Independence!

….Its been the emblematic slogan of the US since 1776!
Except, of course, during our civil war.

So now, Putin sez he will recognize the right to independence of separatist Ukranian provinces .

To me, this seems very difficult to argue with. It’s the will of the people, right?

Maybe, in connection with our own civil war, we had the right to mount the constitutional arguments Lincoln mustered (although ive encountered many people in the blogosphere who do not think so.)

But do we have any..right, call, whatever— to bomb in halfway across the world to prevent a couple Ukranian provinces from seceding?

i dont see it. Putin has the high ground, doesn’t he?

And can anybody help me with one more thing: we hear this is all because Putin doesnt want Ukraine in NATO.

well, theyre NOT in, at present, but were still making noises about defending them, right?so how much worse could it BE for Putin?

i really think this entire thing is a charade to distract from Ol Jo[k]e’s disastrous unpopularity.