This page has been archived and commenting is disabled.

Putin Strikes Back: Russia's Sanctions List Said To Include US Senators, High Ranking Administration Officials

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Ever since the theatrical announcement of asset freezes and other related sanctions of various Putin aides, Russian military and pro-Russia Ukrainian leaders earlier today by both the US president and the EU, the nagging question was when and how would Vladimir Vladimirovich retaliate, with tomorrow's Putin address to the joint session of Parliament seeming as a probable time and place. It now appears that Putin's personal retaliation has been leaked in advance, and according to the Daily Beast's Josh Rogin, it will involve an in kind response where various US senators and highly placed officials will be banned from visiting Russia, and likely also see their particular assets - if any- in Russian custody promptly frozen.

From the Beast:

U.S. senators, congressmen and top Obama administration officials are sure to be on Vladimir Putin’s sanctions list; a response to the Obama Administration’s announcement on Monday that 7 Russian officials and 4 Ukrainian officials would be barred from holding assets or traveling to the United States.

 

Putin is expected to release his retaliation list as early as Tuesday and while the final list is still being crafted, it will include top Obama administration officials and high profile U.S. senators, in an effort to roughly mirror the U.S. sanctions against Russian officials and lawmakers, according to diplomatic sources. At the top of the list in Congress is Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, who recently co-authored a resolution criticizing Russia’s invasion of Crimea.

 

Durbin’s inclusion on Putin’s list would mirror Obama’s naming of Valentina Matvienko, the head of the upper chamber of the Russian Duma. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell are not expected to be on the Russian sanctions list.

Another person who will most certainly appears on the list is perpetual war hawk, and the person who responded to Putin's own Syrian near-war Op-Ed, John McCain.

"You think I’m not going to be on it?” McCain said. “I would be honored to be on that list.” McCain said he would not be impacted financially by being subject to a visa ban and asset freeze in the Russian Federation. "I guess I’m going to have to try to withdraw my money from my secret account in St. Petersburg,” he joked.

His sentiment mirrors that of Putin aide Surkov who earlier claimed to "being proud to be on U.S. black list" according to Interfax. Paradoxically, it is rapidly becoming a badge of honor to be named on the opposing nation's sanctions list, which instead of hurting those politicians - and as McCain said he hardly has a St. Petersburg account - it will raise their status in the eyes of the general public.

Of course, if and when the sanctions expand to include various oligarchs and/or mega corporations on either side of the border, the fallout would be far more dramatic should Russian billionaire owners of New York City penthouses or Los Angeles mansions be forced to liquidate their holdings, or if E&P companies in Russia suddenly find their assets partially nationalized. It certainly wouldn't be the first time.

Who else.

Other names that could be on the Russian sanctions list, although not confirmed, include Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Bob Corker (R-TN), the leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who are leading the sanctions drive in the Senate, and Victoria Nuland, the Assistant Secretary of State for Europe, who has been heavily involved in working with the Ukrainian opposition that ousted the Yanokovich government.

Where it gets far more surreal is that the Beast reports that "one U.S. official who can rest easy is White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, who will not be on Putin’s sanctions list. It's been an ongoing rumor in administration circles that Carney is quietly lobbying to replace former Ambassador Mike McFaul as the next U.S. Ambassador to Moscow, who will also not be on the list." Well if the US really wants to accelerate WWIII, it would indeed be best served by sending Carney to Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok No. 8.

To be sure, the initial round of escalations achieves nothing besides merely antagonizing the two sides further. In this case the Beast is correct when it says that "the tit for tat sanctions are not likely to convince either side to back down from their position over the Russian invasion of Crimea, McCain said.“If we acquiesced to that, that would be a green light for him to go for Moldova, where there are also Russian troops,” said McCain. “That’s the problem with this appeasement policy.”

So what could next steps look like?

McCain is advocating for a series of more serious steps, which include the immediate arming of the Ukrainian military, which the administration has rejected for now, promising to help the Ukrainian military develop over the long term, rethinking U.S. approaches to Putin, and restarting U.S. missile defense projects in Eastern Europe.

 

There are signs that Putin is preparing a scenario ahead of a possible invasion of Eastern Ukraine, including sending Russian intelligence agents inside Ukraine to stir up unrest as a pretext for a possible expansion of the invasion.

 

“I’m not sure about Eastern Ukraine, but Putin has put everything in place for a de facto partition of Eastern Ukraine,” he said. “Will he do it? I don’t know. But I don’t think he can be discouraged from that by these limited actions by the United States… We must commit to the ultimate return of Crimea to Ukraine, just as we promised to the so called captive that they would eventually be free of Soviet domination.”

Short of the nuclear option, literally, which would be to plant more anti-ballistic missiles in NATO countries bordering the former USSR states, there is one almost as serious alternative:

“Our actions today demonstrate our firm commitment to holding those responsible accountable for undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said in a statement. “We are thoroughly prepared to take increasing and responsive steps that would impose further political and economic costs.  At the same time, we want to be clear that a path of de-escalation remains available to the Russians, should they choose to use it."

