Putting Putin into perspective.

I measure political success by the degree of happiness achieved by/for all of the affected parties. Take the happenings in Crimea. The Russians and the Crimean are happy. Because they got exactly what they wanted. The people in the remainder of Ukraine should be happy because they no longer have the Crimea albatross around their necks.   And the U.S. and Europe should be happy because Ukraine will now likely become more Pro-West. Yes, everybody wins.  Happiness all around. Reason to celebrate. By putting Putin's political genius into proper perspective. He's helped make everybody a winner. –Jim Broede