>> Though I do not share the love for Putin some folks around here have,
I suppose you’re being facetious.
Not really, no. I have been flamed and insulted by more than one person here for criticizing Putin. He’s the cat’s pajamas to a few folks around here, and I’m apparently (among other things) a liberal spy or something for pointing out his failings, and clinging to the somehow absurd notion that Putin is not our buddy just because he does a couple things that appeal to us (standing up to gay activists, etc.).