Trump suggests a G8 with Russia included

2013 G8 Image borrowed from here. Singling out the Kremlin’s support for Assad, Harper said, “this is the G-7 plus one.”

Trump suggests a G8 with Russia included

"We never left" says Putin [YouTube]

"I told Europe ... They Didn't Listen”![YouTube]

Hey, here's a quote I'll be saving: Media critic Peter Ford says, "Trump is not an unmitigated disaster; he's a mitigated disaster." [YouTube]

Take a look [YouTube] at the ham actors Putin would have to put up with in a renewed G8.
Canada's Ukrainian foreign minister, like a scary schoolteacher, says he'd have to "behave". What imperious gall from a proudly-admitted "close friend" of Soros!

In the headlines: Putin says: US wouldn’t admit backing ‘euro-meddler’ Soros, yet Moscow’s asked to comment on troll farms?

People need to take the time to watch a few indepth interviews of Russia's President. This is in no way to suggest he is a saint or that Yours Truly is a member of a fan club; this is to say that when he speaks he is noticeably more cogent, more natural, more decently human -- not to mention saner -- than just about any other national leader I can think of at the moment.

He is extremely intelligent, has a quiet, humane philosophy of life, and if he were running for office in Canada I would find it difficult not to vote for him. Oh, heck. Maybe it's just because he's a Libra and so am I.

But watch the videos anyway. It may help to dispel the boogieman aura. Believe me, we have worse things to deal with right next door in the US, and here in our own Parliament.

This video demonstrates Putin's gentle and warm sense of humour. Could you see Trump having this kind of fun, especially with a young would-be athlete?

Next: Oliver Stone's "Putin": A long, but fascinating interview in 4 parts.

Here's one where Putin is continually interrupted by an Austrian interviewer attempting to make a case for Russian guilt in the downing of the MH17, the "annexation" of Crimea, and the "troll farm".

There's also a shorter version of the most pithy moments with a vocal interpreter.

He is invariably calm and natural, though no pushover, and he is answering really tough and pointed questions -- explaining things at length in his own words; not reading from any script. Not like anything we've seen in a western leader in a long time.

Full Video: Vladimir Putin's presidential inauguration ceremony in Kremlin
If you can tolerate the pomp and ceremony, you'll get to see some lovely scenes of Russia itself.

Now here's FUN. One of my favourite Russian Flash Mob videos!  Just to show Russians are not a dangerous, backward people. Kalinka Flashmob in Kaliningrad, Russia

You should enjoy this also:
Moscow wedding flashmob - Puttin' on the Ritz  (Putin? on the Ritz)

Trust me, Russia is not out to get us.  They've been through way too much in their history to want more of it.  And when you hear a hater spit out, "Putin was KGB" as if it were a filthy word, just try to remember where that attitude about spies came from - right here in the American and Canadian spy industry.  If we have to respect our own "security" personnel, maybe we should respect others' as well.

I don't know who downed the MH17.  I don't even know for sure who shot Liberty Valance. But I wouldn't put anything past a Soros fan, a big-mouth bully, or a scolding shrew (I'm willing to bet you know who I'm talking about). But I do know how important it is for The West to smear the competition.

Below Image borrowed from here.