This story from the BBC and these images just make me laugh, I can’t help it.  While I’m aware this stunt is not meant for the western world (let’s forget the Brokeback references here), it makes me slightly ill to think that people still fall for such blatent attempts at crafting public image.

Here, let’s show his muscles, here let’s show him in the Siberian wilderness, being kind to young children…AS IF THESE ARE THINGS HE DOES ON A REGULAR BASIS?

To think that anyone would base their thoughts or feelings on such a manufactured stunt - and i’m sure people do - is depressing.

What’s even more hilarious, is that buried at the bottom of the BBC’s story, there seems to be metadata (maybe an alternate title?) that says “Putin the prime ministerial pin-up”.

BBC - Putin’s action-man hoiday album