Taking Small Hostages

The Russians have discovered a resource in which they are rich, and which they believe can be used as a bargaining chip when they have to deal with thorny issues like human rights and internal dissension.

Children.

Orphan children, specifically. They make such charming little hostages.

There are plenty of them to go around in Russia, for reasons running from alcoholism to abandonment in the face of economic devastation.

The Americans were the first to be faced with hostage negotiations after the Russians decreed that none of their valuable orphans could be turned over to loving American homes because the American government had the audacity to question some of Putin's machinations. The mysterious death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky in a Russian prison is not going away quietly, to Putin's aggravation. He's the new tsar, of course, and if he decides that someone is making things hot for him, well, off with their heads. Anyone who dares to question him? Off with their heads too.

Outcry from parents on the verge of adopting an orphan caused an uproar, but it was all negative publicity for Russia. Using children for political gain is seen as a step too far, an act of a psychopath, cold and calculating.

It must have worked, however, because Putin and his minions are at it again, but this time it's little Ireland in the cross hairs.

The Irish government is about to enact a law aimed to naming and shaming Russian officials involved in the death of an anti-Putin lawyer, following America's lead. They have been duly warned by the ambassador that there will be consequences, and that consequence will be a ban on adoption of Russian orphans by Irish parents.

Any slap to a member of the EU is felt by all, and so the EU is now being pushed towards making a gesture to Russia, to support Ireland's new legislation.

What next? Why, there'll be no adoptions allowed by EU residents, of course, and will Russia feel the pinch with its orphanages full?

No. Their orphans are hell-holes that make Ireland's industrial schools seem a relative paradise, and they don't care.

All those unloved, mentally-damaged young people can be fed into the armed forces and serve a purpose for Mother Russia. If they don't survive their childhood, it's less expense to the state. Either outcome is acceptable.

People know what becomes of the orphans if they don't get out of Russia, and the Russians play on loving hearts with a master's cynical touch.

They count on politicians like Olivia Mitchell to weaken and encourage her fellow legislators to back off and avoid angering Vlad the Child Impaler. There are many Irish citizens who would be heartbroken when the child they thought was coming isn't. Can't have the people sad, can we? Why worry about lawyer; he should have kept quiet about corruption and such.

Go along to get along. Keep the peace.

It's all about saving those poor orphan children. Or is it?