Pooty-Poot gettin' Mean

Bush's global "war on terrorism" has not only yielded political benefits not only to his campaign, but also lent legitimacy to acts of popular suppression by more or less allied countries, including Russia, Israel, and Pakistan. Putin's exploitation of "terrorism" to win elections and consolidate his power is significantly more ruthless, bloodier, and perhaps even more worrisome than Bush's. It's very unfortunate that Putin has decided to take this direction. I suppose it makes more sense now that Bush felt such a personal connection with the man.

Pooty listens to Russian children declaring their love for him.

Putin Moves to Centralize Authority
Plan Would Restrict Elections in Russia
By Peter Baker

MOSCOW, Sept. 13 -- President Vladimir Putin announced plans Monday for a "radically restructured" political system that would bolster his power by ending the popular election of governors and independent lawmakers, moves he portrayed as a response to this month's deadly seizure of a Russian school.

Under his plan, Putin would appoint all governors to create a "single chain of command" and allow Russians to vote only for political parties rather than specific candidates in parliamentary elections. Putin characterized the changes as enhancing national cohesion in the face of a terrorist threat, while critics called them another step toward restoring the tyranny of the state 13 years after the fall of the Soviet Union.

"Under current conditions, the system of executive power in the country should not just be adapted to operating in crisis situations, but should be radically restructured in order to strengthen the unity of the country and prevent further crises," Putin said during a televised meeting with cabinet ministers and governors. "Those who inspire, organize and carry out terrorist acts seek to bring about a disintegration of the country, to break up the state, to ruin Russia."