With Ukraine in turmoil, Hagel can’t get Russian counterpart to take his calls

With Ukraine in turmoil, Hagel can’t get Russian counterpart to take his calls. Must be using his answering machine to screen out nuisance calls….

Bonfire of the Absurdities: After 35 year career writing software for IBM mainframes, am now self-employed contractor thinking of joining a union and striking for higher wages. Cured morbid fear of heights when I learned to look at them as lengths standing on end. Uncompromising in refusal to accept browser cookies. Amateur investor who has accumulated a small fortune in the market after starting out years ago with a large one. For recreation, I run, hike, kayak and play tennis but will not consider synchronized swimming under any circumstances.

View Comments (18)

  • But the Russian Defense minister WILL take calls from the Shamwow guy, life insurance salespeople, and folks selling magazines......

  • If Hagel isn't careful, the Russian Defense Minister will un-friend him on Facebook.

  • Not just the USA but the entire world is going to rue the day we elected our first affirmative action president. Obama is a destroyer, he has always been a destroyer, and he will always be a destroyer.

  • "Hey,.....uh,....Chuckie. Sorry I haven't gotten back to you, but we've got this Ukranian thing going on right now, things are kinda hectic. I'll give you a call once it's all sorted out, ok?"

  • Remember Emperor Barak The incompetent told Putin that his colon would be even more flexible after his Chicago Style re-election.

  • What the Russians understand is strength and nothing else. What is on display in the US is wussy response to what Putin and his followers are doing. This emboldens them and the few allies that we have left in the region are left to defend themselves. Even after all the promises were made by quagmire, hildabeast and heinz-kerry. When dealing with communist or in this new branding nationalist, it must be from strength and resolve. Not some type of limp wrist response by those who are doing the responses now.

    The threats are clearly there and all the administration wishes to do is send out some type of hashtag campaign.

  • I bet Hagel would get his attention if he promised to dismantle our submarine fleet in exchange for a call.

  • What is Hagel calling about, his paycheck? Doesn't he know that Putin only pays for performance, and his tools aren't preforming up to expectations.