Why is Putin getting a pass from many?

[TheKentuckian]

70. What pass? What justification?

If that is supposed to be something granted by not beating the war drums then you've lost it and basic knowledge of world history backs that up.

Twenty years ago or even ten nobody would have the gall or the stupidity to suggest we should be taking the big stick to fucking Russia. Nobody, no matter what satellite they rolled on. Now Democrats are playing the roll of brain dead cowboys looking to suicide the planet in an effort to be phony tough and chicken hawk brave.

Folks are starting to sound like Cheney and Bomb, bomb Iran McShame around here, seemingly motivated in no part because they see Putin as giving Obama a black eye in the Snowden situation.
Intresting development is that the some of the most fervent pushers of the sick pony meme against gay folks that steadfastly and unapologetically pushed the administration for their natural rights are all the sudden such rights are the primary filter and most consistently hit talking point.
Not the OP, but some that seem to share the sentiments expressed there. I'm glad they evolved here, a lot of people have, including me had to grow up or stop cowering along some fake middle way but sometime the sped and ferocity of the growth is cause for a double take. Happens so fast that to naked eye it seems like you see the same folks coming and going.

Doesn't really matter in the analysis but I have to admit it is interesting that the last people making excuses now are the first to exploit the emotional leverage as a motivation. The new "women in Afghanistan" perhaps.

No, the real deal is there is little to nothing we can or should do here. That is not a defense of Putin or hating America, it is the reality of the situation in the world. Our sanctions are of little consequence and we do not have the resources to use force to dictate our demands. Russia is not going to give up the strategic need and that deep in their sphere of influence does anyone have the juice to make them at anything like an affordable cost. You think Europe is going to stop buying Russian oil?

There will be some noise, Russia will have to use it's Security Council veto, there will be more noise, and the world will move on because there is no better and actionable option.

What happened to us for busting into Iraq all the way across the world? Far from our natural sphere of influence? Exactly. The world was forced to write us a strongly worded letter and down a steaming hot cup of shut the fuck up.

Sanctions? Europe leading some military or economic action? Really? Better get to waiving that wand and keep it handy because the blowback is going to be epic.

I suggest you ask yourself how we would react to any possible action you suggest/wish for and put it through that filter.