Sunday, April 17, 2016

John Kerry on the Russian Fighter Jet

Russia made provocative maneuvers towards a US warship.  

John Kerry said:

"“We condemn this kind of behavior. It is reckless. It is provocative. It is dangerous. And under the rules of engagement that could have been a shoot-down.
People need to understand that this is serious business and the United States is not going to be intimidated on the high seas. We are communicating to the Russians how dangerous this is and our hope is that this will never be repeated,” 

Here is the same statement, again, with some analysis with emphasis added:
"“We condemn this kind of behavior. It is reckless. It is provocative. It is dangerous. 

Note the order of his description.  Beginning with "we", as representing the White House/nation:

1.  reckless
2.  provocative
3.  dangerous

Note the word "this" brings the topic close to the subject, elevating its importance while listing his thoughts in specific order. 
"Dangerous" is listed last.  How serious is he about the possibility of danger and retaliation by the United States?  This is where our words reveal us, including diplomats who speak on behalf of the Commander in Chief of the military: 


And under the rules of engagement that could have been a shoot-down.

There are two things of note within this sentence; one is the obvious distancing language of "that" regarding the United States shooting down the hostile fighter jet.  This gives a psychological distance which signals to the Russians:  less likely to engage by U.S. 

Yet, there is something far more important in these words. 

"that could have been a shoot down" is passive voice.  Note that he does not say who would have engaged in a shoot down, concealing the identity, though obvious.  

"We could have shot them down" or "We could have shot down the fighter jet" or anything similar, using the pronoun "we" (or another pronoun) to give commitment. 

Passivity greatly reduces commitment, even in a context when it is clear. 

This is a very weak statement and communicates to the Russian leadership:  The United States would not take defensive action.  Thus, enemies are strengthened by such tests meant to gauge a response.  

Will the rest of the statement support this assertion, refute it, or be neutral?



People need to understand that this is serious business 
"People" is not only vague, but deliberately avoids identifying the Russians in this case, further emboldening them. To identify the Russians as flying the Russian fighter jet would have been to directly address them.  This is akin to avoiding eye contact with an enemy.  
Please also note that hostile maneuvers are hostile maneuvers making the wording "serious business" unnecessary, therefore, elevating their importance. 
This continues to affirm weakness in the resolve of the subject. 

and the United States is not going to be intimidated on the high seas. 
The future tense further weakens the statement.  It is likely that this did, in fact, intimidate the "United States" and is to also avoid warning retaliation for the provocative act.  
We are communicating to the Russians how dangerous this is and our hope is that this will never be repeated.”
Note the present tense with "are communicating" and the word "this", as very close, but what is it that is being communicated?  
Whatever it is, it is grounded in a "hope" that "this" (close) will never be repeated.  
Analysis Conclusion:
The Administration is intimidated, took no counter action and issues a weak statement, which is not a warning, to the Russian government who, as China pointed out, was probing the weakness.  
This follows the continued release of terrorist, the deception of what happened near Iranian waters, and the humiliation of our soldiers by the government of Iran.  

UPDATE:   Another Russian fighter jet has buzzed US warship; this time in the Baltic; two days after this incident.  

11 comments:

John Mc Gowan said...

Russians buzz U.S. reconnaissance plane over Baltic Sea

A Russian jet flew dangerously close to a U.S. reconnaissance plane operating in the Baltic Sea last week, the latest in a string of dangerous encounters with Russian forces in the region, according to the Pentagon.

The Russian aircraft, an SU-27 fighter, operated in an “unsafe and unprofessional” manner when it approached the RC-135 reconnaissance plane, the U.S. military said in a statement Saturday.

Thursday's incident came two days after a U.S. warship operating in the same region was buzzed by Russian aircraft numerous times.

“There have been repeated incidents over the last year where Russian military aircraft have come close enough to other air and sea traffic to raise serious safety concerns, and we are very concerned with any such behavior,” the Pentagon statement said.

On Tuesday, Russian aircraft flew aggressively toward the USS Donald Cook, a destroyer operating in the Baltic Sea. The destroyer suspended flight operations on its deck because of the Russian aircraft.

