Vladimir Putin picked as world's most influential person

[bemildred]

Source: Telegraph/Vanity Fair

The Russian prime minister, who recently sparked an international crisis and enraged the US and European Union with Russia's military intervention in Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia region, replaces last year's chart-topper Rupert Murdoch.

It is Mr Putin's first mention in the list, which Vanity Fair says "represents a global, moveable band of thinkers, owners, creators, and buyers who are the tastemakers, trendsetters, opinion formers and agenda creators in the worlds of politics, entertainment, media, business, technology, and fashion".

Inclusion in the ranks, the magazine adds, is "based on a number of factors: wealth and influence, as well as such intangibles as vision, philanthropy, and the x factor."

Mr Putin remains de facto leader of the world's largest country after stepping down as president, a role he held for eight years, in May. The magazine notes he enjoys 80 percent approval ratings at home in part thanks to his revival of Russia's economy and his efforts to rebuild the nation's military, pride, and global standing.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/2672459/Vladimir-Putin-picked-as-worlds-most-influential-person.html

[SpiralHawk]

1. "Take that, you Connecticut-preppy, AWOL-occultist poser, you." - Pooty Poot

[WriteDown]

2. Ha!

I just posted today that he should be named "World's Strongest Man." I guess the tiger incident put him over the edge.

[AlphaCentauri]

4. What a smart guy, shoot a tiger with tranquilizer

at least he is not killing animals for fun

[WriteDown]

6. Are you really sure that photo is for a trophy?

Looks like good eating to me.

[AlphaCentauri]

7. I'll try these other pictures

[WriteDown]

8. Not something that I would do...

But I am not opposed to hunting for trophy if it is well regulated. You can eat bear and moose and many people do as well. As far as Super Putin saving journalists with his tranq gun, we need to start including him with Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox.

[Purveyor]

3. Way to go Vlad. You are tops in my book in confronting this Judeo-Christian crusade called the

New World Order.

I knew you had it in you from the day I watched you being sworn in as President of Russia.

[Sequoia]

13. He's no namby-pamby either.

It so refreshing to know that some leaders won't roll over for Uncle Sam.

[psychopomp]

38. Sometimes the enemy of your enemy is NOT your friend

Case in point: Stalin during WWII. As soon as the war looked like it was going to go the way of the Allies we quickly looked for a way to contain the Soviets.

Putin is on his own side...it is believed that may have siphoned off enough of Russia's wealth to have become the richest person in the world.

[LeftHander]

5. Palin did not make the list.....nt

[sasquatch]

9. Well I'd rather Putin influencing things that Murdoch

[WriteDown]

16. You surely jest..

while Murdoch is a slimy character, Putin is lined up to be the next Stalin. Just ask Chechnya.

[sasquatch]

17. Murdoch is a fascist, Putin is a decent leader compared to others around the world

[WriteDown]

18. Compared to who?

Mugabe? Bush? You may want to consult the people of Chechnya for their opinion.

[cobalt1999]

22. Putin is a decent leader

:rofl:

[sasquatch]

27. Compared to other Russian leaders he is

[cobalt1999]

30. Isn't that like being the prettiest waitress at a Denny's?

That's not exactly a high bar you're setting.

[sasquatch]

31. True

[cobalt1999]

10. He scares me as much as Bush

I'll be much happier when there is only one of them on the world stage.

[Aristus]

11. In a related story, George W. Bush named least influential person in the world.

Bush narrowly defeated Phil Sabottka of East Cornhole, Idaho in a decision to name the least influential person in the world. Mr. Sabottka, an unemployed handyman currently subsisting on food stamps and church free lunches, had the dubious distinction of being the least influential person in the world. He had to relinquish the title 18 months ago when it passed to Mr. Bush, who has driven the concepts of incompetence and ineffectuality to new lows during his time in office. When Mr. Sabottka was asked to comment, he replied "It jus' ain't so. Bush is a great man. I voted fer him an' he's done great things fer real Americans."

A ceremony Mr. Sabottka had planned to showcase the passing on of the title had to be cancelled when nobody showed up.

[oldskool]

12. Russia is debt free and prosper

Georgia attack S.Ossetia first with US influence on August 7th
because they are Russian orthodox. Russia responded. Why are
we forcing Christianity down the throats of other countries?
Russia doesn't want a globalization. Our government wants it
that is why Russia is responding. US wants missile defense
shields in their back yard without going through NATO.We are
pushing this. Know the facts. 

