Yet more bull . . . unbearably

While America seemingly spins and falls further into political ignominy, the Russian Bear finds itself still (apparently) longing for its own glory days as master of all that it has (once) surveyed and controlled.

However, Chechnya might actually be too costly for the Russian people to bear much longer.

As for what (more) Putin will (actually) do about any of it; who knows?

Striking his best Van-Damme pose?

For as it is written in the NYT recently:

Resentment over the lavish subsidies paid to Chechnya and other regions in the mostly Muslim North Caucasus to secure loyalty after the war has spawned a movement dedicated to cutting the region off financially.

 In war (and market economy), the wise strategist always goes for the supply lines.

Celebrity, too, makes the buying of a kingdom so much more . . . fun (and mae-be, swanky, too dammeit!).

Hilary Swank attended the festive birthday party of dictator Ramzan Kadyrov in the Chechen capital of Grozny a couple of weeks ago, accompanied by a number of other celebrities including martial arts star-turned-take-me-serious-please actor Jean-Claude Van Damme and British violinist Vanessa Mae.

Ramzan Kadyrov (remember my name)

Reportedly, the currently hapless Ms Mae was paid half a million dollars to attend the party and perform for President Kadyrov, who has been accused by human rights groups, journalists, and others of presiding over a regime that routinely participates in kidnappings, killings and torture of political opponents and human rights advocates.

Last week, Ms. Swank, at least, was apologetic (if not also, charitably apoplectic).

May there be fewer million dollar blunders and more million dollar babies in her future . . . and that of us all.