Cav's Place

Since Putin turns 70 today, apparently choosing to “celebrate” with an informal summit of former Soviet republics, probably as a laughable attempt to counter the first meeting of the European Political Community, since otherwise the festivities were unusually muted, may I take the opportunity to wish for it to be his last as a free man? Yes, I guess the more obvious option would be to wish for it to be his last, period, but on the one hand one has to wonder who’d replace him if he’d actually die, especially if it won’t be natural causes, and on the other being convicted of his crimes and needing to spend his remaining years in prison would hurt and demean him far more, and also send a powerful message, possibly powerful enough to stop not only his inner circle but also other “leaders” taking after his example, from following a similar path in the foreseeable future. That more obvious option remains much preferable to the current situation, of course, but if I can choose between the two I’ll definitely stick to this wish, so may this be Putin last birthday, and most preferably one of his very last days, as a free man.