He’s The Real Deal!
As I mentioned in my previous essay, “What Will It Take,” Russia, historically has had no shortage of brutal despotic rulers. I imagine that Vladimir Putin, reflecting on his country’s bloody past, must have felt a bit dwarfed by the towering dictators that have gone before, especially when it comes down to the murder of innocent people. In that regard, he truly has some pretty “big shoes to fill.” Unquestionably, it would be difficult to exceed the millions and millions of innocents that were struck down by the likes of Lenin and Stalin. And that’s just in reference to Russian history. True despots aspire not just to outdo the Russians, but to best despotic luminaries from across the globe. The murder totals of non Russian tyrants like Hitler (12 million; 6 million Jews and approximately 6 million gentile “defectives”), Mao Zedong (40 million) and Pol Pot (8 million) must seem out of reach to aspiring despots like Putin.
But, as Bugs Bunny used to say: “A fella can DREAM, can’t he?” And, indeed he can. And, even though the body counts of historical despots mentioned above are hard to beat in this day and age, don’t count Putin out yet! Yes, folks, Vlad had got what it takes. The “right stuff.” The REAL DEAL.
And, what might the “right stuff” be in the twisted world of murderous tyrants? Well, first and foremost, the aspiring despot must have complete disregard for human life. Complete disregard. Now, as is well known, Putin cut his teeth in the notorious Russian secret police agency, the KGB, an organization that has never been known for its respect for human life. Murder was, as they say, in the KGB’s DNA. But, having ascended to the Presidency, the reader might ask whether Putin might have morphed into a more compassionate and cautious leader…. FEAR NOT, dear reader! The leopard has NOT changed his spots. In office, Vlad has blatantly and unashamedly had critics murdered. Putin had Alexi Navalny poisoned (but he survived, and is now serving 11 years in prison). In 2015, Putin Critic Boris Nemtsov was simply gunned down on a Moscow bridge. Another Putin critic, ALEXANDER LITVINENKO, was poisoned, in England, no less, with a single grain of radioactive POLONIUM placed in his drink. That poisonous isotope can ONLY be obtained from a nuclear reactor. Now who, you might wonder, would have access to such material? Three guesses. And, Putin’s nonchalant responses to accusations that naturally were directed at him for the murder, remove any doubt that HE COULD CARE LESS. He truly is the REAL DEAL.
Another essential despot requirement is megalomania. And, yes, he’s got that too!Wanting to improve one’s own country is, of course, not a crime. Neither is endeavoring to make one’s country “great again.” But when that aspired “greatness” involves invading a sovereign nation like Ukraine and keeping an eye on several others (The Baltics, Poland, East Germany, Finland, and, even Alaska) we are no longer dealing with healthy patriotism, but, instead with megalomaniacal madness. We are dealing with the “REAL DEAL.
Another component of the “right stuff” would be a penchant for eliminating all dissent.A human rights organization yesterday reported that Putin has had 15 THOUSAND critics arrested. Time to refurbish those old gulags that had fallen into disuse under Gorbachev and Yeltsin. The REAL DEAL!
Another crucial despot characteristic is a willingness to abolish free speech. As reported by the New York Times, on March 4th Putin signed a law that made it a CRIME to say or print ANYTHING derogatory about the government. No Bill of Rights in Russia, it seems. How “Hitleresque!” The REAL DEAL.
And, in another nice “Hitleresque” touch, Putin even has his own Eva Braun! Yes, Mr. Putin has gymnast Alina Kabaeva at his side, for those troubling moments when he gets reappraised of the fact that those damn Ukrainians just won’t roll over and surrender as expected. The REAL DEAL.
But, Ladies and Gentleman, unlike der Führer in WWII, there currently are no Allied Battalions at the gates, no cyanide tablets, no pistols and no end to the madness in sight.
And, regarding Putin’s ability to match the body counts of previous despots, don’t count Vladimir out just yet. He’s got one thing than Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, Mao Zedong and Pol Pot may have dreamed of but NEVER had: nuclear weapons! So, when considering record death tolls, don’t count Putin out. He’s “got the tools and he’s got the talent” to join the “Big Guys.” He’s the REAL DEAL
Good morning . Everyone is a little on edge with Putin. Is he stable or not? If he presses that button we are all in trouble. We can only hope things cool down.
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