All's Well and Will End Well

"I would like to draw your attention to the fact that in Russia, unlike in one third of the world's countries, being gay is not a crime. So there is no danger for people of this non-traditional sexual orientation to come to the Games."
"We have not seen any big instances of corruption in terms of the Sochi Games. There have been attempts by executives, contractors to drive up the price. But this goes on in every country in the world. 
"If anyone has such information, give these findings to us, please. But besides talk, no one has given us anything."
Russian President Vladimir Putin

President Vladimir Putin prepares to ski in Krasnaya Polyana, near Sochi. Photograph: Alexei Nikolsky/AP

How that for a couple of big whoppers. So, don't fret you LBGTS types, all is forgiven. Even the non-traditional among you. Actually, nothing to forgive, you're loved and admired in Russia. You just didn't know it. Change your name to Elton John and nothing matters but the performance. You have it on the topmost authority. And don't take offence just because it's assumed you're all child predators. That wasn't the intent; just that Russia has an obligation to itself to protect its vulnerable young from 'gay propaganda' targeting youth.

"The problem with that law is that it sends a signal that says gays are people you can fine, who you can insult, who you can maybe even beat up. Effectively, we don't even have the right to fight discrimination", countered Dmitry Isakov, a gay rights activists whose life the new law impacted on. He lost his job at a state-owned bank once it became known he was the first person charged under the new law.

He carried a placard with the legend: "Freedom to the Gays and Lesbians of Russia. Down with Fascists and Homophobes" last June in Kazan city centre. He was also just incidentally fined $144 for good measure.

As for Mr. Putin's proud legacy project, to show off to the world how modern and economically progressive Russia is, and look at this wonderful Black Sea resort town, aren't we quite wonderful? That some world leaders, like President Obama have made it known they intend to pass on the Winter Olympics this time around, thank you very much, is surely an inglorious snub to Russia and Mr. Putin. Gee whiz, what's a fellow got to do?

Well, this fella has got to secure the venue challenged like no other country has yet been to defend against the very real threats that have been surfacing, meant to disturb the calm and serenity and pride-without-gay involved in staging such an extravaganza. Some venue that is, coming in at a projected cost of $56-billion over its seven-year construction period. Complicated and partially delayed by reports of kickbacks and price fixing.

Mr. Putin, and who can blame him, felt like showing off a little. Hey, if Beijing could do it, why not Sochi, Russia's summer-time resort, hosting a winter-time slate of sport activities. Danger lurks perhaps, but not of the air pollution variety. Everyone needs a little recreation and down-time, and Sochi's hosting of the Olympics was to be Mr. Putin's.

After all, he's a very busy fella, coming up from behind to take the helm of world affairs from the very reluctant-to-perform Mr. Obama. Pulling out all the stops to use his magician's cape and top hat to prove that Iran threatens no one, that Syria's President Assad is a pussycat, that Ukraine is perfectly right to return to the fold, and America's time as the sole superpower has passed.

Enter stage left: Vladimir Putin!