GLAD THEY'VE NOTICED – AT 10:46 A.M. ET:  It is reported that the White House is starting to understand that Russia is a hostile power, and isn't just the Bolshoi.  And more Russian action is expected.  From Jake Tapper at CNN: 

(CNN) - Based on intelligence, Obama administration officials are very concerned the Russians are not being truthful when they say their forces near Ukraine's eastern and southern borders are merely there for training exercises, sources tell CNN.

Officials assess that Russia – as early as coming days – could use any number of pretexts to justify further military incursions into Ukraine.

Moscow could express a need to protect Russian-speaking Ukrainians, or to protect transportation lines from Russia to Crimea, or the energy supply to Crimea from the rest of Ukraine.

Russian troops could accomplish this quickly, officials say, and theoretically before any other nation could even raise objections.

Officials publicly attribute their skepticism to previous Russian assurances that proved false, and privately say intelligence from the field has bolstered this view of Russia’s plans.

Asked for a candid assessment of White House worries about a possible incursion, a senior administration official told CNN, “We’re very concerned, but it’s by no means certain.”

Separately, National Security Adviser Susan Rice said Friday the Russians have said they intend to conduct military exercises.

“Obviously given their past practice, and the gap between what they have said and what they have done, we are watching it with skepticism," she said.

COMMENT:  The words from the White House are right, but the deeds are weak.  Obama, who's apparently planning another vacation, has no stomach for this.  He's sending the very signals to Putin that will encourage further aggression by Moscow.

And the Russians want to "protect" Russian-speaking Ukrainians?  Wasn't there some German guy in the 1930s who talked that way?  

Nothing to see, folks.  Nothing to see.

March 22, 2014