The Russian Defense Ministry last week denied operating unsafely around the USS Cook and said its pilots “fully observed all safety measures.”

U.S. officials have said the aggressive tactics risk inadvertently triggering an escalation of hostilities between the two countries.

The unsafe and unprofessional actions of a single pilot have the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions between countries, the Pentagon said.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/04/17/russians-buzz-us-reconnaissance-plane-over-baltic-sea/83153980/

Anonymous said...

OT
Hate or more fake hate?
The typed, unsigned letter read: 'Just wanted to let you both know, you have sent an invitation to the wrong people.
'You thought we supported you as a couple, well boys you were so wrong!
'Your invitations were forwarded to an anti-gay group in Canton-Akron area, they will be attending your wedding. Protesters will be there.'
The letter goes on to call gay marriage 'not normal' and 'a sin' and promised that some of their friends would only attend the wedding to protest.
'Like it or not, this is going to happen,' the letter continued. 'This day is going to be ruined for you.
'This is going to be a fun show to watch. You both are going to get what you deserve. See you at the anti-gay show!'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3544483/Love-win-end-Gay-Ohio-couple-hate-filled-guest-threatens-ruin-wedding-bravely-press-local-church-organizes-card-shower-them.html#ixzz466anQGZK
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Anonymous said...

Fake hate? re Anon@1:23 OT

Keith and Chad of Canton were counting down the days until their wedding -- just 30 days to go -- when they got a letter in the mail.

"So I opened it up, I saw it, I read it and I was like it's almost got to be a joke, it doesn't seem real," Keith said.

Read more: http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/31736527/church-hosting-card-shower-for-same-sex-recipients-of-hate-mail#ixzz466ovvF4p

Anonymous said...

"I guess we thought we knew the people that were coming and we didn't know that well," Keith said.

They won't let this letter ruin their wedding.

"Never even crossed my mind -- I never even thought about canceling and quite frankly, other than our initial shock of the letter this made us both want to do it more," Keith said.

"This letter we received yesterday is more of a reason to move forward with it. Love will win in the end, that's what it comes down to," Chad said.

Anonymous said...

The letter begins with a greeting (hello) and full title introduction (Keith Alan and Chad Michael)

For me the greeting is unexpected.
It is also to polite.

"'(dropped pronoun)Just wanted to let you both know, you have sent an invitation( singular) to the wrong people" ("people" and not "address)"

'Your invitations ("invitation", singular, no becomes "invitations" plural, so how many were allegedly sent?) were forwarded to an anti-gay group in Canton-Akron area, they will be attending your wedding. Protesters will be there.'

On this alone i call fake.

John Mc Gowan said...

OT:

Missing woman’s Mini Cooper found at Shenandoah National Park

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — State police are searching for a missing Woodbridge woman whose vehicle was found Saturday evening in Shenandoah County.

Nicole K. Mittendorff, 31, was reported missing Friday, and her abandoned 2009 Mini Cooper was found shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday in a parking lot at the Shenandoah National Park.

State troopers and U.S. Park Police searched for Mittendorff through the night by ground and air and search efforts are still underway.

Mittendorff is described as a white female with blond hair and green eyes. She is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 125 pounds.

A Facebook page devoted to finding Mittendorff said officials do not need volunteers at this time.

“Nicole is still missing. They do not need volunteers and they’ve asked to keep away anyone outside the official effort. That will keep any changes, traces or other items undisturbed and prevent distractions,” the post reads.

Additionally, Mittendorff’s husband, Steven, posted Saturday night he was grateful for the outpouring of support on social media.

“I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has viewed, liked, and shared this page dedicated to finding my wife. I am overwhelmed by the number of calls, texts, and social media messages that I have received, but have not been able to answer. I am reading them or they are being read to me and I appreciate them all during this difficult time; however, responding to them and taking calls is difficult right now.
I must also thank my agency, the Virginia State Police, and the many other agencies (local, state, and federal) who have dedicated so many resources thus far into this investigation. The work is not done however and I continue to ask for your prayers for both our family and the many who continue to investigate.
Please keep sharing to help us get the word out.”


