I really hope that some of the more sanguine-sounding comments regarding possible shooting war between Russian and American troops are the work of agents-provocateurs waiting to link the comments as evidence of “warmongering neo-cons” or some such rot. I myself am worried that any such head-to-head confrontation would indeed be sanguine… rather too much so.

Likewise, I hope those leaving comments recommending annihilation or Russia or Russians are all direct descendants of e.g. Poles killed in 1920 or others who similarly suffered at Soviet hands, who are merely working out personal grief issues.

While utter destruction is one option offered in “The Prince” as a wise fate for a defeated enemy, it’s not one that agrees with the American character. Friendship would be preferable (Note however, putting someone on the dole is not friendship — US policy towards Russia since victory in the Cold War has been utterly without Machiavellian finesse.)