RUSH: Here is Gary, Culver City, California. You’re next on the EIB-Network, hello.

CALLER: Hey, good morning, Rush. Thank you so much for taking my call.

RUSH: You bet, sir. Thank you.

CALLER: You truly are a national treasure. Thank you so much. So I’m gonna get right to it. This morning I was looking at my local news before you came on, and I heard a story, I didn’t quite believe it, and it said basically Vladimir Putin is quoted as supporting Israel’s defense of its citizens. And I went, “Really?” I went online, I —

RUSH: (laughing).

CALLER: I couldn’t believe it. So I’m just gonna read this to you, Rush.

RUSH: How do you analyze that?

CALLER: “President Vladimir Putin of Russia said, Thursday, that he was closely following events in Israel. Referring to the Protective Edge campaign against rocket attacks originating in Gaza, Putin told rabbis from Israel and Europe, ‘I support Israel’s struggle, which is intended to protect its citizens.'” Where is Barry?

RUSH: Wait a minute. Wait a second. Before we get to Obama in that context, what do you think Putin is doing?

CALLER: Oh, he’s doing what he always does. He’s playing both sides. Once again, there’s a vacuum, right? And what have you been teaching us for years? You know, when there’s a vacuum, the bad guy’s gonna come in. I mean, I don’t trust Putin as far as I can throw him.

RUSH: When is the last time you heard Putin or any Soviet Russian leader speak up for Israel?

CALLER: I don’t remember a time.

RUSH: Right. Now, in what context did Putin do it?

CALLER: He was speaking to a group of rabbis from Israel and from Europe quoted on Israel National News.

RUSH: The context was, they have a right to defend themselves.

CALLER: Yes, sir.

RUSH: Well, when he says that, he then gives himself an automatic explanation for what he’s doing in Ukraine —

CALLER: Got it.

RUSH: — and Crimea. And at the same time, he is belittling Obama. He’s saying, “Look at me, I’m bigger than Obama. Obama won’t say this about your own ally, and I will.”

CALLER: Good gosh.

RUSH: There’s all kinds of — I mean, I’m glad you caught that because that is a fascinating, that’s a teachable moment, what’s happening there. Meanwhile, what’s Barry doing? Barry is in Austin, Texas, or in Colorado shooting pool, wishing he could accept an offer of a joint and then going to a public theater and making a speech all about how woe is him ’cause the Republicans want to sue him. Meanwhile, here’s Putin propping up Israel. And where’s Kerry? John Kerry’s over with the ChiComs playing the guitar, and when he finished there, he flew to Afghanistan.