Whoah! Obama and Putin Together? Not In Your Wildest Dreams!

[Stephen Atkinson]

.Did you check out the sexy photos of Vladimir Putin on horseback today? This guy is surely real, real cool! Now, the wait begins.

How long would you estimate it to be, before Obama takes up the challenge to outdo the former Soviet Prime Minister? After all, Putin, bare chested, astride a Russian steed, gives to the Russian faithful, an image of a man in total control. In control of the horse, obviously; in control of his own destiny, truly; in control of his countrymen's hearts, absolutely!

The best the Bamster has done to date, is when he has gone on his frequent, and prolonged "apology tours". Sidling up to, and rubbing elbows with Hugo Chavez, does that qualify? Nah, much too tame and lame. How about Al Jazira TV, and it's enterprising reporters, giddly genuflecting in the wake of Obama, how's that? Nope, that was also a time to yawn, and look elsewhere for some evening entertainment. Just what is a real American gadfly to do?

Remember the Marlboro Man, the manly symbol of American manliness? Well, Putin was favorably compared and is looked upon as the Russian equivalent of this distinctly American icon. You just gotta believe Obama was keeping a watch out of the corner of his eye, and marveling at how easily Putin manufactures, and generates such devoted public support for himself as a Russian man, a REAL MAN at that!

Faced with the weekly Wednesday evening brainstorming sessions at the White House, to discuss how next to fool the American public, I believe that The One is daydreaming, while his minions crosshatch the weekly focus session reports, and pore over the latest poll results. So, what is it that Obama is dreaming of then?

First, we've got to admit that Obama has a slight advantage over Putin. He is an inveterate smoker, and what exactly was the Marlboro man selling? Cigarettes! Barack smokes, doesn't he? He is an American, isn't he? I'll bet he is fancifully seeing himself saddled up on the wild range, somewhere out west. Cowboy hat pulled low over his brow, and puffing on that Marlboro, just as would Roy Rogers, or Tom Mix, or Gene Autry. Yeah, that's the image he conjours in his mind. Seeing his magisterial presence, patrolling the wide open spaces, is exactly what the public needs to cast approving glances at his plans for ridding the land west of the Pecos of all pretenders.

I'll hand it to the Russky. He knows how to get public approval, and he doesn't have to expend a whole lot of energy in the process. On the other hand, Obama has serious challenges that the Russian hasn't. Riding into town, let's say, Dodge City, to add a bit of western flavor, I am reminded of a certain new sheriff loping into town to meet the town elders. I think it was in a Mel Brooks movie or something like that, I just can't remember.

The sheer gall of Putin doing things that Obama may only dream of doing one day. How does all that compute?

How about the ideological differences between the two audiences here? One, not yet freed of the shackles that bind, and the other, resisting those same shackles, and doing so with verve!

Dream on, Mister Obama, but be very careful, because you are not quite free of the accompanying nightmares that come with such lofty ambitions. Nightmares manifesting themselves in the incubuses of the darkest night.

"Sic Semper Tyrannis!" (Thus Always To Tyrants!)