You Again, Vladimir?

Has it been that awfully long that Vladimir Putin vacated the presidency of Russia?

I could swear that he's still around, still doing what he does best, representing the interests of Russia, which just incidentally coincide with his own. Oh yes, he's been busy manipulating the current president, his great good friend, Dmitry Medvedev, while himself undertaking the strenuous task of making the most of the prime ministership of Russia.

His power lies intact. It is he who pulls the strings of the puppet. But he chafes at the clumsy separation that the Russian constitution has inflicted so unhandily between himself and the stature and grandeur of the presidency. He so very much would like to resume that very seat of power once again. And he has the blessing of his people, the voting public of the country, so why not?

Laws, after all, are enacted to represent the best interests of the people, are they not? And if the law errs, why then, alter it to more adequately reflect the will of the people. Hence, President Medvedev obligingly called for the extension of presidential terms during his first State of the Nation address.

No, not for himself, but for his great good friend.

A mere amendment that will extend a presidential term from four to six years. So that when President Medvedev steps aside very soon, from a position he was prevailed upon to baby-sit to create a legal hiatus, the much beloved Vladimir Putin may once again ascend to his coveted place, anticipating two consecutive presidencies, for a total of a dozen ruling years.

Absent the legal and political capability to rule in perpetuity that should handily solve that little dilemma.