Through my lens, President Putin brought a chaotic and failed nation to become a vibrant, creative, economic force within a decade. I don’t care what your politics; just admit that his sheer, calculated vision and willful energy brought Russia back to be a world power. Now, I said this to a friend recently, she waved her glass of Merlot at me and began the “anti-Russia” lecture we all have come in America to memorize, a tale of spies, oligarchs, rigged elections and murders. I start to drift. I listen to the Sade song playing in the background “The Sweetest Taboo” as she speaks. When she finishes, I say, “Well, he is very good to women, holds them in high regard.” She starts to protest then stops and says, “yes, yes, but…” She trails off no doubt thinking of the American President’s obvious disdain and objectification of all women. I shrug. Maybe, America is on some wrong side of very big issues and we need to look at our own actions. For example,Yemen or Afghanistan. It used to be fashionable as a Democrat to embrace our Russian sisters and brothers. Now, it is supposed to be only Republican territory. This is ironic since the whole American anti-Russian propaganda came originally from neo-conservative hawks.
There have been many American administration changes; President Putin has tried again and again to keep diplomatic ties strong. I am sure, President Putin has experienced political whiplash with the mercurial American diplomatic meetings. But then he is against an American machine that is more than one politician; it is an American political landmine full of traps, set up before he even came to power. The agenda was clear, concise and evident when I worked in Washington DC, keep the Russians talking but bring their nation down and no world seat for them at the table. Politics has always been a blood sport.
President Putin’s genius is his judo ability to conserve his own energy and let the opponents flail, using up their energy, while he gains position. Currently, President Putin has a higher approval rating in America then the American President, particularly with women. President Putin has an alluring combination of strength with gentleness. His sensuous image projects his love for life, the embodiment of grace while facing adversity. It is evident that he loves his country, his people and his job. Although his job may seem like in the words of writer, Elizabeth Gilbert on genius, “ trying to swallow the sun.” This is a whole lot to deal with for one mere mortal… President Putin’s obvious reverence for women, children and animals, and his ability with sports is intoxicating to American women. Especially since the bloated, American President is so negative, denigrating and dismissive of anyone but himself as he stumbles even playing golf (which is not a real sport anyway but a past time, sorry golfers).
