Scary Mother Russia and Yea Venezuala!
Putin's Party Wins Russian Election
Which is to say that Putin himself will still be in control of Russia and everything therein. Critics are calling the election unfair, and the United States is asking for an investigation.
From the Economist: How it Was Rigged:
Indeed. I just think this is scary, scary. Call me a cold war baby, and maybe I am. But Vladimir Putin and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (thought to be close friends) are so scary to me. People that cling to power and refuse to give it up ... they are scary. They are capable of anything because they care more about their own opinions than the opinions of those they serve.
This is why I'm sick of Bush / Clinton / Bush / Clinton. It smells the same to me. Desperate to keep their power because they believe their influence and agenda is more important than the American people.
In the real world, Russia's election yesterday doesn't mean much except what we already knew. Putin is going to remain in control of the Kremlin and all the laws and policies that are passed. And this election paves the way for his chosen puppet - achem - successor to breeze into office. Which was something we knew months ago was going to happen.
In excellent news down south -- Hugo Chavez lost his first referendum. This particular constitutional vote was on whether or not he could seek endless re-election, making him their President forever. He also was going to turn the baby democracy (I use the term loosely) into a socialist country. My favorite line from the article:
His respect for the verdict, could he have any other reaction? It makes it sound like he could in fact, not respect the verdict, and say "well those votes didn't count." His respect for the verdict ... bah. I know there's a whole contingent of people down there that love him (they live in his government provided housing and work his government provided jobs) but really ... he should go away if Freedom really does ring.
Which is to say that Putin himself will still be in control of Russia and everything therein. Critics are calling the election unfair, and the United States is asking for an investigation.
From the Economist: How it Was Rigged:
The irony is that United Russia would have won anyway—Mr Putin who has resided over economic growth is genuinely popular. Perhaps it would have got 50%, maybe the turn-out would only have been 40%. The rigging matters nonetheless because it again demonstrates Mr Putin’s contempt not only for his critics, but for Russians as a whole. How he plans to use his victory is the next question. The electoral fight was not so much about the composition of the parliament, which is weak, little more than a rubber stamp for laws produced by the Kremlin. By putting himself as number one on the party list, without even joining it, Mr Putin turned the election into a referendum on his own popularity.
He has set the stage for the presidential poll next March when he is due to step down as president. Russia's constitution bans him from running for a third consecutive term. This victory gives him a mandate to remain the most influential figure in Russia, while handpicking an obedient successor. As Kiril Rogov, a political analyst, argued recently in the New Times magazine, the people of Russia will wait for Mr Putin to tell them who they should vote for. That may come soon. On December 17th United Russia holds its congress and is expected to present Mr Putin’s chosen candidate for presidency.
Indeed. I just think this is scary, scary. Call me a cold war baby, and maybe I am. But Vladimir Putin and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (thought to be close friends) are so scary to me. People that cling to power and refuse to give it up ... they are scary. They are capable of anything because they care more about their own opinions than the opinions of those they serve.
This is why I'm sick of Bush / Clinton / Bush / Clinton. It smells the same to me. Desperate to keep their power because they believe their influence and agenda is more important than the American people.
In the real world, Russia's election yesterday doesn't mean much except what we already knew. Putin is going to remain in control of the Kremlin and all the laws and policies that are passed. And this election paves the way for his chosen puppet - achem - successor to breeze into office. Which was something we knew months ago was going to happen.
In excellent news down south -- Hugo Chavez lost his first referendum. This particular constitutional vote was on whether or not he could seek endless re-election, making him their President forever. He also was going to turn the baby democracy (I use the term loosely) into a socialist country. My favorite line from the article:
Chavez told reporters at the presidential palace that the outcome of Sunday's balloting had taught him that "Venezuelan democracy is maturing." His respect for the verdict, he asserted, proves he is a true democratic leader.
His respect for the verdict, could he have any other reaction? It makes it sound like he could in fact, not respect the verdict, and say "well those votes didn't count." His respect for the verdict ... bah. I know there's a whole contingent of people down there that love him (they live in his government provided housing and work his government provided jobs) but really ... he should go away if Freedom really does ring.
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