Rom,
That about sums it up.
The history of Crimea is also conveniently ignored or forgotten. How many recall that Soviet President Khrushev gave Crimea to Ukraine SFSR? How many recall that Crimea was self-governing from 1992 (though declared to remain a part of Ukraine). Who recalls that Ukraine intervened in Crimean politics in 1994 and changed their constitution, and renamed the region, also ousting ELECTED politicians (pro-Russian)? (no one in the west had a hissy fit about that). How many recall that there were calls for rejoining Russia from within Crimea as soon as Ukraine showed signs of complete bankruptcy and instability? Crimea decided to cede from Ukraine after the sacking of the Ukraine government and civil war broke out. On March 17, 2014 Crimea asked to rejoin the Russian Federation. The next day, the Russian Federation agreed.
So now Putin FORCED his way into Crimea? I'd say walked in with a handshake. But we don't want to legitimise this, apparently.
Given there have been tensions over the Crimea since it's gift to Ukraine in 1954, it is hardly a new area of conflict! And Russia has held military establishments on a "lease" program with Crimea and Ukraine since 1997 - Sevastopol Black Sea Fleet in particular.
MH71 was a MISTAKE. By whom, we shall have to wait and see. I sincerely would NOT put it past the Ukrainians for staging the whole entire thing - all those radio/phone calls intercepted seem mighty suspicious and convenient!
How quickly we forget:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_Air_Flight_655. How quickly it is all swept under the carpet... oh, that's right, it was a US military FUBAR... hide it forever...