In describing the arrest of Russian political scientist Aleksandr Kynev for having publicly revealed evidence of fraud in the recent parliamentary elections, economist and author Vladislav Inozemtsev — who now lives outside Russia — said that Kynev’s arrest “comes as [a] surprise, of course, but to some degree it was to be expected.” Writing on Facebook, he added that:

“Terror directed not so much at the opposition per se, but at active citizens who are aware of the rights enshrined in the constitution — specifically voting rights in this case — has become the regime’s primary activity for the foreseeable future.”

– Source: Steve Gutterman, RFE/RL, October 2, 2026.

That’s business as usual in Vladimir Putin’s Russia. But as I read Inozemtsev’s words, I found myself thinking he might as easily have been speaking about another country, whose upcoming interim Congressional elections are in jeopardy of being disrupted — perhaps not by arrests and beatings — but by more devious means of tampering, lies, and intimidation.

And it makes me physically ill each time I recognize yet another parallel between the authoritarianism of centuries of Tsarism, Communism, and Putinism in Russia, and the much more recent direction in which the United States is being led by Donald Trump and his administration.

But ignoring the truth is not an option, as history has proven far too often. So I ask you: what are we going to do to stop it?

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
10/4/26