And just as likely is Russia willing to take steps which would result in the complete liquidation of its $130 or so billion in US Treasurys and announcing it would transact in all currencies but the dollar going forward. Up to and including gold of course.

One thing is certain: while the Crimea referendum's outcome was priced in well in advance, we are now in completely uncharted waters, and the only question is which side will push the other just that extra inch too far, forcing disproportionate retaliation. Because if one thing has been made clear by now, it is that a crash in foreigner-owned Russian stocks, and not to mention the S&P, will hurt Obama far more than his Russian opponent.

 

- advertisements -

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:23 | 4560630 RevRex
RevRex's picture

Menwhile,  errr meanwhile,

 

Meanwhile, Obama plays another 18 holes.......Reggie Love's hole, LANCE bASS' hole, Larry Sinclair's hole, Bobby Titcomb's hole, Kal Penn's hole.....

 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:27 | 4560657 drendebe10
drendebe10's picture

Of course, it's the fudge packer in chief....

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:41 | 4560727 RevRex
RevRex's picture

Note how the down arrowing cowards refute no facts!

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:02 | 4560810 Pure Evil
Pure Evil's picture

They're just upset cause they weren't included in the list.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:22 | 4560631 TideFighter
TideFighter's picture

Isn't the Chicago Bath House, Man's Country, owned by a Russian? SOmehow I don't think Russia has a Man's Country to close down. tit for tat, as it were 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:41 | 4560730 RafterManFMJ
RafterManFMJ's picture

If it is Russian owned then you can bet they have colored video of Bath House Barry in action.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:22 | 4560633 SpeakerFTD
SpeakerFTD's picture

Pretty weak sauce, Vlad.  The only Russian asset any senator cares about is platinum blonde upstairs and downstairs. Unless Russia has carbonite technology ala Han Solo, senators only have to go as far as Brooklyn to find alternative assets.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:23 | 4560634 Fix It Again Timmy
Fix It Again Timmy's picture

Yes, I'm all for arming the Ukrainian army - give them squirt pistols, nerf guns and slingshots with marshmellows.  Those will be just as EFFECTIVE as the usual wares....

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:23 | 4560637 bdc63
bdc63's picture

the word of the day is "flabbergasted" ...

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:17 | 4561055 Berspankme
Berspankme's picture

at some point, wouldn't it be better if Odipshit just kept his mouth shut. Everytime he speaks, he appears more infantile

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:23 | 4560638 dbTX
dbTX's picture

Obama is such a rank amateur, it's embarrasing, he's completely out of his league.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:28 | 4560662 mendolover
mendolover's picture

'They' knew that before his selection.  Hense the teleprompter.

 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:24 | 4560639 kchrisc
kchrisc's picture

Putin got the Crimea and the DC US and West got another day of the theft via the petrodollar.

Paper-tiger go meow! LOL

 

"Irony is the fact that I borrowed to build my guillotine from the banksters that it will eat."

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:59 | 4560800 forwardho
forwardho's picture

We all help build our own galloes sir.

 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:24 | 4560641 The_Prisoner
The_Prisoner's picture

Excellent article qith questions to Dimitri Orlov, Pepe Escobar and The Saker.

http://vineyardsaker.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/from-tlaxcala-ukraine-russi...

 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:07 | 4560825 ronron
ronron's picture

thanks for that.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:24 | 4560643 Make_Mine_A_Double
Make_Mine_A_Double's picture

The Russians don't seem to be taking Emperor Pillow Biter and the Apple Dumpling Gang at Foggy Bottom very seriously.....Hey Vlad, you know how we bitch slapped you at Sochi. Sending a couple of old carpet munchers to show you up? You remember that stinging  diplomatic beat down don't you?

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/03/russian-deputy-pm-laughs-at-obamas-sanctions/

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:25 | 4560647 mendolover
mendolover's picture

There is absolutely NOTHING that can elevate Crazy John McCain's status in my eyes!  I know of at least a few Vietnam vets that can't wait to read that fuckers obit.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:40 | 4560722 Greenskeeper_Carl
Greenskeeper_Carl's picture

Don't forget the families of hundreds of MIA soldiers as well. His treatment and actions during that are my first thoughts every time I hear him or anyone else talk about his 'war record'

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:49 | 4560752 knukles
knukles's picture

And the Democrats used to think that Sarah Palin was bad, so we get Joe Biden.
But of course to show the Democrats up, not to be outdone by Plugsie, the Establishment Republicans run your Crazy Uncle McCain.

These fuckers are gonna get us all killed!

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:10 | 4560839 Freddie
Freddie's picture

Don't forget McCain's Admiral pa and the soldiers murdered on the USS Liberty.  They are a despicable family.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:25 | 4560649 Kaiser Sousa
Kaiser Sousa's picture

i wish Putin would just announce that he's putting a contract out on that piece of shit war mongering mongrel that "charlie" should have killed when they had him as a favor to future generations -  JohN MCshit...

