A mansion standing on manicured grounds near the Black Sea resort of Gelendzhik. Whistleblowers allege that the $1 billion “palace” was built for Putin.
And why should not an imperial ruler have a decent place to live? Why should a world leader not have a sumptuous piece of real estate to which he can with aplomb and pride invite other world leaders? Eight million square feet sounds about right. Quality workmanship; check. A fabulous Italianate architectural beauty.
Does not the Queen of England have multiple palaces, extravagant antiques and fabulous works of art, exquisite jewels and all the panoply of royalty? What makes her so special, and not Vladimir Putin?
The question answers itself. What is a billion dollars, give or take a million here or there, to a great country like Russia? Look at the reality; Vladimir Putin was President of his country, he is now Prime Minister of his country and is destined once again to be President. Russians adore their indomitable strongman. It would be shameful for him to have to live in a perfectly ordinary, undistinguished domicile, a rudely unwarranted insult to the country and to the man.
Who can believe the black-hearted claims of his detractors that the Prime Minister has acted illegally to order his mansion built on 74 hectares of prime Black Sea land complete with vineyard and helipad, indoor cinema, summer amphitheatre, casino, swimming pools, gymnasium and clock tower. He deserves the very best - tasteful mind, not ostentatious - that can be claimed through special allocations. Which the enemies of the state insist represents corruption, bribery, theft.
Eight million square feet of gracious living space is precisely the kind of edifice required to express the gratitude of the Russian people to the sacrifices made on their behalf by the peerless Vladimir Putin. A gift from them to him, for he could never of his own earnings afford such a splendid accolade to his skills as diplomat, lawmaker, world leader. The man has no equal on the world stage. Well, Silvio Berlusconi might contest that, but he will not, for he too loves Vladimir Putin.
Long live the 21st Century Czar!
A double-headed eagle with a crown, similar to the Russian coat of arms, atop a gate.
Labels: Russia, That's Life, Traditions
posted by Pieface @ Sunday, February 20, 2011
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