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Did Putin Get His Idea to Invade Ukraine from a Seinfeld Episode?

It’s been said that all of life’s questions can be found in the Godfather. The Joe Fox character in You’ve Got Mail made that point several times.

“Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
“It’s not personal; it’s business.”
“I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
“Go to the mattresses.”

Classic wisdom for the ages.

The episodes of Seinfeld do not lend themselves to wisdom, except to do the opposite of what Jerry, George, Kramer, and Elaine would do. George learned this when he chose to do the opposite of what he would usually do; and it worked.

Then there was “The Bizarro Jerry” episode. The opposite world of Jerry, George, Kramer, and Elaine:

We mustn’t forget “The Label Maker” episode where Kramer and Newman are playing the world conquering board game Risk and the subject of Ukraine comes up.

Kramer and Newman are on the subway playing the game trying to avoid outside interference:

Newman: Uh, I can’t think! It’s all this noise…

Kramer: Or is it because I’ve built a stronghold around Greenland, I’ve driven you out of Western Europe, and I’ve left you teetering on the brink of complete annihilation?

Newman: I’m not beaten yet! I still have armies in the Ukraine.

Kramer: The Ukraine? You know what the Ukraine is, it’s a sitting duck. A road apple, Newman. The Ukraine is weak. It’s feeble. I think it’s time to put the hurt on the Ukraine…

Ukrainian passenger: I come from Ukraine; you not say Ukraine weak!

Kramer: Yeah, well, we’re playing a game here, pal.

Ukrainian passenger: Ukraine is game to you?! How ’bout I take your little board and smash it?!

Putin must have been watching a rerun of the episode during the Olympics when he decided to follow Kramer’s assessment. Putin must have figured that this is the way Americans saw Ukraine.

Something to think about.

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