What do DUers think about Vladimir Putin's "reelection"?

[JohnLocke]

Quite easy when you control the entire state media, no? :eyes:
---
And look here: Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan congratulated Putin:

"President Pervez Musharraf has congratulated Mr. Vladimir Putin on his re-election as President of the Russian Federation in yesterday's Presidential election.
In his message to Mr. Putin the President expressed the confidence that his outstanding qualities as a leader will take Russia to new heights of economic social and technological achievements.
General Pervez Musharraf expressed hope that the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries will be further strengthened in the days to come."

From one fake president to another...

[nborders]

1. Mixed blessing

I believe That the country would be stronger with a legitimate and supported opposition. Besides this, I do believe the Putin is the best thing for the unification of the country.

Russians will have to be carefully to not fall into their historical id and become complacent with a Strong leader. Next thing they'll have is another dictator.

~n

[mdmc]

2. I disagree. It is not easy

Recognize that Putin is stable, in a world that is UTTER CHAOS. That is why he won the election.

[JohnLocke]

3. Kick (nt).

[NJCher]

4. it's frightening and it makes me unhappy

He secured power by eliminating his rivals and through taking over the media.

True democracy does not feel so threatened that it needs to this.

I truly feel for the people of Russia. How will they ever get rid of this guy; he has years to secure his power base.


Cher

[holeinboatoutatsea]

5. not only control the media

but put opposition billionaires in jail.

has a way of making people think twice.

I wouldn't want to look into that man's soul. I have a feeling what I would find, and I think it would be dark.

[mdmc]

6. Anyone catch the cartoonist Toles' take on this election

A guy in jail, ball and chained, casting a vote for Putin. I forgot what the punch line was.

[JohnLocke]

10. Here it is:

[DianeG5385]

7. I think he would love for Bush to be gone

Bush has created an unstable world, that's where the big dudes get their profiteering profits from. He will be paid back when he leaves office, unless he is exposed as a fraud. If the corps. get their moneys worth, they will pay off bush. More unearned money to a guy who never made an honest buck in his life

[holeinboatoutatsea]

8. One thing Russia likes

is that the US is slowly, but surely, making big time enemies of the Chinese. It is not clear to see, because the US imports damn near everything from China these days, but just think a year or two ahead.

China has the manufacturing. The access to oil and cheap labor (cheaper than even in the US where the minimum wage hasn't been raised in many years and people are becoming proper peasants). China has the clout. The US has the weapons. For now.

Russia loves a good US-China soap opera.

[JohnLocke]

9. We're losing our manufacturing base.

It's very dangerous to become dependent on any one country, especially China, which has nuclear weapons, a large military, and recently sent off their "taikonaut" (astronaut).

[Aidoneus]

12. longer than a couple years, I'd say.. they can afford to be patient

China has a bit more development in the economy needed before it can do something like that, and needs to wrestle a few markets away from US/Japan, but at this rate that's as much a foregone conclusion as the Butcher of Grozny's recent re-election (to tie this post back to the original thread-starter). I was surprised that he only got 70ish%.

[Mick Knox]

11. He didnt get a higher % of votes than Saddam!

He's in second place... better luck next time.