(Bizpac Review) – President Obama is finally getting tough on Vladimir Putin (kinda-sorta), but what took so long?
That’s what many on Twitter are wondering in response to Obama’s 11th-hour decision to retaliate against Russia amid concerns Russian hackers may have interfered with the U.S. presidential election.
While the Obama Administration has still not presented any concrete evidence supporting its claim that Russian cyber attacks influenced the election, Obama abruptly decided to eject 35 Russian intelligence operatives from the United States, close two Russian facilities and impose other sanctions.
While most people agree that Russia should be punished if, in fact, they did interfere with a U.S. election, many wondered why Obama waited until 3 weeks before his presidency ends to act.
Critics also pointed out that Obama did nothing when Russia committed far graver offenses, such as invading Crimea.
Russia invades Crimea: oh well
Russia shoots down airliner: mistakes happen
John Podesta falls for phishing scam: RESTART THE COLD WAR— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) December 29, 2016
US Govt. tolerated a Russian "spy base" 60 miles from DC for 44 years, but Podesta's gmail hack was the final straw? https://t.co/aP72dNZdfU
— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) December 29, 2016
Syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer unloaded on Obama with a one-two punch, calling the timing of the sanctions “ridiculous” and his actions “adolescent.”
Still others pointed out that the United States has suffered more egregious cyber attacks, and that Obama only decided to sanction Russia now because he’s unhappy that Hillary Clinton lost.
Many speculate that if Clinton had won, Obama would have done nothing.
So. Obama kicks out 35 Russian spies today. If Hilary had won, can we assume he'd have let them stay. . .
— Ryan Hyatt (@RyanHyattMedia) December 29, 2016
So no one's concerned that the govt knew there were 35 spies in the country but did nothing about them until they lost the election?
— dumbset (@GOPdumbset) December 29, 2016
[Hillary's email is hacked]
Meh
[OPM is hacked]
Meh
[DNC is hacked]
Meh
[Hillary loses to Trump]
OMG, our democracy has been hacked!— PoliMath (@politicalmath) December 29, 2016
And, if that is the case, the Russian hacking (as serious as it actually is) is really just a proxy for anger over Trump's win
— PoliMath (@politicalmath) December 29, 2016
The Russian Embassy in the U.K. trolled Obama in a hilarious tweet and posted a photo of a “lame duck” along with its epic Trumpian smack-down.
President Obama expels 35 🇷🇺 diplomats in Cold War deja vu. As everybody, incl 🇺🇸 people, will be glad to see the last of this hapless Adm. pic.twitter.com/mleqA16H8D
— Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) December 29, 2016
In response to Obama’s ejection of Russian diplomats, Putin said he won’t return the favor because he wants to cultivate a good relationship with the incoming Trump Administration.
Putin won the day, as observers praised his diplomacy and generosity when he could’ve been petty and venal (like Obama).
Pleased to see a mature response from Putin. A @realDonaldTrump presidency can't come soon enough.
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) December 30, 2016
#ThanksObama for making Putin look forgiving and magnanimous. Perhaps some people won't hate Russia so much anymore!
— Asa J 🇺🇸 (@asamjulian) December 30, 2016
Great move on delay (by V. Putin) – I always knew he was very smart!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2016
www.bizpacreview.com/2016/12/30/krauthammer-slams-adolescent-obama-ridiculous-timing-russian-sanctions-hes-not-alone-429733
