[cloudmountain]

My read?
Putin is a thug; always was; always will be. He IS a true son of Russia. He's on top because he's a bigger, smoother, meaner and smarter thug, that's all.
He happens to be on our side these days so we LIKE Mr. Thug Putin. We like smooth; it helps us forget the meaner part.
THINK what he had to be to get to the top of Thugville.

[Viennacon]

I have no doubt Yeltsin did similar to get to the top, and lets not bring up the Obama dead pool. Bill Gwatney, anyone? Putin , like 99% of global politicians is a thug, but he does have admirable qualities... something Obama lacks to the core.