[WriteDown]

14. You're kidding right?

Care to supply some links for these Crusade-like assertions?

[oldskool]

20. This is going on around the world

use the google and read Newspapers around the world
UK,Russia,Turkey,India,Iraq,etc... Or you can search for dirt
on Sarah Palin or whatever your talking points of the day are.
Or actually read the foreign policy of both candidates. Why do
they put other countries before ours.Bangkok is fighting a
religious war right now about Christianity.It is a push for
one world government.I have no reason to lie. I have done my
homework. Why is history repeating itself? Why are they voting
against our civil liberties? Why are we playing gotcha
politics every four years? Why are they using all of
government leaks, race,religion,economic,political correctness
to divide us? Why is there no accountability? coincidence? 
Read current events,watch C-SPAN, Study history. Or go listen
to the talking heads and be their cheerleader.Know the facts.

[WriteDown]

23. Usually....

its the person making the accusations that supplies the proof.

[oldskool]

28. these are proven facts

with documentation. I'm not looking for an argument.
Cheney,Obama,Biden,McCain,Bush,etc... are right and everyone
else is wrong,if that is what you want believe.The facts are
out there. Nuclear threats should be taken seriously.And they
are provoking it. This is about NATO epansion,and US missile
defense shields in the caucasus without NATO's support. search
it try Georgia attack on S. Ossetia August 7, 2008. That is
why NATO is backing down and US is threatening Russia with
Nukes.

[WriteDown]

29. oookay....

Saying they are proven facts is like saying "trust me." The Ukraine is wanting to join NATO ASAP for fear of Russia. Can't blame them.

[Codeine]

32. Why is your profile hidden, Vladimir? nt

[oldskool]

34. Right next to yours Bushie

[Codeine]

35. My profile is visible.

Yours, not so much. Why is that?

[oldskool]

36. My information is backed up and my opinions

are my own.Why are you acting like a neo-con (yer either with
us or against us mentality)?And trying to infringe on the
first amendment right?

[Codeine]

37. I'm just interested in what you're hiding.

You strike me as being about as believable a progressive as the recently tombstoned ckramer, who also evinced a love for autocratic dictatorial types.

And you have no First Amendment rights on a private board. You and I can be moderated right out of existence at whim.

[oldskool]

39. what ever

I don't owe any one any information.I want accountability from
a corrupt government.I guess I'm in the wrong and our
government is right. I thought this was a discussion board but
I guess it's a shout down freeper board.

[Codeine]

40. That old chestnut?

Whenever somebody disagrees with some little pissant around here they get called a Freeper. Bullshit. I'm a fucking socialist, for Christ's sake!

And who's shouting you down? I'm rightfully suspicious of somebody making idiotic comments while hiding their profile.

[Regret My New Name]

41. Oh man, he's gone???

I actually enjoyed reading ckramer's posts. May not agree with him all the time, but they sparked some interesting debates.

[Codeine]

44. He revealed his true colors.

Started ranting about how the US is owned by the Jews. He was a piece of shit from Day One.

[Regret My New Name]

45. hah, I missed that I guess..

[WriteDown]

15. You're kidding right?

Care to supply some links for these Crusade-like assertions?

[AlphaCentauri]

25. Not really, we've been supporters of oil muslim monarchies for decades

[Redstone]

19. Well, he rescues journalists from tigers and leaps tall buildings in a single bound,

doesn't he?

Redstone

[Codeine]

21. I feel like I just walked into the Young Stalinists Brigade.

Seriously, folks, it's DEMOCRATIC Underground, no Foreign Autocratic Underground. The enemy of your enemy is not necessarily your friend.

[cobalt1999]

24. In their defense, they've been taught for 8 years that the world is Black & White

Wait until Putin is pushing Obama, then watch the same people get suddenly upset.

[AlphaCentauri]

26. well, we are getting ready for our next axis of evil meme

you know every 8 years we change our enemies

[Regret My New Name]

42. it is if you're looking for some trolltertainment...

Maybe I'm just cynical of internet peoples motives... :P

[Codeine]

33. He should be able to shoot a tiger

after all the practice he's gotten shooting reporters lately.

[Regret My New Name]

43. I'd like him more if he shot the reporters.

[CLG_News]

46. I love it - K&R. n/t