The notorious Mafia hitman the Iceman described a particularly gruesome murder. He smiled as he said, “They wanted to send a message.” That’s what Putin is doing. Destruction of the women’s and children’s hospital, and huge refugee columns, aren’t only gratuitous brutality. They are Putin’s message. To Ukraine: Give up or face devastation. To US and NATO: I have no mercy, but I do have nukes, so STAY OUT.