Putin's Russia

The Private Eye reports that Russian Prime Minister - Vladimir Putin - lost his temper  big time on national TV recently - during a live 'phone-in'.

Apparently Vlad described the people protesting against his regime - as 'sodomised sheep'.

Now this doesn't sound to me like the kind of language befitting a Prime Minister - or a future President.

Presumably the insult included the widely respected former President of the Soviet Union - Mikhail Gorbachev - who joined the demonstration.

To my mind it says much more about the mindset of Vladimir Putin himself - than the people protesting against widespread voting fraud - in the 2011 elections to the Russian Duma (parliament).

Just what does Vlad get up to on all these bare chested, macho visits to the Russian Steppes - with his all his flunkeys and handy photographers in tow.

If I could ask the Russian Prime Minister - and future Presidential candidate a question I'd ask him:

'What personal experience, if any, do you have of sodomised sheep - and why do you think it's an appropriate way to speak to fellow Russian citizens who simply disagree with your point of view?' 

Maybe if Vlad doesn't get asked that question by the tame Russian media - then some brave  soul from the international press will raise the matter - on my behalf.

I hope so.