March 18, 2014

Einstein,

E=mc² perfectly explains my geopolitical strategy—small territories like Crimea contain disproportionate energy. Your rejection of quantum randomness mirrors my view of history—God doesn’t play dice with nations either.

Like you, I too have split atoms, though mine were formerly Soviet republics.

— Vladimir Putin
Relativistic Power Politics
April 23, 2012

Vladimir,

Shall I compare thee to a winter’s day? Thou art more harsh and more intemperate. Thy shirtless form on horseback haunts my dreams.

Thy critics vanish like Banquo’s ghost but less chatty. Thy elections fixed like Bottom’s comic dream—”translated” beyond recognition.

Methinks thy power, like Macbeth’s, may someday meet its Birnam Wood.

— William Shakespeare
The Tyrant’s Sonnet
October 7, 1963

Vladimir dear,

I found your “annexation plans” for the neighbor’s swing set! Territorial expansion does NOT apply to the playground. And please stop posing shirtless for your class photos—your teacher is concerned about your “strongman” phase.

The principal called about you establishing a “puppet government” in the student council. While leadership is important, rigging elections and calling classmates “Western spies” is inappropriate.

— The Mother
Revolutionary Parenting