"Good grief..I watched that news conference and afterwards the talking heads did not have this take on it as "humiliation" of Putin in any form or fashion!"
Because it wasn't.
"Putin dismissed domestic criticism of actions that have been seen as limiting democracy as the carping of the rich who can afford to spread their opinions.
Taking umbrage at international criticism of a move to take greater control of the selection of provincial governors, Putin said there wasn't that much difference from the U.S.'s electoral college system.
"The candidates ... will be submitted to regional parliaments that are elected through secret ballot by all the citizens," Putin said.
"This is, in essence, a system of the electoral college which is used on the national level in the United States. And it's not considered undemocratic, is it?" Putin asked."
Moscow Times
His comments on democracy allude to democracies not allowing themselves to be robbed. Rest assured that Mr. Putin's recent problems all stem from Russia's seizure of Lord Rothschild front man Khorodkovski's shilled Yukos shares.
Rothschild is sending in a collection agency.