@exdem13 at 6:54

“Nice of him (Putin) to reinforce the lesson to our post-Cold War generations that the Russian people are good, but they toil for a government that is wicked, and dedicated to holding onto power at all costs.”

S for Snark, T for True. We always want to believe everyone would behave as we would if only a few despots were removed (i.e., Saddam). Then we are shocked when trouble ensues.

This book sample
Chechnya: Tombstone of Russian Power By Anatol Lieven
has some interesting passages on the Cossacks (present in this horde) and their role in Russian history to the near present. From what I gather, there are some very rough characters besides the Chechens in this region – I bless America and my fortune to have been born here.

The author was in the region in the 90′s, his obituary for Russion Imperialism may have been premature.