FUCK ALL YOU BANKER OWNED US GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS...

AND FUCK YOU THE MOST JOHN MCCAIN....

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:11 | 4560975 Max UK
Max UK's picture

Well, we can thank McCain for one thing; he seems to have let the actual policy out of the bag. Nato won't wage war on Russia, but they will clandestinely help to arm Ukraine with nukes, and then nuclear armed Ukrainian 'hot-heads' (i.e western stooges) will sabre rattle with Russia, in a nuclear poker game that goes wrong and becomes a hot war.

Meanwhile, 'Nothing to do with us guv' west, will urge restraint on both sides, and feign horror and distress, to disguise their engineering of that very crisis.

Russia needs to make it clear, that a nuclear Ukraine is grounds for Russian invasion, and any Ukrainian attack is deemed by default to be a US attack.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 21:26 | 4561461 RSDallas
RSDallas's picture

Kaiser,

You are an ignorant!  

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:25 | 4560651 mayhem_korner
mayhem_korner's picture

Putin Strikes Back: Russia's Sanctions List Said To Include US Senators, High Ranking Administration Officials

 

I always hoped Vince Flynn's Term Limits would hit theaters.  Didn't realize it would be played out on the grand stage...

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:26 | 4560656 quidam
quidam's picture

Ketchup banned as vodka mixer.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:31 | 4560672 Skateboarder
Skateboarder's picture

Bloody Heinz? What do you use for the spice? Taco Bell fire sauce?

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:50 | 4560761 knukles
knukles's picture

Duct tape it to Teresah when she's having a seizure, for mixing.
Shaken not stirred!

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:27 | 4560658 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

The carnival barker of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave wants to relocate his act to Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok 8... Is he trying to one-up Snowden on elaborate defections or does Jay just have a penchant for being defecated on in public? 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:15 | 4560856 Freddie
Freddie's picture

I wish Putin would drop some real bombshells to liven this up a bit more.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:29 | 4560665 NoTTD
NoTTD's picture

Be a good opportunity to see which of  our Overlords has shit hidden in Russia.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:34 | 4560689 Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill's picture

I'm guessing a lot hidden in that list.

I don't think Vlad is the type to make empty gestures, unlike our Dear Leader.

What happened about that Reuters report last night that Kerry had made a deal ?

A second double cross ?

Seems the PTB are intent on war.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:52 | 4560768 knukles
knukles's picture

A deal?
He was lonely, took out his pecker and stared at it for a while, as he practiced his extremely stringent threats of no more Russian Vodka Imports into the US?

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:53 | 4560776 Volkodav
Volkodav's picture

what deal? link?

 

 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:22 | 4560863 Freddie
Freddie's picture

I saw something from Pepe Escobar today.  It talks about the Finlandization of the Ukraine.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/CEN-01-170314.html

The Crimea is a done deal.  I think the US State Dept and the criminals in Kiev may be suing for peace with Putin because they know the eastern Ukraine provinces will ask for a referendum very soon.  I may be reading it wrong. 

Saker has some new stuff too:

http://vineyardsaker.blogspot.com/

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:30 | 4560667 Watts_D_Matter
Watts_D_Matter's picture

Hey Mr. Putin,

 

Challenge Senator McCain to an arm wrestling match...That puppet can't move his arms...

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:31 | 4560671 dimitar
dimitar's picture

if anyone from moscow read this: please dont make list, dont play their game. you can target their interest in different way.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:53 | 4560774 knukles
knukles's picture

True that.
Kinda like replying to fonestar or MillionDollarWhoeverItIs...

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:31 | 4560674 Debeachesand Je...
Debeachesand Jerseyshores's picture

Is their something with site,slow typing comments and hard to use green and red arrows.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:54 | 4560778 forwardho
forwardho's picture

Come on, give the poor schmucks at the nsa a break.

Your comment needs to be reveiwed in real time.

 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:32 | 4560678 djsmps
djsmps's picture

Freedom drinks

Kahlua and vodka = black Freedom

Kahlua and vodka and cream = white Freedom

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:48 | 4560953 Hulk
Hulk's picture

Vodka, coffee and orange juice = a screw Mrs Olson, which :

A) has nothing to do with this thread

B) you have to be fucking old to get it.

That is all for now, now back to our regurly scheduled comedy special...

 

 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 20:01 | 4561201 TheFourthStooge-ing
TheFourthStooge-ing's picture

.

Vodka, coffee and orange juice = a screw Mrs Olson

I thought that was called an Anita Bryant slurry.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:32 | 4560680 Cangaroo.TNT
Cangaroo.TNT's picture

I am SO GLAD my high school counselor advised against me becoming a senator!

