Vladimir Putin wins a presidential election based on fear
The center of Moscow, during today's presidential elections, looked as if the Kremlin was preparing to fend off an invasion by an enemy army.
Vladimir Putin wins a presidential election based on fear
Trudy Rubin, Inquirer Opinion Columnist
MOSCOW - The center of Moscow, during today’s presidential elections, looked as if the Kremlin was preparing to fend off an invasion by an enemy army. Hundreds of huge trucks, some white, some black, with bars over the windows, blocked off street after street, surrounded the huge square in front of the Bolshoi Theatre, and barred access to Red Square; they were flanked by legions of special security police.
When I asked one policeman, in furry hat and grey uniform, what they were all doing, he replied, “ We are protecting against any provocation. We have to keep Moscow safe.” It was all in keeping with the effort by victorious candidate Vladimir Putin to portray the middle class youths who have recently mounted peaceful protest rallies, as a dangerous threat to stability – and the state itself.
Indeed, in his victory statement, as he strode in black jacket and jeans onto a stage in front of thousands of supporters in front of the Kremlin walls (bused in they had no trouble penetrating the security ring), Putin struck up the “defeat our enemies” theme. “Nobody can impose their policy on us,” he shouted. “Our people could recognize the provocation from people who want to destroy us.” My mind flashed back to an afternoon spent with young people planning to act as election observers at polling places, and I wondered if he really thought these youths were going to invade the Kremlin.
Then he dropped the punchline, saying, “The orange scenario will never work here.” His reference was to the Ukraine’s Orange Revolution, in which street protesters force out a pro-Kremlin leader who had won via a rigged election. Putin is obsessed with the idea that the United States funded the Orange Revolution, and other “color” revolutions in former Soviet states, as well as the Arab Spring in Egypt. Clearly his hostile rhetoric had two targets: the tens of thousands of peaceful youths who protested rigged parliamentary elections – and will protest this skewered election on Monday – AND his favorite bogey-man, the United States.
While I agree w/your assessment, please remember, the protesters during the Orange Revolution were also bused in.. & paid something to make it 'worth their while'. That's the way it's done in the F.S.U., (Former Soviet Union). Putin is a tyrannical despot, no doubt. But then again, we had a president that made-up a "reason" to go to Iraq.. so we ain't so much better you could say.— chris-odessa, ua- Welcome back KGB!— jjmac777
- But our guys don't use fear to win elections....nope,never happens.— oakster
Sounds like Putin took a page out of the Bush/Cheney playbook.— wokmaster- Fear and lies. Right out of the Karl Rove playbook.— mike l
- Funny, when Boris Yeltsin actually ordered troops to fire on protestors in 1993 (killing hundreds) the response from the western media was rather muted. Trudy has a problem with Putin, but it has nothing to do with Russian democracy. It really all started with the imprisonment of Khodorkovsky - who Trudy presents as a Russian Horatio Alger, but who we all know was a little closer to Meyer Lansky.— society
- Putin is the leader of the russian tea party.— ej610
Comment removed.- This is exactly what life will be like if a Republican is elected in November, because he will never give up his power and will threaten anyone that dare dissents. Look at how many people Bush had put in Guantanamo Bay for dissent, without trial or charges. The Republican will do that to everyone.— eldiablodelsol2009
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- @ej610: ?? are you "trying" 2b funny?!? (b-c you're Not). @James: you are CLUEless! @""Just Honest"": 'unilateral.. based on BOGUS "intel", provided by Bush/Cheney!!! 'Dirty-Hippies'?!? That's all 'ya got?!? Do you 'not know' that there were not only "Hippies" in attendance?— chris-odessa, ua
- @ej610" 'ballz' as in, did Bush get bin Laden?!? No. & Obama Escalated Afghanistan the FIRST day he was in-office! Can you now kindly change your mind and the drivel you spout please?— chris-odessa, ua
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- @"Just Honest": way to keep the discourse 'civil'.. but if you insist; a) General Colin Powell. (must I elaborate for you). 2)my USAF Colonel, (very conservative), agrees that Iraq was a Lie. But, being Americans, we have to 'do the best we can with rebuilding Iraq, etc.'. 3)where's the bogus yellow-cake Chief? Where are the WMD's Genius? You'd better refer to me as Sir.. you PINHEAD.— chris-odessa, ua
