We’ve all struggled, from time to time, with a choice of the right people to name as professional and character references on our resumes or for a mortgage loan application: perhaps a former boss, the family physician, or a member of the clergy.

But how many of us can claim to have the backing, the confidence — even the praise — of this individual? Not many.

But Donald Trump can.

Attending a security summit this week in Astana, capital of the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan, Putin was asked whether U.S. President Biden’s decision to permit Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles to strike deeper into Russian territory would impact future relations between Moscow and Washington. He responded that Biden had created “additional difficulties” for the incoming Trump administration, and again threatened to deploy Russia’s nuclear-capable ballistic missile, the “Oreshnik,” against Ukraine.

Putin further suggested that things might improve after Trump takes office:

“As far as I can imagine, the newly elected president is an intelligent and already quite experienced person. I think he will find a solution.” [Christian Edwards, Darya Tarasova and Lauren Kent, CNN, November 28, 2024.]

Is he talking about the same former president whom he manipulated like a well-behaved marionette for four years from 2016 through 2020?

Apparently so, because he then went on to praise Trump further, specifically with regard to his having overcome a “serious test” — referring to the two failed assassination attempts during recent campaign rallies. He also spoke of the “absolutely uncivilized means of struggle [that] were used against Trump” . . . and expressed his own fear that Donald Trump may not currently be safe. [Id.]

Well, as an expert on the subject of assassinations, he obviously knows what he’s talking about.

He also drew on his many years of experience in the field of political and legal persecution when he chastised the U.S. judicial system for the “humiliating, unfounded judicial procedures [to which Trump had been] subjected” . . . referring, of course, to Trump’s conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records. [Id.]

What’s that old saying about the pot calling the kettle black? Oh, well . . .

I don’t know whether the next four years will be a whole lot of fun, but I can almost guarantee — with Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy at the helms of their respective countries — they won’t be boring.

*. *. *

Returning to the subject of Russia’s threatening to attack Ukraine’s “decision-making centers,” and whether those might refer to military or political facilities, Putin responded with an old Russian joke:

“You know, in Soviet times there was a joke about weather forecasts? Here’s the forecast: today, during the day, anything is possible.” [Id.]

The CNN report doesn’t mention whether anyone else laughed.

*. *. *

It might impress some people to see the name of a world leader on a resume. But if I ever again need a reference for any purpose, I think I’ll stick with the family doctor or a former boss, or even the nice young man who delivers my prescriptions. Because . . . to paraphrase one more old aphorism . . .

“With friends like Vladimir Putin, who needs enemies?”

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
11/29/24