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:46 | 4560747 Cangaroo.TNT
Cangaroo.TNT's picture
  1. Leak list
  2. Watch idiot McCain proclaim he'd be proud to be on the list
  3. Exclude McCain from list "because he's insignificant and inconsequential"
  4. Watch McCain become an even bigger petulant ass
Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:44 | 4560939 El Vaquero
El Vaquero's picture

He's a pustulant sore on our collective asses.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:32 | 4560681 Z_End
Z_End's picture

Perhaps Putin should threaten to release McCains KGB file/dossier from his stay in Hanoi... Very entertaining I'm sure! ;-)

 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:36 | 4560684 Dewey Cheatum Howe
Dewey Cheatum Howe's picture

And Insane in the membrane McCain tips his next move.

Funny how other referendums are conveniently not reported on when no gas or oil interests at stake.

http://www.rferl.org/content/moldova-gagauz-referendum-counting/25251251...

An overwhelming majority of voters in a referendum held in the autonomous Moldovan region of Gagauzia have voted for integration with a Russia-led customs union.

The chairwoman of Gagauzia's election commission, Valentina Lisnic, said on February 3 that 98.4 percent of voters chose closer relations with the CIS Customs Union.

In a separate question, 97.2 percent were against closer EU integration.

In addition, 98.9 percent of voters supported Gagauzia's right to declare independence should Moldova lose or surrender its own independence.

...

Surrender it's independence to whom is the $64 dollar question? Will fuck the EU Nuland and McCain not be able to travel here to cause problems next.....

...

Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca also told RFE/RL's Moldovan Service on February 3 that the referendum had no legal legitimacy.

"What happened in the region of Gagauzia, unfortunately, represents a defiance of law," he said. "Of course, the referendum that was held yesterday is more than regrettable. The Republic of Moldova will hold parliamentary elections at the end of this year -- the most representative and relevant referendum on various issues, including the most important issue, which is the foreign policy of the country."

...

More background on the region for those interested.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gagauzia

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:34 | 4560686 B2u
B2u's picture

This is wrong....Putin should let Durbin travel to Russia...then keep him there....

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:53 | 4560770 nmewn
nmewn's picture

Hell, lets throw in Schumer and make it a package deal.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:37 | 4560690 Bawneee Fwank
Bawneee Fwank's picture

John McCain's crippled weaselly arms are perfect for an Obama Circle Jerk.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:35 | 4560694 NaiLib
NaiLib's picture

A couple of things here when it comes to sanctions

http://www.nationaldebtclocks.org/debtclock/russia approx 11% of GDP (205 B USD)

http://www.nationaldebtclocks.org/debtclock/unitedstates approx 103% of GDP

 

So who cannot afford doing something stupid here

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:48 | 4560754 walküre
walküre's picture

The numbers are irrelevant. The US is good for 103% debt / GDP. Russia's currency is weak at only 11% debt/GDP and they'd probably have trouble finding investors due to the political discourse. Why do you think people are taking $500 loans from the Money Tree even when their debt/income ratios are better than the doctor who is already up to his eyeballs in debt and still gets cheap credits?

It's not just a matter of the level of debt/GDP. Russia has defaulted in the past or was near default, the IMF had to step in. They're just not preferred customers. So, if Putin and Russia escalate this further it is only to try and stick it to the IMF and international lenders and fight their way out of a default or try and cancel their debts at gun point.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:25 | 4560871 agent default
agent default's picture

"The numbers are irrelevant."  This is the most dangerous assumption you can ever make about debt.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:26 | 4561084 css1971
css1971's picture

As an already defaulted nation, the prospect of another Russian default is ... priced in. Should America default however...

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:38 | 4560701 LeisureSmith
LeisureSmith's picture

Fun fact, In edition to crashing planes and starting fires McCain have the ability to store large cashes of nuts and animosity in his cheeks.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:36 | 4560704 ChargingHandle
ChargingHandle's picture

will high class russian escorts be on the list as this would prove to be an effective sanction for DC

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:36 | 4560706 foxmuldar
foxmuldar's picture

Why not a Beer Summit? 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:22 | 4560864 Pure Evil
Pure Evil's picture

Because Obama is the Choom Master.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:38 | 4560714 MarsInScorpio
MarsInScorpio's picture

Jay Carney as the ambassador to Moscow - yes, the Obama administration is totaly insane.

 

But if you're going to have a liar for an ambassador, I can't think of a liar any more prone to complete untruths than Carney; he is an unmitigated slimeball.

-30-

 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:59 | 4560801 Make_Mine_A_Double
Make_Mine_A_Double's picture

But he's got nice hair and those trendy glasses.

And you know....he 'does things' for Obozo under the lecturne..

 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:54 | 4560977 shovelhead
shovelhead's picture

I always get the feeling Carney got that job by someone picking a name out of a hat. He is without a doubt the worst liar the entire Obama administration.

He has the unique ability to look just like a dog who peed on the carpet when he's about to let a whopper fly.

Obama, on the other hand, is superb at lying with a poker face.

Pratice makes perfect and he's had a lifetime of study.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:38 | 4560718 walküre
walküre's picture

US Senators and Presidents have been generally barred from entering my properties a long time ago.

 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:40 | 4560726 pndr4495
pndr4495's picture

Haven't seen Boris Alotovkrap commentig on ZH in a bit .... ?

