A day off Silence and Sadness in Moscow
It was more like the quiet of a state funeral than an inauguration of a president in Moscow today as Vladimir Putin broke the rule of only two 6-year terms and assumed power for a third time. Like Philadelphia police chief Frank Rizzo who knew how to stop a riot before it starts, Putin's police arrested anyone simply wearing a white ribbon, a giveaway they were a part of a planned demonstration about to confront police for a second day. The Philadelphia police chief's method was similar as the 40-thousand member force was under instructions to arrest all people on any corner numbering more than 3 people. While other cities were burning in those hot summers in the sixties, the Rizzo machine simply jailed all agitators and more without question. Yesterday's Moscow protest was like a Roman war. All that was missing were the flying spears. A Putin spokesman complained the police were too gentle yesterday--should have cracked down harder. The planned protests of Putin reclaiming the Russian presidency, failed to materialize today, thanks to quick acting police arresting any and all. The eerie quietness of Moscow was a message in itself, that the majority are saddened to know they'll be dealing with Putin's unilateral decisions for at least 6 more years. Then he could legally run for a 4th term, taking him to 2024. The public doesn't like that and not sure Putin on this day is too enthusiastic about another 12-year run either. As he walked down the red rug steps to take the oath of office, he looked tired and burdened. Police successfully cleared all the squares and blocks around the Kremlin, so there was no one to cheer--only the hundreds of guards who stood silently at attention. Moscovites heard the 30-gun salute seep into their apartments on this holiday that was anything but jovial. Few foreigners of prominence were there, but there was one known to us all, Putin's close friend, the former prime minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi



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