Anyone with information concerning her whereabouts is asked to call Virginia State Police at 703-803-0026.

http://wtvr.com/2016/04/17/nicole-k-mittendorff-missing-woodbridge-vehicle-found-shenandoah-national-park/

Horse chestnut said...

This has GOT to be BS...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3544483/Love-win-end-Gay-Ohio-couple-hate-filled-guest-threatens-ruin-wedding-bravely-press-local-church-organizes-card-shower-them.html

Hey Jude said...

Re the gay wedding RSVP - the tenses are all over the place. Also, 'coming' - it should be 'going'. You go to someone else,s event - people come to yours.

They, or one of them, is hoping for lots of attention, gifts, sympathy and support for their nuptials - what they anticipate the community response will be to what they 'deserve'. Wannabe Victims. Entitlement, much. IMO.

John Mc Gowan said...

A few red flags within my OT above.

Brief analysis.


“I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has viewed, liked, and shared this page dedicated to finding my wife. I am overwhelmed by the number of calls, texts, and social media messages that I have received, but have not been able to answer. I am reading them or they are being read to me and I appreciate them all during this difficult time; however, responding to them and taking calls is difficult right now.
I must also thank my agency, the Virginia State Police, and the many other agencies (local, state, and federal) who have dedicated so many resources thus far into this investigation. The work is not done however and I continue to ask for your prayers for both our family and the many who continue to investigate.
Please keep sharing to help us get the word out.”


He begins with the possessive pronoun "I" This is a good start.

We note where a person begins their statement, and note priority.

Her husband, says.

1) “I wanted to"

Priority.

This shows doubt in what he wants to say. Has he thought about "what he wants to say" has another questioned his statement?. This would explain "wanted"

2) "a moment"

Note this shows limitation on what he wants to say. Why?

"to thank everyone who has viewed, liked, and shared this page dedicated to finding my wife. I am overwhelmed by the number of calls, texts, and social media messages that I have received, but have not been able to answer."

Order is important and often shows priority.

"to thank everyone who has viewed, liked, and shared this page dedicated to finding my wife.

He thanks people on social media. This comes before he mentions his "wife."

"my wife"

He uses the possessive pronoun "my", which is good. However, this is an "incomplete social introduction" which is noted to be distancing language.

We still wait to see if he says her name.

He does not as yet.

"I must also thank my agency, the Virginia State Police, and the many other agencies (local, state, and federal) who have dedicated so many resources thus far into this investigation. The work is not done however and I continue to ask for your prayers for both our family and the many who continue to investigate.
Please keep sharing to help us get the word out.”


The praising of "agency's" et al, is unexpected. She has not been found, alive, or dead.



"I continue to ask for your prayers for both our family and the many who continue to investigate.
Please keep sharing to help us get the word out.”


Note. There is NO prayers for his wife to come home safe.

He does NOT call her by name.

Form:


Number of words: 142 words.

He uses "My wife" 6 letters, 2 words, no name once. He dedicates most to thanking LE and social media..

I don't see any deception. But, i do see, lots of distancing language.

Anonymous said...

Hey Jude and Bobcat, when I first read of the gay wedding invitation response, the blue flags of SA were jumping off of the page!
(Second thought was heading here to read what you all noticed, those who believe it's real and those who don't. :^D)

Especially with the entire message being "you people" "what's wrong with you" and "you are an abomination," the repeated use of "this" referring to the "show" planned really reads as odd.

Also, if it's a complete stranger, they hand-deliver an anonymous (of course) hate screed instead of simply hitting reply to a random e-mail or Facebook invite?

And if the invitation is misdelivered, who didn't receive theirs?

If you really want to blow up someone's wedding, to the level of organizing hate groups to crash (and what, leap up and scream Bible quotes at the "if anyone here believes this wedding should not take place..." part?)

They also used proper acronyms and terminology for the LBGT terminology, not fitting the context and ugly tone.

Anonymous said...

When I first read this story, one man was quoted clarifying that the alleged ugly response came from a stranger who received someone's invitation accidentally.

He also specifically used the acronyms when referring to the hate groups supposedly planning to crash.

This one still smells ripe, but I can see how a terribly written article, especially some idiot trying to juice up the drama, could make actual victims look like greedy liars.