Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The Gymnast And the Czar
Washington Post ^ | April 29th, 2008 | Fred Hiatt

Posted on 04/28/2008 12:38:52 PM PDT by The_Republican

On a recent visit to Italy, President Vladimir Putin was asked about a Russian newspaper report that he was divorcing his wife of many years to marry a 24-year-old rhythmic gymnast famous in Russia for her lithe beauty.

Putin denied the report in his usual charming way, scolding the media "with their snotty noses and their erotic fantasies." Then the newspaper that published the rumor was shut down.

Or, to be more precise, the newspaper that published the rumor, in a paroxysm of self-loathing and czar-love, shut itself down. And a few days later, just to make sure, the lower house of parliament, or Duma, approved a law, by a vote of 339 to 1, allowing authorities to shutter any other newspaper that dared to print such reports again.

It is no longer controversial to note that Putin "has led Russia into a harsh brand of authoritarianism with some fascist features," as French scholar Pierre Hassner said in a speech last fall. But it's worth recalling the methodical and patient way he crept toward dictatorship, because recent events raise fears that he is now creeping in the same way toward stifling the independence that Russia's neighboring states have enjoyed since the Soviet Union fractured in 1991.

Putin did not announce, eight years ago, his intention to create an autocracy in which all television channels would be under Kremlin control; in which elections would be decided, by him, ahead of time; in which every major industrialist and provincial governor would dance to his tune and roving bands of nationalist youths would threaten, intimidate or beat up anyone who objected.

He did not announce that by the time he gave up the presidency he would have created a replacement for the Communist Party of olden days -- United Russia......

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; Russia
KEYWORDS: czar; gymnyst; newspapershutdown; putin

1 posted on 04/28/2008 12:39:03 PM PDT by The_Republican
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: The_Republican

Well, tell you what...if Putin is going “bouncy-bouncy, pacy-pacy” with this young lady, he’s one helluva communist!

Bah-dah-bing-bah-dah-boom!


2 posted on 04/28/2008 12:42:35 PM PDT by RexBeach
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The_Republican

My Kingdom for a gymnast!


3 posted on 04/28/2008 12:43:39 PM PDT by AxelPaulsenJr (God Bless George W. Bush)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The_Republican
Bravo, Mr. Dictator.


4 posted on 04/28/2008 12:47:52 PM PDT by Slapshot68
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The_Republican

“Хорошо быть королем.”

5 posted on 04/28/2008 12:57:28 PM PDT by RichInOC (PUTIN: VI GOVORITE!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The_Republican

For some reason, this reminds me of the Seinfeld Episode where Jerry is dating a gymnast or contortionist.


6 posted on 04/28/2008 1:01:47 PM PDT by sockmonkey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Slapshot68

Nyet guilty!


7 posted on 04/28/2008 1:03:07 PM PDT by GeneralisimoFranciscoFranco (I love liberals. They taste like chicken.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: sockmonkey

“You are not Comedian Jerry Seinfeld”.

Communist dictators have all the fun.


8 posted on 04/28/2008 1:18:25 PM PDT by utherdoul
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: RichInOC

"Я не имел секс с той женщиной"

9 posted on 04/28/2008 2:05:51 PM PDT by Fido969 ("The hardest thing in the world to understand is income tax." - Albert Einstein)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: The_Republican

It’s good to be the king.


10 posted on 04/28/2008 2:22:34 PM PDT by Nachum
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The_Republican

Interesting. On the President’s most recent trip to Russia, Putin’s wife was not at any of the functions which she would normally have attended. It’s the kind of thing that makes you go, “Hmmm”.


11 posted on 04/28/2008 2:24:09 PM PDT by SuziQ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Fido969

"Я не имел секс с той женщиной"

BWAAHAHAHAA ... thank you Klintonskov !!

12 posted on 04/28/2008 3:23:08 PM PDT by Centurion2000 (Party ahead of principles; eventually you'll be selling out anything to anyone for the right price.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Fido969

Heh. I still like mine better.


13 posted on 04/28/2008 4:10:36 PM PDT by RichInOC ([cue Mel Brooks])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson