The American psyche seems to require a constant enemy. A proverbial boogie man under the bed at all times. The red threats. Axis of evil. Terrorism. And now, that oldie but goodie Russian menace is mounting a comeback.

Newsflash: I’m cynical. See nothing at face value. But even discounting my jaundiced views, I find the saber rattling among certain US politicians over Crimea transparent. Just a couple of weeks ago, the Pentagon finally proposed scaling back from our absurd occupation of the Middle East. Now suddenly Russia can be cast as a threat again.

I’m sorry but that can’t be a coincidence.

Why didn’t we get all ginned up back in 1954 when Russia gifted Crimea to Ukraine? At the time, ethnic Russians outnumbered Ukrainians in Crimea three to one. Our historical indifference couldn’t have had anything to do with the fact that the Crimean Penninsula has no strategic importance to us.

If you think about it, Russia has a more valid claim to Crimea today — both cultural and historical — than the US had to Texas in 1845. But far be it from me to point out any hypocritical behavior on the part of the greatest nation ever.

Right.

14 March 2013