Really? WE sponsored a VIOLENT coup? So you take the purely Russian viewpoint.
Wiki-
After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Ukraine endured years of corruption, mismanagement, lack of economic growth, currency devaluation, and problems in securing funding from public markets.[38][39] Successive Ukrainian governments in the 2000s sought a closer relationship with the European Union (EU).[40][41] One of the measures meant to achieve this was an association agreement with the European Union, which would have provided Ukraine with funds in return for liberalising reforms. President Yanukovych announced his intention to sign the agreement, but ultimately refused to do so at the last minute. This sparked a wave of protests called the "Euromaidan" movement. During these protests Yanukovych signed a treaty and multibillion-dollar loan with Russia. The Ukrainian security forces cracked down on the protesters, further inflaming the situation and resulting in a series of violent clashes in the streets of Kiev. As tensions rose, Yanukovych fled to Russia and did not return.[44]

Russia refused to recognize the new interim government, calling the overthrow of Yanukovych a coup d'état, and began a military intervention in Ukraine. The newly appointed interim government of Ukraine signed the EU association agreement and agreed to reform the country's judiciary and political systems, as well as its financial and economic policies. The International Monetary Fund pledged more than $18 billion in loans contingent on Ukraine's adopting those reforms. The revolution was followed by pro-Russian unrest in some south-eastern regions, a standoff with Russia regarding the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol, and a war between the Ukrainian government and Russia-backed separatists in the Donbass.



The thing to remember about Crimea is it WASN'T PART OF RUSSIA, so no it didn't hold Russia's only black sea port not ice blocked in winter, it held a Ukrainian port Russia LEASED for use by it's black sea fleet from the Ukraine.
It's utter bullshit that Russia found a democratic way to invade and annex Crimea, they militarily invaded, seized and dissolved the democratically elected government by force, created and installed a new pro Russian sham government, then IT signed fake illegal treaties with Russia in violation of international laws and multiple binding treaties.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annexation_of_Crimea_by_the_Russian_Federation

Russian masked troops invade and occupy key Crimean locations, including airports and military bases, following Putin's orders.[2][3]
The head of Ukrainian Navy, Admiral Berezovsky, defects, followed later by half of the Ukrainian military stationed in the region.[4][5][6]
Russian forces seize the Supreme Council (Crimean parliament). The Council of Ministers of Crimea is dissolved and a new pro-Russian Prime Minister installed.[7][8]
The new Supreme Council declares the Republic of Crimea to be an independent, self-governing entity, then holds a referendum on the status of Crimea on 16 March, which results in a majority vote to join the Russian Federation.[9]
Treaty signed between the Republic of Crimea and the Russian Federation at the Kremlin on 18 March to formally initiate Crimea's accession to the Russian Federation.[10]
The Ukrainian Armed Forces are evicted from their bases on 19 March by Crimean protesters and Russian troops. Ukraine subsequently announces the withdrawal of its forces from Crimea.[11]
Russia suspended from G8.[12]
International sanctions introduced on Russia.

You sound distinctly Soviet or ridiculously ignorant in your misrepresentation of the situation. They militarily attacked, invaded, and seized their neighbor, so not a bit restrained, they were not invited in by the government and welcomed....or would you insist they are also exceptionally restrained for not attacking and retaking Anchorage Alaska, their only non winter ice bound port in North America, a port clearly more strategically important than Sebastopol and just as Russian?

Whoa about the Anchorage/Chilkoot Charlies comments !

We've done this with a little Cessna around Anchorage here... I remember spinning my 35mm camera in front of my face for a few seconds.

i live near Anchorage, a town called Wasilla, you may know this as where loons come from.

Yes, a crazy nice nearly snowfree winter is being had. Roads have been fantastic except for maybe 2 days so far. We had maybe 4-5 inches of snow in our yard which, weeks ago, compressed down on some warmer/melty days and then re-froze into a very hard ice pack of just an inch or two thick across the entire yard. Enough to bust your ass for sure.

I bet the snow plowers and snow machiners are lamenting.

According to weather history, Anchorage (the closest I could find) was above freezing until late into November.

This is in the range you see looking West from Anchorage... with Spurr in it.

The reason I tell people I'm from "Just outside of Anchorage" now... instead of "From Wasilla"

That is interesting, hadn't seen it. Not sure of a good solution though? We build huge ungodly expensive series of above ground towers, underground fibers to people literally 600 miles out to get to em. Maybe govt should subsidize their NetFlix. They could also move to Anchorage, or they could practice the remote lifestyle more completely.

Comment hidden because you are ignoring dag. (show it anyway)

I remember a story about a drunk in Anchorage who wandered out on to the mud flats (like quick sand) in Anchorage - he got stuck like that and they called in a helicopter. The tied a line around his chest to pull him out with the chopper, unfortunately, only his top half came unstuck. His bottom half stayed in the mud. He ... did not survive.

Same flats, a lady on her honeymoon was slowly sinking in, rescue crew was all around her, and her husband too - she kept sinking, even with all of the rescue workers trying their best. As it got up to her face, they put a straw in her mouth. Her eyes were the last thing to go ... her husband got to say goodbye at least.

Not to be fucked with, this stuff.

Comment hidden because you are ignoring dag. (show it anyway)

I think it's Matanuska glacier, near Anchorage Alaska.

see
http://articles.ktuu.com/2012-09-21/anchorage-police_34009358

>> ^PoweredBySoy:

>> ^EvilDeathBee:
Well, there goes that global warming theory out the window!

Awwww, I was hoping to make an 'in before dipshit global warming comment!', but I guess not.


Nevermind. You'll understand sarcasm someday

>> ^EvilDeathBee:

Well, there goes that global warming theory out the window!


Awwww, I was hoping to make an 'in before dipshit global warming comment!', but I guess not.

why not helicopter lower a giant metal dam completely around the animal, i am sure one is standing by?

As I recall we have had people pulled apart by vehicular attempts to extract them from the Anchorage mud flats

I remember when this happened. Was followed pretty closely by all Alaskan news stns. They were hiring extras in Anchorage for this. They're currently hiring extras for another one, cant remember what. Alaska gives a lot of tax credits for TV/film production up here, there must be 15 reality shows right now about Alaska. (Thank Palin I think for sparking "interest".)