The Cult of 1945, the Cult of War, and Now the Cult of Death
Vladimir Putin’s reign in Russia has not always been as ugly and evil as it is today. When he first ascended to power, the unknown, youthful father of two from St. Petersburg gave many exhausted Russians hope.
It was thanks to his first eight years or so in power that led many Russians to regard him as a great leader. It was thanks to the accomplishments of those years that make it so hard for many to turn their backs on him today. As a sign of gratitude, Russians stick with their leader.
Whether or not Putin had planned to manipulate the Russian people the way he has when he first took power from Yeltsin is something that only Putin, and maybe some of his closest allies know. Nevertheless, from the very beginning of his first presidency, there was a marked increase in the quality of the pomp and circumstance around government events.
By returning to Russia many of the optics used during czarist times, like for instance the way he enters the great hall filled with hundreds of applauding sycophants through two massive, gold-plated doors which are pulled open by soldiers resembling toys, makes Russians feel proud — great, even.
