but I sure as hell don't. All this rhetoric from Putkin is to help his successor gain more control over the populace. Russia may not go back to being a Stalinist state but it is getting very close.

I think you are forgetting that the Decider looked into Putin's soul and saw he was good. Maybe it was like Darth Vader redeemed himself at the end of Return of the Jedi good, but hey George saw it, and decided on it, and that should be good enough for you!

(tongue firmly planted in cheek)