After Putin...

Do yourself a favor and go read Cathy Young's article on the new leadership at the Kremlin. Take-away quote:

Post-Communist Russian democracy, like Communism itself, is dead. The authoritarian system that has risen on its wreckage is not a pretty sight. But there are still signs of life.

I've been worried about Russia for at least a few years now, and I have been wondering why the U.S. government has been so silent. Does it really behoove anyone at this point to pretend what is going on in Russia is democracy"?

Exit question: Wasn't Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice supposed to be an expert on Russia?