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POPSThe Winter of Our Economic Discontent Russian voters who watched Putin build palaces for himself while their roads decayed did the unthinkable by challenging his cult of personality at the polls, and despite the massive voter fraud, dealt a severe blow to his grip on power. As long as Putin holds executive power, the repression will double and the suicides, violent assaults and criminal trials against critics will continue—but it’s clear to everyone that he has lost any popular mandate to rule. Obama lost his popular mandate in 2010, and no matter what happens in 2012, his rule has already ended. Like Putin, he wields executive power, but without the support of the public. It’s ironic that he played such a key role in removing Gaddafi when he had more than a little in common with him. The vain showboating, the flagrant corruption and the constant speeches are a feature of both regimes.
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POPSBullying is still driving kids to suicide Apparently, the steps the government and schools are taking are not enough. A 15 year-old girl killed herself after a year of relentless bullying, rather than face another day of school. Parents need to be taught to recognize the signs of their kids being bullied, or being bullies themselves. What kind of society are we if our children are killing themselves out of despair?