We begin with last night's Oscars. I, as is my wont, only watched a few minutes of the preening peacocks and all the excited discussion of what they were wearing and how fabulous they all looked. Thus, I missed Jennifer Lawrence's repeat pratfall ("She handled it so well.") and the introduction of Kim Novak. I could have sworn Novak was dead, but what do I know? I also could have sworn Steve McQueen was dead too.
" I don't think that's funny."
They say Kim looked pretty unsteady, but fortunately she didn't fall-unlike you-know-who. As it is, I will be sure and tune in next year to see if Jennifer does a three-peat.
Lawrence being helped to her feet by a friendly cop
"I don't think that's funny."
By the way, who was the master of ceremonies, anybody?
While the country had its attention focused on the Oscars, sly old Vladimir Putin took advantage of the situation to invade the Crimea. That leaves Obama wringing his hands and threatening to stop all further imports of Stoli while America's favorite frequent flyer, John Kerry, packs his bags for Kiev. Obama stayed behind today so he could twist Bibi Netanyaju's arm some more to make more concessions to the Palestinians-who make no concessions and refuse to recognize the notion of a Jewish state.
As for Russia, which claims it is acting to protect its Russian speaking population in Ukraine's eastern part and Crimea, it might be a good idea to recall some words from the last century:
“The German Reich will not tolerate persecution of Germans in this region because they belong to our country or because they hold certain opinions. There must be peace and order. I have therefore decided to help the millions of Germans in Austria with the resources of the Reich. Since this morning, soldiers of the German Wehrmacht have marched over the German-Austrian borders. The new National Socialist government in Vienna has itself summoned panzer troops, infantry divisions, and SS legions on the ground and the German Luftwaffe in the blue sky. Our soldiers guarantee that the Austrian people will shortly be given the opportunity to determine their future themselves and thereby their fate with a plebiscite."
-Adolf Hitler- March 1938
Sound familiar? Stand by for the Sudentenland aka Belarus, or who knows, maybe Poland if they "attack some Russian radio station" on their eastern border.
By the way, don't hold your breath for boycott, divest and sanctions against Russia protests to break out on American university campuses-or Canadian or European campuses for that matter. Those are reserved for Israel.
And when Kerry arrives in Kiev on Tuesday (at which point the Russians will probably be in Kharkiv), somebody better remind him where he is and what his mission is. He has so many crises on his plate, he may get them mixed up. Imagine Kerry stepping off the plane thinking he is in Tel Aviv and telling the new Ukrainian government they must make concessions-you know, land for peace. Then, when reminded he is in Kiev, not Tel Aviv, he will just repeat his demand for concessions (land for peace). Or he may demand that the Ukrainian government in Kiev stop gassing its own civilians.
Note to Kerry: Don't forget to bring back a couple of those black lacquer Russian eggs for Teresa. They'll look great on the bookcase next to your Nobel prize(s).
"We don't think that's funny."
And if I may close this with a prediction for next year's Oscars. Once again, Jennifer Lawrence will fall on her face.
This time she will be helped to her feet by friendly Russian cops.
"What are you wearing, Jennifer?"
I think its up to you to organize this BDS campaign Gary. You seem motivated.
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