Me too, I felt a bit shy at first, so I didn't want to write to Putin a second (or even a third) time, but I will do so now. Thanks for your words of encouragement, herodancer.voyageur said:I've written offering encouragement and support and will continue to do so.
It is very disheartening hearing from my fellow citizens parroting MSN disdain, especially directed as it is in Russia to Putin alone. Tonight met with some co-workers; one new. He idly talked of Alberta and oil prices and then said the problem was the House of Saud's oil production spikes and I offered the usual demands from Kerry types to undermine the Russians. This new guy took that as a cue to explain that he was very knowledgeable about politics and agreed. He then went on to offer up examples of Russia and what they have done to Ukraine and Crimea, how Putin was just evil Nazi - oh boy, wrong bar, this was not going well. I asked him just what is it Putin has done? He exploded in a litany of MSN typical lies in support of Ukraine - his foundation was set. This is such a sad thing.
I asked my neighbour the very same question, voyageur, and he just looked at me. Although he knew of some examples of western propaganda he couldn't see why he thinks Putin is a 'dictator'. You are right, it is tragic and at the same time to be expected, alas.