Russia goes to the polls
and the result is predictable... as is the reaction of the 'usual suspects'! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7274395.stm

"I think (my presidency) will be a direct continuation," he said, referring to Mr Putin's eight years in office. It would be thoroughly amazing if it were any different. Putin is the de facto President and will be for a very long time to come... unless someone bumps him off...

Solzhenitsyn liked Putin, but didn't vote for his hand-picked successor. This interesting article examines the legacy of Russia's (and the world's) grea-*test*-('") living literary master. http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2271401,00.html