Fear, Politics, and Russia

I don't claim to be an expert on Russian politics, but some of the news out of the country today was somewhat troublesome for me, and should have direct impact on our election on November 2nd. We are all painfully aware of the tragedy in Beslan, where over 300 innocent lives, many of them children, were taken by a large band of terrorists most likely associated with the Chechan independence movement. President Putin of Russia is very frustrated over the attacks that have been occuring from these separatists. They are well planned and are hideously effective (mostly because Russians move in to quickly).

Today Putin announced some wide sweeping reforms in the Russian government in order to try and combat the terrorist threat:

At an emergency meeting Monday of his Cabinet, top security officials and
regional governors, Putin also announced a radical restructuring of Russia's
electoral system that would increase Kremlin control over every layer of
political life.
Under the plan, popularly elected governors would be replaced
by those nominated by the president, and voters would cast ballots for parties
instead of individual candidates -- ending the practice of legislators
representing specific districts.

Now this is another reaction of fear to terrorists, and it is completely the wrong reaction. Much like the Patriot Act and Iraqi invasion on the part of the US, Russia is trying to find a quick fix to a problem that has exsisted for hundreds of years. The method they choose to try and do this is to take away the freedoms of the Russian people. I mean c'mon, how much more despotic do you get than nominating all regional governors and taking away popular election of individuals. I guess it is a smart move when you want to stay in absolute power. Russia took a step back to the days of Communism today.

And the US is powerless to stop them. We have isolated our world neighbors by pursuing a go-it-alone philosophy in our own war on terror. It is our "Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead!" approach. We have lost our clout and credibility by turning our back on the world. Look at how powerful we are: our diplomatic efforts with North Korea and Iran have led to increased productions of nuclear weapons and programs (real ones, just not plans), our protection of the Saudi royals does not enable us to attack and root out many terrorists and their financial backings, we call Hussein an evil dictator for attacking his people but turn a blind eye to the genocide in the Sudan, and American political fascinations are despised the world over. How will we possibly be able to encourage Putin to put aside this power grab and return the will fo the people to the State Duma? We have no clout, we have a struggling economy, we have no plan except to withstand Hell in Iraq, and no one will mention the name Bin Laden. I don't understand how Bush can even still be in this election. Point to a success that makes a difference?