Once a year, Russian autocrat-with-the-Napoleon-complex Vladimir "Vlad the Invader" Putin participates in a call-in program where Russians can ask questions (although it's obvious that the questions are pre-approved). In response to canned questions about Crimea and Ukraine, Putin admitted for the first time that Russian troops were now in occupied Crimea assisting local militia, asserting that Russia had the right to use force in eastern Ukraine, and that the eastern region of Ukraine had traditionally been part of Russia, referring to it as "New Russia." Tens of thousands of Russian forces are positioned near the border with Ukraine, as pro-Russian agitators and Russian operatives continue to seize buildings, attack police stations, etc.
In a thinly-veiled jab at the U.S., Vlad the Invader took a call-in from Putin's honored guest and Ron Paul enthusiast Edward "Shoot My Balls" Snowden, who tossed a softball to his host, asking him if Russia -- wink wink -- used mass surveillance of the kind the NSA uses. Of course not, Vlad replied presumably with a straight face, adding that Russia didn't have the capability (if only they did, Vlad might be wishing). We're thinking after that performance, Snowden might be expecting to stay in his adopted country a while longer -- willingly or not.
UPDATE: Putin's thugs in eastern Ukraine have a Passover message for Jewish citizens. This "New Russia" is starting to resemble "Old Germany."
(Image: They have Czar outfits in the boy's wear department?)
