The Hunt for Red Putin:
Russia's President Vladimir Putin, seen through the glass of C-Explorer 5 submersible after a dive to see the remains of the naval frigate "Oleg", which sank in the 19th century, in the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea, on July 15, 2013
As noted here nearly four years ago in The Strong Horse vs. My Little Pony @ AMERICAN DIGEST:
Lost on the western media and assorted schmos from the blogosphere is the obvious fact that these macho pictures of Putin were not released for their amusement, but for Putin's benefit. And, in the current international climate, they benefit him quite a bit. They benefit Putin and Russia because, for most of the world unblotched by the the crippling "sophistication" of the West, Putin is compared, inevitably, to Barack Obama. And when that happens, it's like comparing a Wild Mustang to My Little Pony....
The problem with Obama when it comes to maintaining balance in the world is that he both sounds weak and looks weak. Indeed, the overall physical impression of Obama from day to day is one of a being that is simultaneously languid, effete, and enervated. The only thing more dangerous in this current era than an American president that is too aggressive is one that is too weak; one that is slight and sapless. This is, indeed, what is being projected from the Obama White House.
To emphasize this perception, Putin wisely put into play a series of photo-ops to underscore how strong and vital he, and by extension, Russia has become. It's playing for the hearts and minds of the weaker countries of the world. With the exception of the morally and spiritually weak nations of the west, it's a winning campaign.
In the Great Game, letting Russia seem strong and America seem weak is a losing proposition for the West and a winning one for Russia.
Posted by gerardvanderleun at July 16, 2013 1:10 PM
If the Kenyan had any stones, he'd steal Bob Kraft's ring back... just to prove that he could. Fuck those assholes at State.
Posted by: Casca at July 16, 2013 1:31 PMI recall when Reagan and Gorbachev were negotiating what turned out to be the surrender and dismemberment of the Soviet Union, the roles were reversed. In particular, on one occasion the two leaders were meeting outside in the cold. Gorbachev came dressed in the Russian fashion with a thick coat and fur hat. Reagan bounded out of the door in just a business suit, and the press then had no problem pointing out the difference in the impression they made. Reagan, impervious to cold and energetic vs. Gorbachev bundled up like a lap dog. My, how times have changed.
Posted by: cw at July 16, 2013 3:38 PMI've been saying for years, I wish we had a Putin.
Posted by: Boot Birnbaum at July 16, 2013 3:50 PMWe need a Pinochet.
Posted by: Lazarus Long at July 16, 2013 4:39 PMI'm available, and I work cheap.
Posted by: Casca at July 16, 2013 5:34 PMPresident Nancy Boy and his brother Mitch are an example of why progressives are bad news for the country.
Having said that: President Ted Nugent would rip Putin's arm off and slap him with it while saying: "Why are you hittin' yourself?"
It is Kipling's World. It has always been, it shall always be, the salons are there on the edifice because Tommy Atkins (in whatever garb) is below.
And the centurion says "Get on, you dogs; did you expect to live forever?"
And the Legionnaires look up, and drop their packs, and fall into their ranks.
And then comes the day when there are no centurions and there are no legionnaires; and the artsy-fartsy dancy-prancy ones look about, and find no one on the metaphorical wall, and no one on the actual wall.
And if I should live so long I shall shall laugh....
Posted by: Mikey NTH at July 16, 2013 8:16 PMWhat we got is Pinocchio.
Posted by: Jewel at July 16, 2013 9:07 PM
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