JOHN CHUCKMAN COMMENT: IF IT’S TRUE PUTIN’S BIG NEW REFORMS IN THE GOVERNMENT OF RUSSIA ARE ABOUT HIS BEING ABLE TO HOLD ONTO POWER LONGER, THAT MIGHT NOT BE SUCH A BAD IDEA – HE REPRESENTS AN IMPORTANT FORCE FOR GEO-POLITICAL SANITY IN OUR WORLD

John Chuckman

COMMENT POSTED TO AN ARTICLE ON CBC NEWS

 

“Putin announces constitutional reform in possible bid to hold onto power indefinitely”

 

If we had a guy with Putin’s demonstrated talents – well informed, sound judgment, high intelligence, pragmatism, farsightedness, superb statesmanship – I’d want him to remain in power indefinitely too.

Look what our forms of election have given us in “the West”: Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, Emmanuel Macron, and Justin Trudeau. Not a serious leader in the bunch.

Not only is there not a serious leader in the bunch, but there are a couple of genuinely dangerous, reckless ones.

I am exaggerating about wanting anyone to stay indefinitely, of course, but just barely, and my basic points are valid. Putin represents an important force for geo-political sanity in our world.

Note that the ultimate intent of Putin’s dramatic reforms is not so clear as this article suggests. We’ll have to wait and see, but I am confident that this remarkable man would do nothing to harm the interests of his country, including its interests after he is gone.