Gangsters in Government: When Sensible Opposition Becomes Dangerous

In October I reminded myself that despite the "gangsterous" ways of the current regime in Russia, there are still wiser voices there (see my blog, Oct 2014). Now another one of these voices - and a booming one - has been cut off, murdered, shot in the back.

Remember Boris Nemtsov.

Gangsters in government are on the rise. Unfortunately, gangsters scare easily. Questions scare them, contradiction is scary, opposition also. Untidy politics is dangerous. Gangster protection - "protection" - is effective. Or so they apparently think, Putin's numerous supporters.

Remember Anna Politovskaya. Remember ...

Too many more to remember. Too many never heard of.
Do not forget the few you can keep in mind.

Too many countries under the gangsters' sway. A brotherhood of gangsters - national and international - is growing by the day.

Too few righteous ones. Strangers to most of us, strangely courageous, strangely ordinary. Conveying images of a better public life.