Hours ago a bomb exploded in a Moscow marketplace, killing at least 8 people and injuring dozens of others. Initial reports were that it was unlikely that Chechen extremists or other terrorists were responsible, with indications that mafia activity may be been the cause, thus hinting at the conclusion that Russians themselves, together with the absence of the rule of law in Russia, can be just as dangerous to each other as any terrorists, and that having a KGB spy as president is no guarantee of order in the streets. It's even been reported that the mafia are making threats against Madonna, who has scheduled a concert in Russia. What's the point of having a crazed secret policeman as your president if he can't even prevent this kind of thing? Clearly, Russia is getting the worst of all possible worlds, and yet the lemming-like Russians continue to favor Putin was nosebleed-high approval ratings. Well, you get what you pay for.