Agree with you. Putin is trying for a new style of Soviet dictatorship. Many Freepers are whacked. I'll take the Vietnam vet, thanks.
As a Cold War vet, my proudest moment was watching the Berlin Wall come down and witness the spread of freedom to Eastern Europe. All I see with Putin is a guy who wants to bring back the Soviet Union or maybe go back even further and have himself crowned Czar. I feel sad for the Russian people and agree his neighbors need to stay vigilant.