Posted on 06/04/2007 10:28:20 AM PDT by ASC2006
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's President Vladimir Putin has described himself as the world's only "pure" democrat and attacked the United States and Europe, which have criticized him, for falling short of their own ideals.
In an interview with Western media released on Monday, he rejected Western criticism that he has centralized power in the Kremlin, marginalized the opposition and increased state control over the media.
Asked whether he agreed with former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's description of him as an "impeccable democrat", Putin replied laughing:
"Of course I am an absolute, pure democrat. But you know the problem? It's not even a problem, it's a real tragedy. The thing is that I am the only one, there just aren't any others in the world."
Putin said the West's record on democracy was less than perfect.
"Let's look what happens in North America -- sheer horror: torture, the homeless, Guantanamo, keeping people in custody without trial or investigation," Putin said in the interview ahead of this week's summit of the Group of Eight (G-8) industrial nations.
"Look what's going on in Europe: the harsh treatment of demonstrators, the use of rubber bullets, tear gas in one capital or another, the killing of demonstrators in the streets."
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
If, by "democrat", you mean brutal, calculating, ex-KGB, Socialist thug who is the current president of Russia, then yes, you are, Pootie.
I think he may have been exposed to some of that radioactive substance he sent to Great Britain.
Hes starting to sweat like a Democrat telling the truth!
I’m afraid this is an “Uh, oh!” moment for Russia and the world.
Megalomania, anyone?
I do not think that word means what he thinks it means.
>> Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has described himself as the world’s only “pure” democrat
Well, he’s certainly got the Goebbels-style fantastic over-the-top bravo sierra thing down pat!
Onward to world conquest, Vlad. You da man.
I think Hillary, Obama, Dean, Pelosi, Reid, and Edwards would all agree with him.
Their visions of a communist dictatorship here in the US are very close to what Putin’s vision of “democracy” seems to be.
Nah - he’s just following Ahmadinejad’s playbook.
Is this from Scrappleface?
Apparently jailing journalists makes one a true democrat now!
hahaha.
“Let’s look what happens in North America — sheer horror: torture, the homeless, Guantanamo, keeping people in custody without trial or investigation,” Putin said in the interview ahead of this week’s summit of the Group of Eight (G-8) industrial nations.”
Spoken like a true Krushchevite. Will he take off his shoe at the G-8 podium also?
Putin certainly does epitomize the Democratic Party’s ideals.
Democracy is key to socialism, the true purpose of socialism is communism...
Brought tto you by Lenin & Stalin...
Putin was the KGB station chief of Dresden, Germany. He is a genuine tyrant. Which is how he can claim to be a true democrat with a straight face. Its also how Hillary, an aspiring KGBer herself, can only start sounding like Marx or Lennin, and no MSM dirtbag even asks for clarification of her ‘shared misery’ plan.
Putin is just a delusional KGB nutjob who is in charge of a Third World nation.
The problem is that the Third World nation in question has a TON of nukes. So instead of being comical, it’s terrifying...
Putin (as most Russians are) is just tired of countless accusations of being ‘non-demorcratic leader’ or numerous attempts in western media to picture Russia as a ‘non-democratic country’. This is especially irritating due to the fact that nobody really knows what is ‘democratic’. I could say that internally Putin’s speech will get HUGE support.
Pootin is nothing but a commie.
I’m sure Putin’s statement will, as you say, get huge internal support. I’m not sure what that proves, however.
If nobody knows what “democratic” is, then why are you perturbed by the idea that Putin is not thought of as embodying it?
Are you saying you agree with his characterization of Guantanamo or of the state of homelessness in the United States?
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