[Luis Gonzalez]

But this seems to be the final stages of the rollback into full-fledged communism.

Now, hang around and watch FReepers defend Putin.

[Askel5]

I'm hanging out here to read about Putin and the hurricane solely. Trust me ... I've no desire to wretch by reading the moronic comments of faithbased sychophants who've bought the Pootie-Poot "soul" story just as surely as they bought the ballyhooed "fall of communism."

Sickens me. I'm angry that they are being taken for a ride by those who sure as hell know better and I try to avoid contempt where possible.

[nuconvert]

I know I was attacked for daring to question how he handled Beslan.
The Putin sympathizers have been out in force. I don't understand it. Everyone got all mushy on him after Beslan.

[GBA]

I personally hope that you're wrong about the idea of Russia becoming the Soviet Union again. Certainly looks possible, though.

You've got some of the elements necessary: a very popular leader, an enemy that the common everyday citizen can recognize, a nostalgia for past national greatness and glory, gradual and not so gradual steps toward a consolidation of power, a populace willing to surrender liberty for the illusion of safety, etc.

Historically, in Europe and other places, we've seen these conditions lead to a very grim place.

[flaminco]

"But this seems to be the final stages of the rollback into full-fledged communism. Now, hang around and watch FReepers defend Putin."

Full fledged Communism? Unlikely. Putin is just setting up an old fashioned dictatorship. When Putin took out Yukos I began to wonder if he had plans to stick around after his constitutionally mandated second term. The answer is no longer in question. Putin is pretty slick. He will probably create a post for himself which is unelected but which still holds much of the power of the presidency. He will become the power behind the presidency is my guess.

There is no denying the popularity of Putin, even in Russia. Events seem to be playing into his hands. This isn't good news for Russia, but will probably represent a long relatively stable period for Russian foreign relations.