Putin lauds the motorcycle
Makes an appearance at a rally in Ukraine, and hails the powered two-wheeler as the most "democratic" form of transportHere is something that another Russian political leader, the late Boris Yeltsin, could not have seriously contemplated doing, as he was half cut on vodka most of the time.
I speak of Russian Prime Minister Vladamir Putin's recent appearance at a motorcycle rally in Ukraine, where he declared "motorcycles [are] the ultimate symbol of freedom".
Putin, who shares executive power in Russia with the president Dmitry Medvedev (an office he once held himself), arrived at the rally, which was organised by Russia's biggest outlaw motorcycle gang, wearing fingerless gloves and astride a Harley-Davidson TriGlide.
He then addressed the 5000-strong crowd with some pearls of wisdom, which included a peppering of political remarks.
"The bike, the motorcycle is, of course, the most democratic form of transport," Putin said to an enraptured audience.
"Long live Russia, long live Ukraine, and long live the bike."
He then continued: "It is the symbol of freedom. You are all gathered here not because the party of the government told you to...
"You rode out here because you are free people and you wanted to be here today."
When will the 'real' Julia step up and extol the same virtues in Australia?
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
