Russia - its history, its land, its art and literature has always inspired awe in my mind. I dont quite understand what is happening in Russia today. Usually whatever happens there is of epic proportions and usually tragic in natureThis A story in today's LA Times about Putin's Q&A with the people make me feel so sad. I come from a country where people expect very little from there politicians. So a little bit of decency makes them grateful. And the politicians exploit that. Putin's exploitation of the media seems to be in similar vain. A lot of people write that this guy is different. That even KGB can breed a decent man. I certainly hope so. The tragedy of Russia, its maffia,its nuclear arms, its hard working and bitter and bright engineers,its alocoholism, the stoicism of its people - it all has the potential of coalascing into something very sad and potentially dangerous for the world.