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:58 | 4560795 RafterManFMJ
RafterManFMJ's picture

With copper so low, he is out shuttering his urban copper mine and laying of vagrants/miners.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:41 | 4560729 STG5IVE
STG5IVE's picture

Let's just get this show on the road.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:42 | 4560735 fijisailor
fijisailor's picture

Not even a shred of idealogical differences.  It's just a battle of which corrupt bunch of corporations/oligarchs are controlling what.  

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:44 | 4560738 tony bonn
tony bonn's picture

mccain is a little boy who needs to be put back into his pen....7 days in may and dr strangelove are his life stories - he is a pinhead troglodyte anxious for a nuclear war....if this asswipe doesn't die soon we will all be dead.....and bathhouse barry is no better.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:44 | 4560740 Philalethian
Philalethian's picture

May it be known, this writer embraces God(Love), and not evil. Life, and not death for profits. Compassion, and not hatred. These modern conflicts are not about the colors of people, countries, or different cultural differences. It is not about right and left, us or them. It is all about right and wrong, goodness and evil.

Who exactly is responsible for all this craziness and out of control war mongering for profits? If it kow-tows to the money god, it is evil. If we adhere to the Higher Teachings of Love, it is right-up.

This diabolical totalitarian plan of pitting one side against the other for profits, when you own both of them is just plain ol dead right now. End of game. Who is foolish enough to watch the evil babylonian money-god freaks pit good people against good people around the world, when everybody knows who and what is going on? Who is foolish enough to continue to believe the idiotic Hegelian processes that are taking down all the little people of the world? How much longer will this charade of false flag events and distractions dujour go on?

WAKE THE FLOCK UP!!!

Here is something that must be recognized by the mainstream Christians in America. It is all about the choice between the deceptive devils(murderers for profit) of washington dc, or embracing the Christ Principle(Love and Brotherhood). A simple choice for any one to make. One will over come the other, eventually. Hedge your bets well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNECHqkLI_k

Here is a story about the modern 501c3 govt preachers that are being sucked into the evil plan to kill America:

http://gopthedailydose.com/2014/03/06/fema-trains-pastors-prep-martial-l...

 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:26 | 4560873 shovelhead
shovelhead's picture

Lucky for me I was born Catholic and bought my indulgences early so I get a guaranteed box seat in Heaven.

You Protestants better buff up your resumes because the competition is going to be fierce as (excuse the pun) Hell.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:50 | 4560947 Boxed Merlot
Boxed Merlot's picture

bought my indulgences early...

 

 

Paid to the house of Borgia or the Midici?  Funny how they both can claim infallibility in their personal quests for moar.  Luther and Calvin's problem was in thinking the whole thing could be reformed.  It needed to be obliterated and started over from scratch.

 

jmo.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:13 | 4561043 shovelhead
shovelhead's picture

Jeez...

Do I really look that old?

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 22:01 | 4561563 tom a taxpayer
tom a taxpayer's picture

Buying indulgences seems a lot better than buying carbon credits.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:46 | 4560748 jtg
jtg's picture

"sending Russian intelligence agents inside Ukraine", but as usual no mention of US intelligence agents inside Ukraine or US support for faacist/nazoid Svoboda or Right Sector that are now both holding important security agency posts in the so-called Kiev government.

The only think I can call the US government support for fascist/nazoid groups in Ukraine is, EVIL.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:49 | 4560755 Legolas
Legolas's picture

I wouldn't be surprised if Putin announces what Jim Sinclair suggests that he could do (accept all forms of payment for oil/gas except the Dollar).  It would be fun to watch the MWAG top that!

http://usawatchdog.com/putin-has-nuclear-economic-bomb-jim-sinclair/

 

 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:55 | 4560781 bdc63
bdc63's picture

those are 'nuke lanching' words there, my friend.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:15 | 4560842 Legolas
Legolas's picture

You won't get a nuke response from the US without a requisite FFE.  It would be just like Putin to show some moxy at this point. 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:50 | 4560758 dlfield
dlfield's picture

There is only 1 U.S. politician I can think of who might possibly have assets there:  Al Gore.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:51 | 4560764 El Hosel
El Hosel's picture

Any high wanking Bankers on that list?

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:55 | 4560779 Seasmoke
Seasmoke's picture

This is like a SNL High School comedy sketch. 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:56 | 4560786 Piranha
Piranha's picture

Politicians just got themselves a new excuse for zero growth going into the summer!

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:57 | 4560791 knukles
knukles's picture

Amazing propaganda failure at work, here...
Just no credibility left.

No wonder folks tune into "Dancing with the Czars"

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:50 | 4560964 Hulk
Hulk's picture

who was the fuckhead who introduced the term "czar" into our public discourse, cause I want to punch him...

