No one has to die to participate in a democracy.

There is nothing to prevent any group in the Crimea to organize a political party. As a matter of fact every minority needs representation in the legislature, otherwise they will never be understood by the rest of the country. How are they going to become a part of the country if they aren't heard from?

There is no reason for Russia to be penalized for their leases at a port at Sevastopol. It is an income for the Ukraine. It is also security. If Russia were a friend and not confused with a real enemy this would mean there is a major power within 'asking distance' if anything goes wrong.

For far too long there has been this 'black or white' loyalty issue. That is nonsense. There is absolutely nothing to say the Ukraine cannot have productive economic relations with Europe, the USA and Russia. Heck there is nothing saying the Ukraine cannot be a trading partner with China either. 

The Ukraine is not going to be punished by any nation for their ability to produce products others would like to import. A balance of trade is vital to every nation. The Ukraine, in conference with the IMF, needs to discuss the opportunity of 'trade relation trips' of the leadership.

You know, when the USA opened 'trust relationships' with Russia it was first based in CULTURE. 

At one time the Bolshoi would tour the USA, now there are USA students that study there. See below.

It takes an initiative to change the relationship between countries. The less a country knows about AND respects another nation the more they are likely to fear each other. After the cultural ventures things moved faster. The American people realized how at least one aspect of Russia was absolutely magnificent. What followed were scientists and university leaders talking to each other about academics. The relationship between the USA and Russia grew. What didn't happen was the stupid political rhetoric stopping.

There is a lot that has happened between Ukraine leaders and Russia. There is nothing to say it is going to be easy to bridge that divide. But, it can happen. Blame it on the fear and the fact neither party was trying very hard to stop the fear and hatred.

The constructs of peace are very important. Why? Because peace is perfect. Peace doesn't demand a competitive edge in economics or military might. Peace provides for benevolence. Call it a rebirth of peace in the Ukraine, but, perhaps it can show the world how peace is made and how it works best. The world needs a country to provide the insight and will to make peace a priority.

Pro-Russian Cossacks rally outside the Crimean parliament building in Simferopol, Ukraine, on Feb. 28, 2014. (Sean Gallup / AFP/Getty Images / February 28, 2014)

By Sergei L. Loiko and Carol J. Williams

February 28, 2014, 3:22 p.m.

KIEV, Ukraine – Authorities (click here) closed airspace over Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and at least five Russian transport planes landed at a military air strip near the regional capital late Friday, as the country’s acting president accused Moscow of trying to seize territory.

A duty officer at the Simferopol airport said that all commercial takeoffs and landings had been canceled from the Crimean regional capital’s airport for at least 24 hours. In Kiev, Oxana Ozhigova, a spokeswoman for the Ukrainian capital’s Borispol airport, confirmed that flights to and from Simferopol had been suspended.

Ukrainian news media reported disruptions “by unknown persons” of telephone and Internet communications, and said that the Krym regional television station had been surrounded by gunmen.

The ominous military and security moves appeared intended to demonstrate the Kremlin’s determination to secure its leased port at Sevastopol, from which Russian naval might is projected to the world. Crimea hosts the Russian Black Sea fleet and has the largest population of Russian speakers in Ukraine....