Do Empty Threats Matter?

I'm sure some on here will want to divert this topic to something else, but I'd really like to hear from an Obama supporter on how Obama handles these situations in Iran, Syria, and now Crimea.

In this current situation, does it matter that Obama made a statement saying "there will be consequences", then when the line is crossed (again), the consequences are limited to sanctioning 11 Russian officials? And what about that red line in Syria... what percentage of the chemical weapons have been destroyed and how many more people have died? Seems like that whole story has been brushed under the carpet by the media.

I'm not saying there are any easy answers here, but do you really think it's helpful for the president of the strongest nation in the world to be making strong statements about consequences and red lines, then do little when his bluff is called? How many more empty threats do we need to make before the entire world sees us as too weak to lead in any world crisis? Maybe that's the whole point.

Surprise! I am actually going to defend the President a bit on his sanctions. Targeting individuals with money and power is a welcome change compared to what we did in Iraq, making life more difficult for the poor and middle class with sanctions.
But Obama does come off as weak with his empty threats time after time. It would be better to stay quiet or just work behind the scenes.

The US used to be the strongest. We're only as strong as our weakest link, which in this case sits in the Oval Office.

Rick, you KNOW the answer to this posted thread......you have seen it's INEFFECTIVENESS in
parenting style....the boundaries CONTINUE to get pushed because there are small or inappropriate actions and the child WILL challenge the action UNTIL the action reaps severe
consequences...then and ONLY then will the child "behave"....problem is...Putin is placing bets
on HIS power position and he does NOT believe he will lose. JMO

Putin is not stopping because of any sanctions...

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk said on Tuesday that the conflict in its Crimea peninsula, now under Russian control, had entered a military phase after an Ukrainian officer was killed in an alleged Russian shooting at a Crimea base.

“The conflict is moving from a political one to a military one because of Russian soldiers,” he told a meeting at Ukraine’s defense ministry. “Today, Russian soldiers began shooting at Ukrainian servicemen and this is a war crime without any expiry under a statute of limitations.”

Yatseniuk said he had ordered Ukraine’s defense minister to call a meeting with his counterparts from Britain, France, and Russia – signatories to a 1994 treaty guaranteeing Ukraine’s borders to “prevent an escalation of the conflict”.

Earlier, a military spokesman said a Ukrainian officer was killed in a shooting at a military facility on the outskirts of the Crimean capital Simferopol, but it was unclear who was behind the incident.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/1.580565

And this report has been confirmed by multiple news source including a NBC reporter on the ground.

NBC‘s Ed Flanagan reports that a Ukrainian military spokesman has confirmed that Russian snipers were in action around the base in Simferopol:

Ukrainian military spokesman also confirms what we saw: russian military snipers were in action around base.

— Ed Flanagan (@edmundflanagan) March 18, 2014

Hurry up Obama.

Nobody that matters wrote: The US used to be the strongest. We're only as strong as our weakest link, which in this case sits in the Oval Office.

Agree.

Putin and other countries are LOL at our balless, spineless, mouth pc.

Martin Enterprises wrote:

Nobody that matters wrote: The US used to be the strongest. We're only as strong as our weakest link, which in this case sits in the Oval Office.

Agree.

Putin and other countries are LOL at our balless, spineless, mouth pc.

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRgxV-piU9ZS2twGSzkwbrW1a6t34X_JkmB8EnG9O7PvynbZa-c

And they all know there are more laughs to come..

Rick wrote: https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRgxV-piU9ZS2twGSzkwbrW1a6t34X_JkmB8EnG9O7PvynbZa-c

And they all know there are more laughs to come..

The really sad part of this whole episode is that Hillary has more balls than Barry ever did or will have. Hillary is infamous for being quick to anger and insistent that things go her way "or else."

otisptoadwater wrote:

Rick wrote: https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRgxV-piU9ZS2twGSzkwbrW1a6t34X_JkmB8EnG9O7PvynbZa-c

And they all know there are more laughs to come..

The really sad part of this whole episode is that Hillary has more balls than Barry ever did or will have. Hillary is infamous for being quick to anger and insistent that things go her way "or else."

Oh I agree 100%, and I don't think she's as naïve as Obama when it comes to knowing the M.O. of these foreign leaders who are still living in the past. But I doubt guys like Putin would be any more intimidated by her unless she was to go against the party and beef up our military or get that missile shield back up. Fat chance... we know what side Putiin will be rooting for in 2016.

Just for the record, and to pre-empt any liberals thinking that I'm a fan of Hillary - I'm not. IMHO, four more years of Democrats "leading" our nation is a recipe for disaster.