Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	I choose oppression
Date:	3/17/2014 8:17:52 AM

That is the message we think the folks of Crimea are sending with 97% voting to become again a part of Russia.  Surely they remember the awful situation they had under Russian dictatorship.   So why do they vote that way?  Was the presence of Russian troops a major factor?  Was this vote at gunpoint?  Did Pro-Kiev leader folks not vote?

If it was a fair vote, and if folks felt free to vote their convictions, aren't we left with the fact that most of the folks in that area want to be under a different government?   As much as I dislike Russia, this one is difficult for me.

Name:	h_hob -	Reply
Subject:	I choose oppression
Date:	3/17/2014 8:48:27 AM (updated 3/17/2014 8:51:21 AM)

I'm beginning to see the entire world in turmoil.  There are so many instances of people not trusting the government in power and wanting large changes it is unbelievable.  I'll try to list some of the instances I read just today.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26606097

http://www.bnn.ca/News/2014/3/5/Separatist-battle-in-Canada-rekindled-with-Quebec-election.aspx

http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/03/15/more-sovereignty-votes-sunday-referendum-may-see-venice-elect-to-secede-from-italy/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10700499/Scotland-vote-threatens-to-derail-2015-election.html

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUNSHINE_WEEK_FOIA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/us-to-relinquish-remaining-control-over-the-internet/2014/03/14/0c7472d0-abb5-11e3-adbc-888c8010c799_print.html

What is going on?  It seems as if the entire world is rejecting the present status and a lot of territories aren't happy with their present situation.  I also read into these articles the liberals are about to totally fox up the entire world as conservative movements are moving away from letting the GOVERNMENT handle it situation in many places.  I even included an article where the AP is more unhappy with the omama administration.  I thought the AP was a big supporter of omama and any moves he made.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	I choose oppression
Date:	3/17/2014 9:35:51 AM

As I understand it about 65% of the population in Crimea are of Russian descent.  I suspect the other ~30% that voted to join Russia saw the handwriting on the wall and just went along.  This is exactly what happens when you leave a vacuum in the world as we have seen with WOTUS.  Dictators and despots are emboldened.  Those on the fence will sway toward strength and away from weakness.  Allies will sit on the sidelines because that's the smart move.

Russia has all the cards, esepcially given their having addicted western Europe to the their oil and natural gas.  Until that changes they will have a free reign.  WOTUS adds to his legacy.......a new Cold War to go along with his other miserable failures on the domestic and international fronts.  But look on the bright side, left wing nuts can rejoice because they love to export their ruinous results.  Why should they just destroy the U.S. with a failed world belief when they can screw it up for everyone?

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	I Agree With This Guy
Date:	3/17/2014 11:29:30 PM

Residents of Crimea voted over the weekend on whether they would remain an autonomous region of Ukraine or join the Russian Federation. In so doing, they joined a number of countries and regions — including recently Scotland, Catalonia and Venice — that are seeking to secede from what they view as unresponsive or oppressive governments.

These latter three are proceeding without much notice, while the overwhelming Crimea vote to secede from Ukraine has incensed U.S. and european Union officials, and has led NATO closer to conflict with Russia than since the height of the Cold War.

What's the big deal? Opponents of the Crimea vote like to point to the illegality of the referendum. But self-determination is a centerpiece of international law. Article I of the United Nations Charter points out clearly that the purpose of the U.N. is to "develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples."

Why does the U.S. care which flag will be hoisted on a small piece of land thousands of miles away?

Critics point to the Russian "occupation" of Crimea as evidence that no fair vote could have taken place. Where were these people when an election held in an Iraq occupied by U.S. troops was called a "triumph of democracy"?

Perhaps the U.S. officials who supported the unconstitutional overthrow of Ukraine's government should refocus their energies on learning our own Constitution, which does not allow the U.S. government to overthrow governments overseas or send a billion dollars to bail out Ukraine and its international creditors.

Though the Obama administration has applied some minimal sanctions on selected Russian and Crimean individuals, neither the U.S. nor the eU can afford significant sanctions against Russia. Global trade provides too much economic benefit to both sides.

Indeed, international markets rallied on news that the sanctions would be thus far minimal. They understand that trade and economic engagement are the surest roads to peace and prosperity. Let's hope governments will follow their lead.

Former representative Ron Paul of Texas is host of the new RonPaulChannel.com.