Russian Dissident Discusses Obama's "Flexibility" Comment- Video

The Daily Caller posted this video of Russian dissident and Vladimir Putin critic, Pavel Stroilov, discussing his take on Barack Obama's private chat with Dmitry Medvedev discussing missile defense while attending a summit in Korea this past March. That same chat that neither realized had been caught on audiotape when Obama told Dmitry to give him space, since he would have more "flexibility" once he was re-elected.

London-based Stroilov claims there are many who have been very disappointed" with Obama's foreign policy the past four years and is not thrilled with what another four might bring. He criticizes Obama for buckling to the worst dictators, and letting down all the democracies and allies of the U.S. and the West.

Regarding his interpretation of the hot mic incident, he says, speaking for Obama:

“This means, ‘I can’t do it now, because American voters do not want it. But I don’t care what American voters want, I care what my friend Vladimir wants. I will do it. Just give me some time to fool the American voters, to pretend I am tougher than I really am, and then we will fix it, don’t worry."

“I mean, I can’t read it in any other way. I am sorry if that sounds disrespectful towards your president, but that’s what it means in English.” 

"Throw Putin Out"- Russian Punk Group Faces Jail For Blasphemy

An anti-Putin protest song has landed 3 members of a Russian female punk rock group 'Pussy Riot'- yes, that's the name- in major trouble. They could be sentenced for up to 7 years in prison, for- get this- blasphemy against the Russian Orthodox Church. Apparently, during the numerous anti-Putin riots in February four of them barged into a Church and performed their impromptu punk protest- see video below- and as a result are facing the charge of "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred or hostility." Other than some obscenities, all they were asking was to "throw Putin out." I'm trying very hard, here, to figure out the blasphemy angle. Do the Russians consider Putin a religious figure, or maybe God? Is that where the blasphemy comes in?

Glad to see the Russian government continues to be as repressive as it was during Communist rule, and that the Russian Orthodox Church is so enamored of Putin and his ways.



UPDATE 8/17/2012:

Pussy Riot members sentenced to 2 years in jail!

Source BBC, TelegraphUK

Gorbachez Claims Russian Electoral System Needs Major Revamp

I've been complaining about our electoral system recently, and I firmly believe something needs to be done, but our problematic system pales in comparison to those of other countries- Russia, case in point. Even Mikhail Gorbachev (the last leader of the former U.S.S.R) has been critical of Vladimir Putin's recent political shenanigans:

"Something is wrong with our elections, and our electoral system needs a major adjustment."

This, in response to the Russian government's refusal to allow opposition candidate, former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, to be placed on the ballot for the upcoming March 2 presidential elections. They are claiming that 13% of more than 2 million signatures necessary to participate in the elections are invalid. You might recall that Kasyanov's campaign has been fraught with troubles including voter intimidation by Putin's side. Putin is hell-bent on making sure his hand-picked successor Dmitri Medvedev (first deputy prime minister) gets the post. Why? Because Medvedev will pick Putin as his P.M. and Putin, though he can't serve a 3rd term, can serve as P.M. and Putin does not , in any way, want to relinquish power. He might not be President but he will still be ruling the roost.

As flawed as our system is, at least most everyone has the chance to run for President, even odd-balls like Mike Gravel on the left, and Ron Paul on the right, and all the other bizarre assortment of candidates that wind up on our ballots in November. At least we live in a democracy where we can vote!

Putin and Chavez: Election Fraud and Election Defeat

We had 2 elections on opposite ends of the world this past Sunday. Similar in kind. 2 countries with leaders who engage in anti-democratic activities. Both imperialists at heart. Each, in his own inimitable and infamous fashion, trying to bully his way to the top of the global hierarchy of power. Both countries with elections which would have allowed them to remain in power indefinitely.

Putin and Chavez, comrades of sorts, one a winner, the other a loser.

Not surprisingly, there have been widespread allegations of voter fraud, intimidation and coercion in the Russian elections. Elections which will effectively allow ex-KGB Vladimir (old habits die hard) Putin to remain as "national leader" even after his term limit as President ends next spring. Gary Gasparov, former chess champion and opposition leader, claimed the election was

“the most unfair and dirtiest in the whole history of modern Russia.”

Russia’s opposition groups and European observers criticized the vote as unfair, citing reports of pressure exerted by election authorities and workplace managers for Russians to vote for Putin’s party.

Little wonder his party won in a landslide victory. Ironically, even the Communist Party called it

“the most irresponsible and dirty” in the post-Soviet era and party officials vowed to challenge the results,

after they only won about 50 seats in the 450 seat Russian State Duma. Putin's United Russia party landed a whopping 315 seats.

On December 17 the presidential candidate is due to be named, although everyone knows whoever Congress happens to choose will merely serve as a puppet figure, with Putin handily pulling the strings. Which is why there was such a concerted effort to forcibly get out the vote, illegal or not.

Then we have Hugo (look at me) Chavez who lost, by a very slim margin, the constitutional vote which would have granted him, among other things, the power to be re-elected in perpetuity. I thought there would have been rampant voter fraud in that election, but Chavez was surprisingly level-headed and gracious when he conceded that the Venezuelan people are obviously not ready for a full blown socialist state, and that he learned from these elections that

"Venezuelan democracy is maturing."

He also called for no more violence:

"From this moment on, let's be calm," [snip] "There is no dictatorship here."

No dictatorship? Perhaps not in the near future, but we shall see what transpires over the next few years. Frankly, I don't trust him. The man is far too devious to suddenly change his way of being. I'm convinced there were ulterior motives for this concession, and that it's not some miraculous, sudden change of heart.

First and foremost, he (or his advisors) probably realized his recent, bizarre demeanour on the global front has been alienating rather endearing him to other leaders. He's been shunned and told to shut up by leaders of Spain, Colombia, Saudi Arabia. I'm sure he's aware that he needs allies other than his pal Ahmadinejad, so showing a little good sense might might curry favour amongst those who have lost their patience with his bluster and bully tactics. He shows some tolerance, a little good will - world opinion favours him once again- and he's back to being King Chavez, loved by all.

Furthermore, this sudden acceptance of defeat doesn't necessarily mean that things won't change down the line. As far as Chavez is concerned, anything could happen come 2012. And probably will.