ODDITIES

David Remnick describes, in this week’s New Yorker, “a paranoid President who refuses
the burdens of democratic accountability and the need to reshape a policy that is good for little
but more bloodshed.” Remnick’s subject is not our Maximum Leader. He’s talking about Vladimir
Putin. But it’s eery. Consider the top story in the print edition of this morning’s New York Times:
“Putin Issues Plan to Tighten Grasp, Citing
Terrorism.” And the top story in this morning’s Washington Post: “Dozens Killed in Baghdad Car
Bombing.” Meanwhile, the Museum of Bad Art has solved the mystery of “Sunday on the Pot With
George.” The portrait is based on none other than John Ashcroft.