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:34 | 4561117 shovelhead
shovelhead's picture

I think they wanted to go with Godfather but decided it was too close to a brand name.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:58 | 4560796 redvetttes
redvetttes's picture

if putin had balls, he would of naned exxon mobile

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:59 | 4560797 hockeypuck777
Mon, 03/17/2014 - 17:59 | 4560799 geno-econ
geno-econ's picture

Sticks and stones will hurt my bones
But frozen assets in countries I have no money will never hurt me.
Nah !
Just children playing in a global market play pen

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:01 | 4560805 Tracerfan
Tracerfan's picture

Meanwhile, in US/EU-supported neo-Nazi Banderistan (formerly known as Ukraine), the unleashed Fascist wolves are already preying upon peaceful civilians:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvcPnY0QG7k

Anyone who is not a neo-Nazi and lives there is not safe.  Nuland, the Neo-Cons, US & EU have opened the gates of Hell and let the Nazis out.

Russia will go in militarily if this spreads to East Ukraine.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:21 | 4561054 css1971
css1971's picture

And that ladies and gentlemen Americans is why the world hates you (even more than the Brits).

 

Here, btw, is McCain giving his own Nazi salute to the Svoboda faithful with the party leadership in the background.

http://img.rt.com/files/opinionpost/21/85/d0/00/usa-mccain-libya-ukraine...

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:07 | 4560820 SmittyinLA
SmittyinLA's picture

Quasi-Moto McCain, King o idiots 

I wonder does Putin feel ashamed of McCain's Soviet Socialist mindfuck or proud, or entertained?

John McCain is a product of years of captive Socialist re-education, he's totally damaged with no morals whatsoever, he automatically persues the Anti-American Anti Constitutional pro-Socialist political position in any dispute-even with ex-Communist Russia, strangely enough so does Obama.

 

 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:08 | 4560829 richsob
richsob's picture

You know what our greatest fear is now?  It's if Obama overreacts and lets Biden/Kerry/Valerie Jarret/Reggie Love/?? talk him into doing something "a real macho man would do".  It's too late to bow up on Putin over Crimea.  Maybe Western Ukraine....maybe....but Obie getting a wild hair up his ass and doing something really stupid (like putting some U.S. military "observers" in Ukraine or depth charging a Russian sub "to send them a message" is what could push this thing into a hot war before cooler heads prevailed.  As bad as it is, it's better if the dumb fuck stays looking weak instead of going full retard the other way.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:55 | 4560980 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

LOL, wait, you think Obummer gets to decide things?

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:13 | 4560830 richsob
richsob's picture

Double Post

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:12 | 4560845 shovelhead
shovelhead's picture

Personally, I look forward to having nuclear missiles in Cuba again.

It's not often we can get a chance to relive those halcyon years of our youth when things were simpler and more straightforward.

Our grandchildren may never know the simple pleasures of hula-hoops and Red Ryder bb guns but at least they will enjoy participation in those wonderful duck-and-cover drills and the excitement of knowing that any moment they can be vaporized in a nuclear Armageddon.

Just the thrill of hearing a civil defense alert on the radio again would bring a wistful frisson nostalgie of days gone by.

We need to do it for the children.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:36 | 4560901 John McCloy
John McCloy's picture

Great point.

" at least they will enjoy participation in those wonderful duck-and-cover drills"

     Now that you mention it what better symbolism of the higher up beauracracy even decades ago..."Hey kids...pop under those desks..the 180 Million Degree Temperatues will be no match for those wooden desks"

     Elites..placating the sheep with fear and exercises since for fucking ever.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:42 | 4560932 Yes We Can. But...
Yes We Can. But Lets Not.'s picture

I grew up in a home that included a cinderblock, dirt-floor bomb shelter completed with funky metallic vents.  And we referred to it as simply 'the bomb shelter'.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:57 | 4560985 DollarMenu
DollarMenu's picture

And all those parking garages with giant containers of 'biscuits' to be used as food while sheltering.

Those were the good old days.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:16 | 4560852 SgtShaftoe
SgtShaftoe's picture

I wish the rest of McLame's limbs would finally sieze, especially his puppet-like jaw.  Putin, have anything for that?

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:20 | 4560861 Son of Captain Nemo
Son of Captain Nemo's picture

To the people of the United States...

Congratulations you are now a wholly owned subsidiary of the "Zionist Jew Bank of the World"!...

In order for you to stop WWIII against a renegade sovereign Nation that's done nothing to you other than to push it's own autonomy and business "partners"...

Speak now to stop it or forever hold your silence!

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:27 | 4560875 El_Puerco
Mon, 03/17/2014 - 21:30 | 4561475 Volkodav
Volkodav's picture

where did that com from?

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:27 | 4560878 homiegot
homiegot's picture

I guess this is better than mutually assured destruction.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:27 | 4560879 GoldenDonuts
GoldenDonuts's picture

Memo to Barry

 

Go shoot some hoops or swing a golf club.  You are embarrassing yourself.  What a putz.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:49 | 4560960 Son of Captain Nemo
Son of Captain Nemo's picture

Oh trust us he already "is" and David, Henry, Zbig and George encourage him to stay away from the telemprompter and mic as much as possible doing "those activities"...

