Putin's Praise

"It was very brave of you to give up
the hat when you saw me coming."

I wonder why Bush passed on this opportunity for praise:

Putin, speaking to investors in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, said he now expected the United States to back a bid by Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan to join the World Trade Organisation.

"I expect that after this correct and brave decision, others will follow, including the complete removal of all restrictions on the transfer of high technology to Russia and activity to widen the membership of the World Trade Organisation to (include) Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus," Putin said.

Doing this on the 70th anniversary of the Russian invasion of Poland is just gravy, of course. I'm sure it wasn't planned that way. It's just like giving Gordon Brown a gift of 25 American-play-only DVDs; it underscores the fact that it's amateur hour in the White House.

So what are the chances that this is part of a secret deal? Could it be that Obama got Russian promises to help in containing Iran's nuclear ambitions? I doubt it. I think Obama did this because he's hell bent on demonstrating how the US isn't a threat to anyone these days. (and to put a spotlight on his own status as Enlightened) Because why? Because bullies won't bother you once they've established you're not a threat?