What can the U.S. do about Putin?

[dArKeR]

The need to secure Russia’s help in the “war on terrorism” has softened the focus on events inside America’s one-time nemesis. In exchange for military and geo-political favors, the U.S. abandoned what little moral leverage it had over the behavior of post-Soviet residents of the Kremlin on issues like fair elections, a free media or the treatment of minorities. Now, with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin having jailed his main political rival for alleged economic misdeeds, what constructive role can the United States play in arresting a slide toward authoritarianism that could have awful consequences?

THE MOVE that briefly put Moscow datelines back on the front pages of newspapers the world over occurred more than a week ago: the jailing of Russia’s most powerful industrialist, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, at the time chairman of the gigantic energy conglomerate Yukos .
Like so many important developments in the past year — the faltering hunt for al-Qaida, the faltering trans-Atlantic relationship, the disintegrating Israeli-Palestinian relationship, the increasing indebtedness of the United States — news of events in Russia these days is overwhelmed by coverage of the staggering challenge the Bush administration has created for itself (and the country) in Iraq.

http://msnbc.com/news/989643.asp?0cv=CB20

Because of the Bush Crime Family 'terrorism' policy, the entire world is murdering activists who have legitimate issues against Corrupt Governments. PI, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Colubmia, Spain, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Chechnya, Mongolia, Tibet, Myanmar, Pakistan, Afghanistan...

What a Foregin Policy mess Bush has made of the world!

I'm a sure the Bush Crime Family is the most evil group that has ever seized power on Earth.

I'm sure the American Media CEO/Board Members/Major Stock Holders are a part of this conspiracy.

Putin shut down all the independent TV stations in Russia. Why don't you see any uproar in the Whore Media about this?

[BlackVelvetElvis]

1. We won't do anything

The Russians want oil as well-Chechnya. They want control of the pipeline from the Caspian Sea and it's incredible oil cache. How convienently we can look the other way and I guarantee we (meaning BushCo) will.
The US government always gets into bed with dictators, etc. when we want something from them. That history is what I'm basing this scenario on. At least not until we get someone with true moral clarity in office.
This could get very scary since this administration flies by the seat of it's pants.

[leesa]

13. Bush is more of a dictator than Putin is

He put a guy in jail who pulled an Enron, which is more than Bush did when Enron stole millions from THEIR investors and helped steal 9 billion dollars from California. I applaud Putin for doing what Bush OUGHT to have done, if he weren't in bed with the energy barons and the Saudi terrorists.

[toltalitarian]

14. WHY WE NEED RUSSIA

ONE WE NEED MORE OIL FOR OUR GAS HOG SUVs THAT GET 2 GALLONS TO THE MILE ASWELL AS YOUR BELOVED JAPANESE CIGARETT BOXES. THAT RUSSIA OFFERS THE POSSIBLITY OF THE USA TO TELL THE MIDDLE EAST TO GO KISS OFF. RUSSIA MAY HAVE THE LARGEST OIL SUPPLY IN THE WORLD UN TAPPED SO THAT WE CAN NOW SCREW UP AN ENVIROMENT THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO CLEAN UP AND LET SOME ONE ELSE FOOT THE BILL. hEY i'D LOVE TO SEE $1.10 GAS PRICES AGAIN. PLUS ITS GOING TO BOOST OUR ECONOMY DUE TO CATAPILLAR AND MERCEDES BENZ HAVE GOINED FORCES TO CREATE THE MOST DURABLE MACHINERY ABLE TO SURVIVE THE HELLISH CONDITIONS OF THE SIBERIAN WASTELAND. SO NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE AN INVESTED INTEREST IN THIS OPENING OF A NEW OIL FIELD, BUT THE EUROPEAN THEATRE DOES ASWELL SO LET THE COMMIES RUN THERE COUNTRY ASLONG AS WE GET WHAT WE WANT, WHO CARES. I WOULD THINK THAT SINCE THE DEMOCRATES SHARE OUR VIEWS ON JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT THEY WOULDN'T MIND WHAT THE NEW USSR IS PLANNING. CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT DEMOCRATES AND THE COMMIES WANT TO PERSERVE THE UNSPOILED WASTELAND.

