The Command Post
Global Recon
March 14, 2004
Putin Wins, Red Square Burns
President Vladimir Putin easily won a second term in elections Sunday with 69 percent of the vote, according to an exit poll, confirming widespread expectations of a landslide victory. Just minutes after polls closed, a huge fire erupted in a 19th-century landmark building off Red Square, and two firefighters were killed. Within an hour after the fire broke out, about half the 48,000-square-foot structure was in flames and part of the roof had collapsed, news reports said. Flames shot high into the nighttime sky and thick, gray smoke billowed over the Kremlin towers.

Colin Powell didn't seem too happy about the way the elections were run:

Powell, in television interviews before the polls closed, said he was concerned about how Russia conducted its election. He called on Putin's government "to do a better job" of making democracy work.

Posted by Michele at March 14, 2004 09:55 PM | TrackBack
Comments

With Colon's track record re Iraq, I hardly think he can cry wolf to Putin. Let's get our house inorder first. Bush out Kerry in & better relations with the Russins will see this happen.

Posted by: NobodyNeedsToKnow at March 15, 2004 06:47 AM

NNTK that is an incredibly naieve statement. What exactly has Powell done in Iraq to harm democracy? So far he has removed the useless show elections that Saddam and Chicago democrats preferred, and given the Iraqis a chance to form their own government free of strongmen like Saddam.

Putin is smart, he knows from Kerrys record that Kerry never stands firm on anything. All he would have to do is ignore Kerrys bluster untill the polls change and then Kerry will make up with him.

In contrast Putin knows Bush will act on what he says and is unswayed by the poll of the moment. If Bush says he's disappointed, Putin knows the chance of action is much much greater.

I'm sure that's why Putin supports Kerry as president. Kerry's foreign policy is "Do whatever the hell you want so long as I look good."

Posted by: Brian at March 15, 2004 08:09 AM

Powell has an excellent track record, what are you talking about?

Oh as usual, nothing of relevance.

Kerry won't get in, despite your hopes. Nothing would ever get done in the Whitehouse, he'd be too busy debating with himself, flip-flopping away...
and reminding everyone that he was a vc veteran

Posted by: Fat Guy at March 15, 2004 08:13 AM

Colon Bowell is a token part of the Bush/Rove Hoodwink America Project.

From "An American Journey":
"I am angry that so many of the sons of the powerful and well placed...managed to wangle slots in the Reserve and National Guard units." Presumably that would also include the FCC. He did join the Bush/Cheney slot wangler crew.

Putin is George's soulmate. George looked in his eyes and saw his heart. How could your Boy George be wrong on this and right, really right, on everything else?

"Kerry in the White House, nothing would get done." That would actually be better than what's BEEN happening. But that's just a partisan slam from Fat Guy. Actually what would happen are probably things like Kerry has previously lead the effort for :
-welfare reform
-campaign finance reform
-anti-crime; anti-Mob activities
-cooperation to serve the interests of the people, rather than the elite/ultrarightwing/extremereligious/corporate fatcats.
-appropriate military action, rather than deception and fraud; supporting the troops instead of denying them proper equipment; paying them on time, rather than having them go months without getting paid
-most important and most radical departure from the current circus, THINKING

Posted by: buttonbutton at March 15, 2004 11:32 AM

Karl Marx wrote,

Actually what would happen are probably things like Kerry has previously lead the effort for :

"-welfare reform"

Communistic Misery as our taxes are so burdonsome that no matter how hard we work on our jobs, our way of life doesn't improve. Which equates to SUICIDE for many who have killed themselves over the Socialism in Sweden.

"-campaign finance reform"

So that the voices of America Citizens can not rise up and replace any incumbent, Senator, House of Representative, or President of the United States. Unless of course that incumbent is a Conservative.

"-anti-crime; anti-Mob activities"

Which equate to releasing Black People in Prison for Frivulous, legality, reasons and excuses. Getting rid of the Death Penalty even though 2 police officers were shot dead in cold blooded murder in Detroit Michigan and the Police Officers are fighting to put the Death Penalty Back.

It equates to showing sympathy and support to MOBS that have Democratic/Liberal PEACENIK agendas. But MOBS that have a Conservative Agenda will be delt with harshly.


"-cooperation to serve the interests of the people, rather than the elite/ultrarightwing/extremereligious/corporate fatcats."

Which equates to stealing everyone's hard earned money in pursuit of funding such failed programs as H.U.D. ... various welfare programs that fail because Poor People can Maintain what you give them if they don't EARN the damned thing.

"-appropriate military action, rather than deception and fraud; supporting the troops instead of denying them proper equipment; paying them on time, rather than having them go months without getting paid"

Which means cutting the Defense Budget, pulling our troops out of the War on Terrorism in Iraq. Cutting down our Military Pay... Cutting the budget across the board on Military Research and Development. And basically slashing off the testicles of America so that we can not fight terrorism effectively anymore.

While at the same time it also means forcing America to obey the direction of KOFI ANAN and the United Nations Security Council, even though they couldn't care less about America's safety and security. Nor do they even care about their own safety and security.


"-most important and most radical departure from the current circus, THINKING"

Which basically means... "Vote for John Kerry!! And you too can be a PISSANT underneath the HEINZ Ketchup Bottle"

Posted by: Jeff MacMillan at March 15, 2004 02:02 PM

Back in January during the Democratic Primaries.

John Kerry called the war on terrorism an Exaggeration. He then said that he would go back to the Clinton ERA of Policing Terrorism. That he really sees no need for military action.

yes.. That sure sounds like an intelligent analysis of the war on terrorism. Nevermind the U.S.S Cole Bombing, Embassy Bombings, Trade Center Bombings. Kerry will just go on National T.V. with Tears on his eyes and that will solve everyone's problems.

Posted by: Jeff MacMillan at March 15, 2004 02:06 PM

John Kerry will let the Terrorists murder us all to the GLEE and Enjoyment of Buttonpusher.

Posted by: Jeff MacMillan at March 15, 2004 02:07 PM

Clinton had had a better and clearer anti-terrorism plan than Bush does, even now. Clinton had captured dozens of terrorists (including all those responsible for 1993 bombing of WTC)

Secondly on taxes. Cry me a river dude! Burdensome taxes? Do you know that US income tax is among the lowest in the world? They are half of what the Swedes pay in income taxes. And, yet, they would defend to the last drop of blood their system and the social services that their income taxes entitle them to.

As usual, GOPnik narrowminded and shorsightedness.

Posted by: Eugene Berkovich at March 25, 2004 02:19 PM

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