So I Totally Believe the Putin Fish Story That Peskov is Peddling
Putin was photographed handling-and, in fact, kissing-a large pike allegedly caught on a recent trip to Siberia. The Russian blogosphere immediately erupted, claiming (a) the fish was not nearly as large as Putin’s spokesman Peskov claimed, and (b) the photos were actually taken 5 years ago (based on the fact that Putin was wearing the same garb in the recent photos and in photos from a previous trip).
And, of course, Putin caught the fish-according to Peskov-with a “Czar Lure”, after fishing without luck with less regal tackle.
My rule of thumb is that if Peskov says it, it’s a lie.
Case in point. Peskov: “Russia has never extradited anyone at any time.”
Russian Prosecutor General website: “Russia extradited 1,011 individuals in 2007.”
None ever. Over a thousand in one year. Same diff. So of course I believe anything Peskov has to say about fish, fowl, or Putin.
Peskov is so egregious that even Jay Carney looks good by comparison, as staggering a thought as that might be.
The fish story is irrelevant, except as an example-as if another were needed-of Putin’s vanity and bizarre obsession with showing the world-or, more precisely, his Russian constituency-of what a studly, manly man he is. And perhaps to the extent that the immediate skepticism about the story illustrates that Putin’s spin is wearing thin. As Putin’s chief spinner, the latter development bodes ill for Peskov.
The only story sillier than Putin’s spin is John Keery seeking peace in the ME.
Comment by The Pilot — July 30, 2013 @ 2:46 pm
Putin is the new Stakhanov: his passed gas alone is enough to power the St. Petersburg power system. I can’t wait for his next miracle, probably involving loaves of bread and a lake.
Comment by sotos — July 31, 2013 @ 6:53 am
“The fish story is irrelevant, except as an example-as if another were needed-of Putin’s vanity and bizarre obsession with showing the world-or, more precisely, his Russian constituency-of what a studly, manly man he is.”
I’d say it’s also a comment on Putin’s opinion of the IQ of the average Russian.
Comment by jon livesey — July 31, 2013 @ 1:17 pm
Richard Feynman never got to Tuva unfortunately:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5Pgmx2WCsY
Comment by zzgorme — August 2, 2013 @ 6:33 am