Putin Adds New Twist to "Arms" Race
"Vould you vant tickets to my gun show?"Photo credit: Dmitry Astakhov, Presidential Press Service, RIA-Novosti/AP
In what the Russian press roundly considers a bit of a “shock,” Russia’s head man, President Vladimir Putin was shown in a series of photos spending some time without a shirt on during his vacation in the Siberian mountains last week. The rustle of gossip and conjecture involved in seeing the “Russian Bare” is making the Russian media ask: What is he trying to say?
Gay activists say that the married (and very straight) president is saying he wishes to see a more enlightened view of homosexuality in his country. The talking heads guess he’s telling his competitors that he’s not ready to step down as an important figure in Russia’s political landscape. Women in his country are saying, “WOW…not bad at all for a 54-year old!” Some news commentators have said the photos are indecent. Others say he may have lost his mind.
I think I have a simpler answer: The man was on vacation.
Look, I understand that as a world political leader you are under a certain kind of public magnifying glass. And yeah, I know that very little of their moves AREN’T planned (I watched The West Wing, you know). But seriously…the man is out in the mountains doing what he likes to do! Putin is a DUDE. He’s into judo and has a military background. He’s the anti-Yeltsin. His face gets red because he’s gone running, not because of a massive vodka bender.
I guess it just goes to show that we live in a society that loves the drama. For the world and Russian press to be going gah-gah and ascribing absurd theories as to WHY this is happening really cracks me up! If he decided to strip down during a parliamentary discussion, THAT should makes news! But during his personal free time? C’mon guys…give the man a break.
Instead of pooh-poohing the incident as a flexing of political muscle, I applaud Putin for being upfront and showing us his accessible side. If anything, the incident gives his people the sense that he is like one of them and is trying to close the gap between power and the people. And by my untrained eye, he looks good while doing it. Well, look at that picture. He’s not a spring chicken…but DANG! Can you imagine Cheney or Bush pulling off the topless look?
Never mind. I think I just threw up a little in my mouth at the thought.
Gay activists say that the married (and very straight) president is saying he wishes to see a more enlightened view of homosexuality in his country. The talking heads guess he’s telling his competitors that he’s not ready to step down as an important figure in Russia’s political landscape. Women in his country are saying, “WOW…not bad at all for a 54-year old!” Some news commentators have said the photos are indecent. Others say he may have lost his mind.
I think I have a simpler answer: The man was on vacation.
Look, I understand that as a world political leader you are under a certain kind of public magnifying glass. And yeah, I know that very little of their moves AREN’T planned (I watched The West Wing, you know). But seriously…the man is out in the mountains doing what he likes to do! Putin is a DUDE. He’s into judo and has a military background. He’s the anti-Yeltsin. His face gets red because he’s gone running, not because of a massive vodka bender.
I guess it just goes to show that we live in a society that loves the drama. For the world and Russian press to be going gah-gah and ascribing absurd theories as to WHY this is happening really cracks me up! If he decided to strip down during a parliamentary discussion, THAT should makes news! But during his personal free time? C’mon guys…give the man a break.
Instead of pooh-poohing the incident as a flexing of political muscle, I applaud Putin for being upfront and showing us his accessible side. If anything, the incident gives his people the sense that he is like one of them and is trying to close the gap between power and the people. And by my untrained eye, he looks good while doing it. Well, look at that picture. He’s not a spring chicken…but DANG! Can you imagine Cheney or Bush pulling off the topless look?
Never mind. I think I just threw up a little in my mouth at the thought.
posted by Lillian T. White @ 5:26 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home