(CNN) -- The spectacle of Russia swallowing pieces of a neighboring country while claiming to defend its people would make George Orwell grimace with recognition. This weekend's charade, a "referendum" in which we're told more than 96% voted to join Russia, fits perfectly with the Orwellian narrative. In this twilight zone of make-believe, Russian troops invade after removing the insignias from their uniforms and Putin explains, "You can go to a store and buy a uniform," claiming they are local "self-defense forces." Maybe Crimean shops also sell machine guns and armored personnel carriers. In this world of double-speak and misinformation, Moscow is manipulating the message, intimidating, twisting facts and lying -- the more absurd the propaganda the better.
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Frida Ghitis: Putin's talk of "democracy" is double-speak and unfounded lies
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Ghitis: The 96% vote to join Russia is far from an accurate reflection of the popular will
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Ghitis: Putin's warnings about threats to ethic Russians hint at an expanded invasion
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She says U.S., Europe must unite to convince Putin the costs of invasion are dear
This tactic was not invented by @placeholder; it left a fetid track in the history of European empire-building, ethnic cleansing and warfare.
The long-term goal is to convince @placeholder that the use of force is counterproductive, that the costs outweigh the benefits.