GQP.

[snowybirdie]

7. I have a feeling

That was a warning shot to Putin. The backing off statement was Biden's chess move.

[sop]

20. Exactly.

[wnylib]

35. Agree.

[KPN]

38. Yup. My sense exactly.

[Pinback]

47. Agree. It also reminds me

of the way a lawyer may make a statement in court that’s over-ruled but remains in the jury’s mind.

[calimary]

8. "Putin is disposable and deposable" - GOOD one!

I really like that!!!

[JesterCS]

9. I agree 100%, he needs to go

one way or another

[Jetheels]

10. How would that happen, and who is going to send Putin to this old folks home?

Russia is supported or at least not being sanctioned by; China, India, Mexico, Brazil, Israel, United Arab Emirates.
The US cannot even seem to bring justice to the crimes of former guy.

[Lonestarblue]

22. I believe the lack of any apparent legal actions against Trump made Putin believe that we are weak.

I’ve read in several articles that Putin closely studied the reactions to the January 6 insurrection. A nation whose legal system allows perpetrators of a crime as serious as trying to overturn an election and install an illegal president not only appears weak to other countries but is in reality weak in that area. Putin and his Republican sycophants obviously underestimated Biden, but the refusals to cooperate with the January 6 Committee and the so-far refusal of the DOJ to do anything about the Committee’s criminal referrals for anyone but Bannon may be interpreted as a sign of legal weakness. Putin gained power in part by buying off Russia’s legal system, allowing him to become president for life, which strengthened his hand but weakened the country.

I still hope the DOJ will investigate and prosecute the leaders and funders of the insurrection because not doing so seriously undermines our laws. No accountability for anyone but the foot soldiers carrying out their orders just encourages more of the same.

[gab13by13]

33. Bold post,

We have a weak DOJ that has not prosecuted the coup plotters, a DOJ's civil rights division that has not challenged hardly any corrupt voter/election laws.

We have an FBI director who is a member of the Federalist Society which is the main advocate for autocracy.

We have a Supreme Court which just overruled a Wisconsin SC decision to create an additional black voting district.
We have a member of the SC who is pals with the lawyer who drew up the blueprint for a coup to overturn our election.

Day 102 since the select committee gave DOJ the Mark Meadow's criminal referral
Day 74 since the Michigan AG gave the fake elector criminal referral to DOJ.

Day, I don't know what, since the National Archives gave the criminal referral to DOJ for the stolen, eaten, flushed, burned, missing, confidential documents, some of which had the highest level of confidentiality. Has DOJ found all of the missing documents yet? Maybe it should look in Russia?

[KPN]

40. Wow! 102 days since Meadows criminal referral?

I did not realize that much time had passed. What the hell is DOJ doing? Wtf is Garland doing? Perhaps it’s time for Joe to ask him for action or his resignation. Geezuz. Democracy and a free America are under assault by the GQP. There was an attempted coup and an election coming up where there will undoubtedly be another if voter suppression isn’t sufficient to do the job for them. There’s no time to dilly dally!

[KPN]

42. THIS ... and we will assuredly get more of the same.

[McKim]

45. Threats to Human Rights Anywhere are....

Yes, threats to human aight anywhere are threats to human rights everywhere! Hitler famously said at a planning meeting of his leaders when the final solution was presented, "Who cared about the Armenians!". When the world did not push back against the Armenian Genocide, it gave Hitler a green light, or so they thought!

So the rule of law here in the US needs to be upheld and those architects of Jan. 6th need to be tried and prosecuted. Democracy is at stake.

[paleotn]

41. Perhaps Biden is speaking to those inside the Russian government.

and on that level, replacement is not all that hard, if you have a significant number of powerful people, plus the military behind you. I doubt seriously if the Russian military is very happy with the little fella at this point.

Mexico is an important trading partner for Russia. Who knew?

[Jetheels]

56. Not only has Mexico declared they are not imposing any sanctions on Russia for invading

Ukraine, Lopez Obrador doesn’t even believe media from Russia is censored.


https://www.reuters.com/world/mexicos-president-says-will-not-take-any-economic-sanctions-against-russia-2022-03-01/

And Russia produces oil in Mexico, who knew?

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russias-lukoil-completes-purchase-stake-offshore-oil-project-mexico-2022-02-25/

[paleotn]

57. Wrong side of history. The Lukoil deal is kind of a joke at this point given.....

that Russia is running low on jet fuel. Korean Air had to cancel flights through Moscow since they can't get refueled there.

https://www.businessinsider.com/Korean%20Air%20says%20it%20can't%20refuel%20in%20Moscow,%20canceling%20flights-2022-3

They weren't banned from the airspace since South Korea isn't YET taking a hard line like the US and EU nations. They just can't get gas. And it's not like the Russians are rationing jet fuel for their oversized air war. DoD estimates the Russians are only flying roughly 300 of less sorties per day.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/03/22/ukraine-russia-air-force/

A pittance in a war this big, where air superiority is absolutely crucial. Seems Russia is an big oil exporter, but don't refine much themselves. Weird, but hey! That's Russia.

[HUAJIAO]

11. "Do it this day." Who?

[BlackSkimmer]

16. My question also.

[AngryOldDem]

12. We need to stop accomodating Putin.

Because when we walk back the truth, that is EXACTLY what we are doing.

We are giving him the absolute green light to continue encroaching on any territory he chooses to take.

This “what he meant was” or “he didn’t mean that” nonsense makes us look weak and indecisive, and plays EXACTLY into Putin’s hands.