SINSERLY,
THE CAPITALIST PIG
PRESIDENT(04) GEORGE W. BUSH

[newyawker99]

17. Hi toltalitarian!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Copperred]

2. Joke is on us...Bush too...

In ur list of corrupt goverments don't forget Pakistan next time please....that country needs to be freed.

In the end, what this is all doing is turning the entire world against us with even Europe and Australia passing on our defense. The simple solution is to support freedom whereever it lay....that's it...simple solution.

The war on terror is a sham 100%, it is an exact replica of the war on drugs, a sham. If we are unable to support true revolunationary freedom movements and ideas in other countries we best keep our hands out of their business cuz it will perpetually keep biting us back and rightfully so.

Fact is, Bush is not an American by any true standard....and really who is anymore? You? Me? I would think George Washington would ask us to prove it.

The joke is on us.... and probably going to stay this way for a long time to come....get used to it o great "America". For the rich who can hide...they will be fine.

[reprehensor]

3. You really have to wonder.

This is an informative site about Khodorkovsky.
http://www.engology.com/eng5khodorkovsky.htm

Apparently YUKOS was very interested in developing oil in the 'Stans'. I'll bet this had a LOT to do with his detention, and his outspoken political views were the nail in the coffin.

The irony of your post is that the US has already been involved with this situation, if you know what I mean...

[wabeewoman]

5. US has already been involved

Do you mean the visits by Bush Sr and others to Russia recently? Is this what it was about?

[legin]

8. Good link reprehensor

A good bit from it:

"At one of them Khodorkovsky bought YUKOS, the second biggest oil company in Russia, and the world's fourth, thus becoming a billionaire almost overnight. In oil reserves (11.4 billion barrels)YUKOS is close to British Petroleum (about 12 billion barrels). According to The Financial Times, the latter is worth $178 billion and holds 15th place among the world's biggest companies. Khodorkovsky bought 78 percent of YUKOS shares for $170 million."

------------------------------------
Basically the selling off Russia's assests for something between 0.1 - 1 % of their real value.

[legin]

10. Correction on that last bit

Having read more of the article it's roughly 5 -10 % of theeir real value.

[Character Assassin]

4. Take him bowling. He'd love that.

[DivinBreuvage]

6. Last spring Bush told General Tommy Franks:

"If I don't get the oil of Maykop and Grozny, then I must finish this war."

(on edit) My mistake, I'd confused Bush with the other fascist who got the Russian whup-ass for trying to get his hands on Caspian oil.

Françoise

[Classical_Liberal]

7. Why should we do anything about the arrest of Mikhail Khodorkovsky,

He is a Russian version of Ken Lay?

[lumpy]

20. It has been my understanding that American corporations

have an interest in YUKO. Wherein the Bushco outrage?

[KoKo]

9. Just remember, Chimp looked into Putin's eyes and saw his soul. He calls

him "Pooty Poot." He's entertained him at Camp David and at his Texas Pig Farm, but he at least hasn't mentioned they "use the same toothpaste" like he did with Blair.

Chimp and his buddies "rule the world." And remember "God speaks to the Chimp." That's how he could look into Putin's soul and see that he was his friend. :crazy:

[DivinBreuvage]

11. How it all worked out in the end

Bush (grabbing oil): "I looked the man in the eye. I was able to get a sense of his soul."

Putin: "My reply is coming over the North Pole."

Françoise

[Voltaire99]

12. What will the US do? If recent history is a guide...

...then fear of Russian authoritarianism will be met with a direct, appropriate response.

Say, an invasion of Venezuela.

[goforit]

15. If only we could arrest Lay ,Skilling and Bush for their misdeeds as well!

Hey Putin certainly is appearing the gentler one as compare to
the absolute power of Bush!

[mbperrin]

16. Damn right!

And if we would take care of some of the other money-grabbin' bastids the same way, they might go back to stealing by the truckload instead of the tanker load!

Maybe.

[9215]

18. Khordokovsky and Ken Lay

At least in Russia they jail the greedy fascist bastards.

[Mackay]

19. Bush can do two things:

1) JACK

2) SHIT

I'm guessing he will do it in the traditional order.

[jody]

21. "What can Russia do about AWOL?" eom