Putin and Bush - One and the Same

February 25, 2005

In 2001, Bush and Putin met for the first time and they liked each other and said so at press conferences. Bush had high praise for Putin because he thought he was a good person and felt an immediate bond between them. 

Fast forward to February 2005 and we have two men who are at odds. Putin, in the past few years has tightened his political grip on Russia by controlling businesses and freedom of the press. He has also been sensitive to Bush's criticisms regarding his more Stalin-like stance. He finally said Russia would develop its democracy their way not Bush's.

Bush met privately with Putin at the end of his European tour and at the meeting he again criticized Putin about the need for more democracy in Russia. Putin apparently had enough and asked if America was so free, then why had the CBS reporters lost their jobs, referring to the Rather-gate incident. Also implying Bush had something to do with the CBS firings.

Bush and the White House had little to say except express surprise that Putin thought Bush had reporters fired for outing a poor National Guard service record.

Well, he did have something to do with the firings or more accurately Bush operatives and supporters did.

Conservative media attacked Dan Rather like starving dogs on a bone. They wanted Rather fired, investigated and even thrown into jail because of the National Guard program. Never mind that the facts presented were true but that the CBS "source" was a liar and a flake and Rather "should have known".

Bush's political machine attacked Rather directly and openly so he wouldn't have his hands soiled by the dirty work of limiting the freedom of the press. Putin knows this, after all he is ex-KGB and knows how things work. He is just pointing this out to Bush and saying we are the same kind of leader, have similar responses to criticism and the bond of 2001 is still there.

Expect a vitriolic response from conservative radio, TV and press. It wouldn't do to have their God-elected leader come under attack for that would be an attack on God and the American way!

Their collective response will prove they can "dish it but can't take it". A conservative's idea of free press is when no one criticizes Bush, any Republican or the GOP (now known as the very Gay Old Party).

Bush was very discerning about their bond in 2001. They certainly have similar personalities and responses to threat. They are men who are controlling, uncompromising, ruthless, self righteous, and very sensitive to criticism of any kind. Consequently they cultivate political machines to control citizens and destroy enemies. This insures "The Leader" is in power in America and Russia.

They talk democracy but it is only a word to hide behind. It sounds good and citizens/comrades like to hear it.

Unfortunately for Americans, Bush supporters are too busy attacking the bone to understand Democracy. We all loose because of it.