The tragedy is that the American people don't know the difference or even care anymore that he's the President of the United States that represents them as the face of the U.S. to the World!

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:29 | 4560883 walküre
walküre's picture

As this "high stakes drama" unfolds, I get the feeling all actors are following the same script. Maybe rehearsals were at Davos and Bilderberg. They all want the same thing or better said, they are performing on behalf of their puppet masters who all want the same thing.

Who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist in this drama is hard to say. They're all dirty and have murky pasts.

Protests in Ukraine during the global event "Winter Olympics" with a revolutionary outcome just in time before the Games ended. Russia military excercises along the border to Ukraine, long planned and just happen to be scheduled after the former President of Ukraine has been ousted. The Russians decide to take Crimea where it so happens, they have one of their biggest military assets anyway. The referendum for Crimeans gets announced and executed within a couple weeks later (were the ballots even dry yet?).

So far this is all business as usual. Looks like the puppet masters just don't like the idea of long lasting global peace. When there's no conflict, there is no opportunity to benefit. Conflict is what got man to leave the cages, walk upright and make fire. The puppet masters like pretending and giving the illusion of world peace when they are fully aware that world peace is the end of the world, it is evolutionary standstill. What comes after world peace is frightening them. Peaceful people don't need to be controlled, occupied or "liberated"!!!

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:33 | 4560897 magpie
magpie's picture

Don't worry, Krugman's aliens have just entered the solar system...

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 20:38 | 4561345 windcatcher
windcatcher's picture

 

In reply to walkture: Exactly, it is so 18, 19, 20 th Century Greed battle between the Oligarchs, when does the New Age 21 st Century begin?

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:29 | 4560884 q99x2
q99x2's picture

So this is what Obama was wispering about to Putin couple years back.

I don't believe in Kennedies. 

I believe in me.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:38 | 4560913 Yes We Can. But...
Yes We Can. But Lets Not.'s picture

Kerry gets concerned if Vlad threatens to cut off the caviar.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:41 | 4560927 windcatcher
windcatcher's picture

 

Bankster and Big Oil puppet Obama is undoubtedly the worst president in American history but can you imagine Insane McCain as president today?

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:11 | 4561041 hangemhigh77
hangemhigh77's picture

No because the world would have ended in 09'

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:50 | 4560962 Joebloinvestor
Joebloinvestor's picture

Putin should publish the NSA info Snowden gave him that Barry is a limp dick that will do nothing.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:17 | 4561056 walküre
walküre's picture

Why would Putin publish this and what would Barry do different? It's a done deal. Russia got Crimea and the Ukraine gets split up. They just can't make it too obvious that both parties are working towards the same goals.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:59 | 4560996 Downtoolong
Downtoolong's picture

Fine with me. Keep it up. I’ll take 50 megaton sanctions over real warheads from either side any day.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:01 | 4561006 I Write Code
I Write Code's picture

OK boom you're sanctioned - double-secret sanctioned!

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:59 | 4560997 rlouis
rlouis's picture

Hey Vlad:  If you're serious (for sentimental reasons,) put David Rockefeller and Henry Kissinger on your list, otherwise it looks a lot like professional wrestling.

 

 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 18:59 | 4560998 I Write Code
I Write Code's picture

Captain, we canna take much more of this, if you don't slow down the engines will explode!

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:04 | 4561017 hangemhigh77
hangemhigh77's picture

Oh the injustice!!!! How fare he freeze all the stolen money that our congress crooks have robbed the people!!! Go get em Putin!!!!!! Ahahahaha how stupid are our "leaders". Idiots.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:20 | 4561063 lakecity55
lakecity55's picture

Vlad, release the grainy gay flix Bath House is in! We know ya got 'em!

"Barry and the Back Nine"

"Barry does San Fagcisco"

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:25 | 4561077 hangemhigh77
hangemhigh77's picture

Barry's putter in the East Village.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:08 | 4561029 hangemhigh77
hangemhigh77's picture

Sell treasuries Vlad!!!! Crash this fucked up empire. Then we'll take it from there and hang all these assmonkeys.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:09 | 4561036 hangemhigh77
hangemhigh77's picture

Hey Vlad publicize the accounts so we can see who stole what. Help us out.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:16 | 4561052 hangemhigh77
hangemhigh77's picture

Vlad's approval rating in the USA......100%

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:20 | 4561064 Ifigenia
Ifigenia's picture

Is a pity they froze Old McCain assets. I dare say the vietnameses had send to their commie pals in Moscow Old McCains deeds in Hanoi Hotel.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:22 | 4561066 hangemhigh77
hangemhigh77's picture

Vlad has pics of McCain with farm animals. That's why McCain always visits local dairies in every country he visits. He loves Holsteins.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:25 | 4561079 kurt
kurt's picture

In a nearby alternate universe John McCain autoasphixiated in his thirties with a toy boat up his ass.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:27 | 4561091 grunk
grunk's picture

So global politics never progressed past junior high school? 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:30 | 4561102 SilverFish
SilverFish's picture

Sorry John, no more withdrawls from the Moscow sperm bank for you, I'm afraid.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:33 | 4561114 El Hosel
El Hosel's picture

Made for TV pissing contest.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:40 | 4561128 css1971
css1971's picture

Clearly Putin is taking the piss.

