Every time I hear someone hold forth on democracy in Russia I am remeinded that the recently elected absolute head of "all the Russias" is the former head of the KGB for the USSR. If one cares to take even a cursory look he will see "Communists" in almost all the Top positions in that worthie's recently formed government. I know it is unpopular to mention that Communism is alive and well in that country but according to those who seem to know, i.e., people who have spent time there recently, but The Motherland is now primarily a "Kleptocracy". They use that term to designate the sad fact that the "underworld" has gained such great control over the real day-to-day activities of the country. I have not been there myself but I know those who have been.

Holy Mother Russia has a long way to go. We can only hope they make it.

:hat