Article

2003-04-17 Europe

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Posted by Frank G 2003-04-17 01:16 pm|| || Front Page|| [13 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Didn't quite know where to post this Fred - move as you see fit

Posted by Frank G 2003-04-17 13:22:18|| 2003-04-17 13:22:18|| Front Page Top

#2 Create an "Axis of Weasels" category.

Is Vlad the Putin behind this killing?

Posted by KP 2003-04-17 13:43:21|| 2003-04-17 13:43:21|| Front Page Top

#3 well now we have a standard - if we can create a government in Iraq that is more democratic and rule of law focused then the government of Russia, we've succeeded!!!!

Makes me think once again i should read Fareed Zakaria on "illiberal democracy" which is what Russia is.

Yeltsins big mistake was in never grooming a successor or institutionaling his popularity with an alliance with reformers. Clinton's mistake was trusting Yeltsins strategy. Bush's mistake seems to have been trusting his own vibes on Putin.

Posted by liberalhawk 2003-04-17 13:52:09|| 2003-04-17 13:52:09|| Front Page Top

#4 "... a pistol with a silencer was found near the scene."

Pro hit. Shoot, drop weapon, walk away calmly.

Posted by Anonymous 2003-04-17 13:52:34|| 2003-04-17 13:52:34|| Front Page Top

#5 Anonymous - exactly! makes me think it's either ex-kgb or the russian mafia - he's pissed off enough of the "elite"...maybe it was one of the hitmen on the list Putin gave Saddam?

Posted by Frank G 2003-04-17 13:58:31|| 2003-04-17 13:58:31|| Front Page Top

#6 Vlad is feeling the heat so he sets for the natural rythm of russia politics....

Create a permanent place for the axis of weasels...web blogging is the only medium where the framed context of media control can be exposed and reframed...1000 cheers to you and yours for bringing interactive context to reported news!

Posted by AnonymousLy yours 2003-04-17 14:07:15|| 2003-04-17 14:07:15|| Front Page Top

#7 Europe is good for Russia, I think.

I actually regard Putin as a big improvement over Yeltsin. Yeltsin should have been a hero, but he turned out to be a drunk with a family and feet of clay. Putin should have been a nightmare, but he's turned out to be firm enough to control the anarchy that flourished while Yeltsin was lapsing further into the DTs, but not harsh enough to stifle the democratic impulses unfolding in Russia. He's the subtle type who doesn't assassinate most of his political adversaries...

Posted by Fred 2003-04-17 14:09:20|| 2003-04-17 14:09:20|| Front Page Top

#8 I agree that Putin is an improvement Fred, I just don't like when we get all doe-eyed over the guy. He's smart, ruthless, and, if in Russia's interest, an ally.

Posted by Frank G 2003-04-17 15:37:28|| 2003-04-17 15:37:28|| Front Page Top

#9 I prefer Putin to most Russian alternatives... We should have been able to "flip" him with incentives, but we didn't, and at least he didn't deceive us, and rush around proactively "weaseling" ala DeVillipen.
Little Dominique, on the other hand, has big aspirations and it will be so sad when he is left crying in his french wine on the Left bank.

Posted by Capsu78 2003-04-17 16:08:07|| 2003-04-17 16:08:07|| Front Page Top

#10 I'm figuring this whacked guy had the only bid in on some pre-babylonian steele, but it didn't meet the confidential reserve.

Posted by Scott 2003-04-17 18:19:29|| 2003-04-17 18:19:29|| Front Page Top

#11 Never forget, Putin was a KGB agent. He didn't survive for long in that atmosphere by being nice or by being unable to hide his tracks. This guy actually has done some dirty work. He wouldn't be that easy to "flip" or manipulate.

Posted by Baba Yaga 2003-04-17 20:03:19|| 2003-04-17 20:03:19|| Front Page Top

#12 "...it's either ex-kgb or the russian mafia..."

What, y'mean there's a difference?

Posted by mojo 2003-04-17 23:56:38|| 2003-04-17 23:56:38|| Front Page Top

17:20 Shana
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