Framing everything within the context of “what he might do” leads to paralysis, and makes us as much of his hostages as Ukraine and all the independent states around Ukraine are.

[wnylib]

37. Regardless of anything said after

Biden's remark, his message was delivered to and received by the right audience - Putin, his inner circle, and the Russian people. They are the ones who can do something.

The "walk back" was for the sake of diplomacy, to let our allies know that we are not commiting them to an attack on Russia.

Remember, Putin has already used Russian operatives to bring his desired result in one US election and to attempt to overthrow another one. Stating publicly that Putin should no longer stay in power is tit for tat shade.

[KPN]

46. THIS too!

[ananda]

13. I have no issue with it whatsoever.

Are people crazy?

They want perpetual war and killing of innocents?

I do despair.

[maxrandb]

14. This is the most perfect example of "bothsiderism" in the history of journalism

Why do we know the media sucks?

If those folks ran newsrooms in 1939, they would complain that FDR should see things from Hitler's perspective.

[Blues Heron]

26. like Joe Strummer said in his song

"if Adolph HITLER flew in today - they'd send a limousine anyway..."

(song is White Man in Hammersmith Palais)

[muriel_volestrangler]

31. They're taking their lead from Blinken and the State Department

Biden's aides quickly tried to quickly walk it back, insisting the president was not promoting regime change when he spoke to a packed courtyard in the Royal Castle in Warsaw Saturday.

"I think the president, the White House, made the point last night that, quite simply, President Putin cannot be empowered to wage war or engage in aggression against Ukraine or anyone else," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said hours later in Jerusalem.

"As you know, and as you have heard us say repeatedly, we do not have a strategy of regime change in Russia or anywhere else, for that matter,” he said.

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/03/26/biden-putin-cannot-remain-power/7181665001/

That's where the primary blame is; the media could be calling Blinken out more, I suppose.

[KPN]

48. and THIS!

[Joinfortmill]

15. Amen

[PatrickforB]

17. I thought Biden handled himself quite well in Europe, THIS speech included.

As you say, Putin is a war criminal and I believe he likely won't be able to stay in power much longer.

The people I worry about most, though, are the Ukrainians that were simply going about their business when this disgusting oligarchic sociopath invaded their country and upset everything. I mean, all over the world, people get up, go to work, and try their best to support their families, and most just want to be left alone to do that. And here comes Putin with hundreds of thousands of invading troops, killing, bombing.

For what? Why?

War criminal. Must not stay in power.

[doc03]

18. Putin has threatened the world with Nuclear weapons numerous times and Biden

gets attacked for telling it like it is about Putin. Biden should say I said it and I meant it
Putin needs removed one way or the other.

[KPN]

49. Great point. I agree.

[NHvet]

19. Hear Hear!

Agree wholeheartedly with you my friend. Diplomacy sometimes requires one to carry a big stick and say what needs to be said even if hurts some others delicate feelings of decorum. I didn't see/hear Mr Biden saying anything that isn't obvious to anyone. At least our president isn't kowtowing to him and carrying his water like that last guy.

[Cheezoholic]

21. Double Amen

Especially if putrid goes down and Russia becomes another member of the democracies of the world, no matter how dysfunctional we all are. That would be a worldwide social earthquake on par with the demise of monarchies

[kentuck]

23. The media is running with this story today.

Predictably.

Everything is not black and white, especially in times of war.

[BlueIdaho]

39. The M$M is so desperate to find something

Bad to say about our president they are condemning him for saying the bloody obvious.

[McKim]

51. Yes, It is Tiresome and Dangerous

Yes'm the constant drumbeat of negativity about Biden and our party is not founded in facts and is dangerous to our democracy. Biden has done an admirable job against the tide of negativity of the press and the constant attacks from the neanderthal GOP.

[sop]

44. Hey, it was only "legitimate political discourse."

[BlueJac]

24. Absolutely!

[sop]

28. Funny how those who are horrified Biden called for the end of Putin's rule don't see anything

wrong when Trump goes around the country yelling about overthrowing a democratically elected president.

[Blues Heron]

29. What's that phrase - "tis the struck pig squeals" or something?

[barbtries]

32. the entire world

should be screaming for that megalomaniac's head! The second he's gone, the better off the entire planet is. I am sorry that the WH is walking it back. It's correct.

[Tarc]

34. Joe is promoting the idea that the Russians have to deal with their crazy leader

The wingnuts are trying to spin this into some neocon wet dream of exporting democracy to the world. The President never said anything of the sort.

[Wingus Dingus]

36. He shouldn't have said it.

It's not his job to say what we're all thinking. It doesn't matter if anyone thinks it's true. Presidential rhetoric, especially in moments like these, has to be carefully measured and not ad-libbed. White House has explained it away, so problem dealt with.

[KPN]

50. I disagree. I think his rhetoric was, in fact,

carefully measured. I think it was a message to the Russian people, military and oligarchs - and will have its intended effect, and rightfully so. It was “a big stick” and Russians already know the “carrot”.

[Wingus Dingus]

52. No, it was a flub. There was no agenda there. His staff wasn't prepared for it.

Should have just stuck to the very carefully prepared script.

[KPN]

54. I disagree -- Joe Biden knew exactly what he was saying and why. Maybe his

handlers didn’t expect or like it and obviously the MSM and GQP are jumping all over it like a pride of lions on raw meat, but Joe was savvy and right. I’m with him 100%.

[David__77]

55. The US is not committed to regime change.

It has shown this in its actions. I think Biden’s words were aspirational and needn’t cause uproar.