Politic?

Humbly Honourable Vladimir Putin

"This destruction of traditional values from above not only entails negative consequences for society, but is also inherently anti-democratic because it is based on an abstract notion and runs counter to the will of the majority of people."
"We do not infringe on anyone's interests, we do not force our patronage on anyone, or try to teach anyone how to live.
"[Traditional family values were a bulwark against] "so-called tolerance -- genderless and infertile."
Russian President Vladimir Putin
"Nobody should have any illusion about the possibility of gaining military superiority over Russia. We will never allow this to happen."

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers an annual state of the nation address at the Kremlin in Moscow, on December 12, 2013. (AFP Photo / Mikhail Metzel)

Russia is accustomed to being the dominating force in its region. It is a Russian entitlement, in fact. To assume power over those within its near geography dependent on its largesse, its kindly disposition toward others. With the obvious exception of any who dare assert their independence and claim for themselves the right to their own sovereign entitlements.

In his annual state of the nation address, President Putin reassured his countrymen that their autocratic strongman upholds the traditions that most conservative Russians are most comfortable with. He presents as the epitome of masculinity in all its functioning glory. There is no enterprise too physically daring that he is not capable of mastering. They have reason to feel great pride in their leader.

A leader who has been incrementally and carefully refurbishing the recent, lamented past. Fixated on restoring to Russia the trust, respect, power and authority that was all lost with the dissolution of the Soviet Union through the backlash of ingratitude and petty nationalism. Russia's sphere of influence may have waned with its economic fortunes, but both have been restored to a credible level, allowing for a certain level of self-satisfied arrogance to glance through the facade of stern dutifulness.

Mr. Putin rejects what he sees as other nations, particularly those who celebrate themselves as liberal-democracies confusing "good and evil", permitting them the forgiveness of social equality. And here, those within liberal-democracies tinged with a shade of conservatism look upon some, like for example, Mr. Putin himself, as flirting with the concept of moral equivalency.

Just to pluck an example out of the void, viewing the bloody butcher of Syria as a legitimate ruler whose regime must be respected and its 'rights' upheld. And the Islamic Republic of Iran surely being entitled to enriching uranium, for are those two countries of impeccable reputation as respectable nations within the fold of the United Nations not entitled as worthy of governing as they will?

Russia's spats with Georgia, Latvia, Poland and Ukraine, the powerful acting out the bully role is obviously just seen in that way by its critics. For its part, Russia is truly a concerned and just country whose administration is anxious to remain on a good-neighbour footing with its past satellites, and if those countries choose of their own volition and their admiration for Moscow to remain within its orbit, then so be it.

Russia does not infringe, it welcomes the interested participation of other countries for whom it can act as agent and sponsor of the good life. Ukraine, needless to say, being one of them. Welcome to join the economic union spearheaded by the Kremlin to its lasting advantage; prepared to suffer the consequences, should it decide otherwise, as a self-imposed penalty.

Enter the Monarch of all he surveys -- RIA Novosti / Michail Klimentyev

Russia, after all, remains genuinely neutral in all such circumstances. As for the scourge of homosexuality and the backlash from the supporters of that unnatural offence against humanity, let them try to disgrace themselves by fomenting a scene at Sochi; they will bear the consequences regardless of how celebrated they may happen to be on the international scene; popular performer or head of state; beware.

Nothing surpasses in value the traditional family, and normal congress. All the more puzzling that Russia has been suffering a steep decline in its birthrate; the lowest of any developed nation. Accountable, obviously, by the prevalence of homosexuals in Russian society, a demographic that spoils the natural order of human increase, while shuddering with fear over the righteous indignation of state rejection; beware.

Interference from the United States, restless in its waning superpower status, along with irritations from other noxious Western countries will not tolerated by a Russia that does not stoop to becoming "some kind of superpower", for it is beneath Russia, a tolerant, forgiving and friendly country to all others wishing to have good relations with one that absolutely rejects any vestige of the former Cold War.

Whereas American plans for anti-missile shields clearly mark that country's sinister ambitions.