Putin Tightens Grip on Power in Russia (From the Washington Post).

Vladimir, Some next steps you might consider would be abolishing term limits for himself, giving yourself the right to appoint your successor. I would suggest also endowing your office with legislative authority. To compliment the executive power of pardons, you could also give the executive branch the power of arraignment, as well as execution of all criminal sentences (pun intended).

And while you are at it, Vladimir, how about a new title. President doesn’t really capture your spirit. Dictator? Tzar? You could go the Arab way, and call yourself Colonel.

And a warm water port would be nice. May I suggest invading Poland while you’re at it. Europes balls appear to be missing at the moment, this might be an opportune time to reclaim territory lost since 1989. Also, would anyone really notice if you took Mongolia? I didn’t think so. And Manchuria would also be a nice addition.

UPDATE FROM YOUR MAXIMUM LEADER:Wasn’t our friend Vladimir ACTUALLY a Colonel in the KGB? Major perhaps? No time to Google and find out…