Who Writes Their Material?

The NY Times covers the tough talk coming out of Washington in response to the Crimea crisis:

ROME — The United States escalated its response to Russia’s military and economic threats to Ukraine on Thursday, announcing it has imposed visa bans on officials and others deemed responsible for actions that have undermined Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Hit the oligarchs where it hurts! No more Broadway plays for them or Fifth Avenue shopping sprees for the wife (or arm candy). Get out EU allies to close off Paris, London and Milan and we can force these guys to spend their loot in Hong Kong.

The punchline is here:

The announcement, a senior official said, should prompt individuals in Russia and Crimea to wonder if they are going to “find their name on a list.”

I think plenty of Russians and Ukrainians have had that worry for decades. But it's not lists kept by Barry and Johnny that have them worried.

CRUEL AND UNUSUAL: Instead of suspending visas, make each visa come with two Knicks tickets? Geez, what would the World Court say? And don't escalate by mentioning the Mets here.

Comments

[jimmyk]

No tax on retirees over retirement age. Problem solved. Next?

Grandma, can you come to the store with me to buy our new flat screen TV, so that we don't have to pay VAT on it?

[Stephanie VIP shhhhh its fight club]

They do that now for senior discounts at the grocery store. Only works if grandma is in the same town or is alive.

[glasater]

Years ago we had an accountant who said everyone and I mean everyone should be taxed at 2% of their gross income and that's it!

He kinda went nuts not too long after making that rant… :-)