Willy Wonka Diplomacy!

I watched with more than passing interest the events leading up to the alleged “referendum” that took place in Eastern Ukraine on May 11, 2014.  I even listened several days prior, as Vladimir Putin was advising the Pro-Russian Separatists to refrain from holding this rather bizarre election.  If anyone who reads this ever saw the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, then Putin’s words will remind you of Willy Wonka telling the children, “don’t”, “stop.”  There was no real meaning to his words, and even less impact.  Just like in the movie, where the children did whatever it was regardless of these pointless admonitions, the Pro-Russian Separatists held their referendum.  The meaninglessness of this exercise was brought to the forefront even before the trumped up results were announced.  I knew the “fix was in” when a leader of the Separatists in the Donetsk Region said that “Once the results are announced from the referendum, then Donetsk will form a military, and all other forces will be seen as occupiers.”  Either this guy has precognitive powers beyond our comprehension, or the election was rigged.  Gee, what do you think? ~ Michael S. Pauley