 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:39 | 4561129 Cabreado
Cabreado's picture

Proven unfit to lead in the presidency is one thing...

a Defunct Congress, acting in Pure Self-Preservation and neglecting to address that thing is another, and of far greater importance.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:44 | 4561141 pupdog1
pupdog1's picture

Hopefully Vlad can sanction McCain's pie hole.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:45 | 4561144 Manipuflation
Manipuflation's picture

Fuck McCain. 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:48 | 4561155 B2u
B2u's picture

What about Russian women?  Still up for marriage?

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:51 | 4561170 hangemhigh77
hangemhigh77's picture

Oboner is such a fucking dueshbag

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 20:01 | 4561174 NuYawkFrankie
NuYawkFrankie's picture

Disgraced bully-boy USSA squirming like a stuck pig.

Time to clean house - these clowns have to go.

 

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:54 | 4561176 Jack Burton
Jack Burton's picture

London property will take an almighty hit, look for Chinese to step in and buy up any bargains going. Russian oligarchs and other monied classes all have a second home in upscale London post codes. These are unlikley to be useable for a long time so the fire sale will begin. Chinese are the likley winners all around in this whole sanctions game, as I made clear yesterday in a post on Russian energy export potentials going east.

As for McCain, put him in a home for the criminally insane, and get him out of the Senate and get him out of spending our tax dollars for his mad schemes and delusions! Feeble cunt that he is.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 20:12 | 4561244 Manipuflation
Manipuflation's picture

+1 for that.  Fucking McCain just won't die.   

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 20:31 | 4561290 Radical Marijuana
Radical Marijuana's picture

"McCain, put him in a home for the criminally insane ..."

Unfortunately, the real world IS already an insane asylum, which is being controlled by the most criminally insane people. Therefore, it is very difficult to gain any rational perspective whatsoever upon what is happening. I find that each time one attempts to step back to gain a better overview, the whole thing looks even more insane than it already did up close. For a medium-term level of perspective on this macabre nut house show:

http://www.doomsteaddiner.net/blog/2014/03/16/the-death-of-debt/

The Death of Debt

By RE, March 16, 2014.

"... The exponential increase in total Debt and the total money Supply measured in US Dollars has been ongoing since the 1970s, it was the only way to keep the Industrial Game rolling here over the period. ... Debt is Dying here, because there are not enough resources around per capita to issue more debt to all the Consumers to consume those resources. ... When these behemoths finally do die, it is the END of the monetary system we have been using since the time of the Medici. ... The Death of Debt is the Road to War, they are one in the same thing really. It all stems from an exhausted resource base that too many people Globally are competing to use and exploit. ... Individuals don’t have much choice when they get cut off, so Suicide becomes a fairly Common Option. Suicide rates in the hardest hit countries are already Skyrocketing, and even here in the FSoA Suicide is on the rise. Nation-States that are organized with Large Military Apparatus DO have an Option besides Suicide, which is to Go Belligerent as a group and try to kill somebody else instead of dieing themselves. ..."

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 22:16 | 4561613 IridiumRebel
IridiumRebel's picture

And the death of debt will become simply death for a million souls over give or take...

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 22:52 | 4561707 Ocean22
Ocean22's picture

How long till war ?

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 20:18 | 4561268 Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill's picture

Maybe Broadmoor has some vacancies.

He will feel right at home there with his ilk.

Also an ocean away from us.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 20:48 | 4561376 shinobi-7
shinobi-7's picture

If I was Chinese I wouldn't rush to buy a property in London for China is next on the list and this as soon as the tension in the Japan sea rises which eventially must happen sooner or later since neither Japan nor China will back down on "control".

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:55 | 4561184 jagercali
jagercali's picture

John McCain ols nasty scenile warmonger.....why don't we have term limits in Congress....why do we need career politicians???? What a joke.......

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 19:55 | 4561185 jagercali
jagercali's picture

John McCain ols nasty scenile warmonger.....why don't we have term limits in Congress....why do we need career politicians???? What a joke.......

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 20:00 | 4561193 Lumberjack
Lumberjack's picture

Have China seize the assets of UPC. I would include all assets held by UPC within BRIC's jurisdiction.

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 20:03 | 4561212 The Fonz...befo...
The Fonz...before shark jump's picture

Putin should have replied...here is the list of Americans that will face sanctions....this list also includes one Kenyan

Mon, 03/17/2014 - 20:09 | 4561238 Johnny Cocknballs
Johnny Cocknballs's picture

The pain for the poor people of Ukraine has sadly just begun.

http://www.activistpost.com/2014/03/imf-plans-massive-austerity-for-ukra...

How long before there are secondary protests and rebellions against Kiev in Ukraine proper? Is there any doubt what Barry's attitude toward them will be?

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!