Strange behavior from Putin?

[aidanjm]

Basically, Putin paused during a public meeting, walked to a little boy, stooped down, and gave the kid a kiss on the stomach. The incident has been portrayed in Western media as a rather bizarre incident.

Video footage

Putin's explanation was that he thought the kid was cute, and felt the urge to give him a hug. Western media has portrayed Putin's behavior as inappropriate - almost suggesting that this is sexual assault. Who knows, maybe it is. I wonder though, how much Western hysteria over pedophilia is playing into this. Do you think his behavior was odd or inappropriate?

Article

 

[senseamp]

It was odd, but not sexual. Just overly familiar considering they just met.

 

[boredhokie]

What's wrong with a saucy little kiss on a willing youngster's tummy? It's a great development, in Soviet Russia, kids kissed YOU on the tummy.

 

[zephyrprime]

I care more about his coddling of Iran than of kids.

 

[dardin211]

Maybe Putin is a Michael Jackson fan....

 

[Pens1566]

It's ok. Bush has looked into his eyes and seen his soul.

 

[Stifko]

Originally posted by: boredhokie
What's wrong with a saucy little kiss on a willing youngster's tummy?

I struck me as odd too. Why did he have to lift the kid's shirt and kiss his belly? He could've just given the Russian tyke a hug and a peck on his face.

 

[ayabe]

A little odd but nothing to get excited about, apparently the kid was terrified of him as Putin asked him what his name was a few times and the kid couldn't remember. So I guess it was his KGB way of breaking the ice.

I can't blame the kid though, if I was approached by a former KGB agent who is also a judo badass I probably wouldn't know what to say either.

 

[techs]

I'm more concerned with Putins destruction of democracy in Russia and his yearning for a return of Russian power.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: techs
I'm more concerned with Putins destruction of democracy in Russia and his yearning for a return of Russian power.

QFT

The thing with the boy was weird but holy cow... aren't there bigger issues to worry about when it comes to Putin?

 

[UglyCasanova]

He kissed him like a kitten.

Wtf? Is this a normal thing over there? If so, then whatever. But at the moment it seems fairly odd.

 

[BW86]

Originally posted by: UglyCasanova
He kissed him like a kitten.

Wtf? Is this a normal thing over there? If so, then whatever. But at the moment it seems fairly odd.

lol "like a kitten"? what were they thinking

 

[AnitaPeterson]

What happened to simple human gestures? Why do people (especially in North America) need to see something dirty or dark and foreboding about a simple gesture of affection? Have you ever held a child in your arms?

 

[BW86]

Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson
What happened to simple human gestures? Why do people (especially in North America) need to see something dirty or dark and foreboding about a simple gesture of affection? Have you ever held a child in your arms?

Yes,

Have you ever kissed a stranger on the stomach?

 

[RichardE]

The sad thing is, if Bush did this, he would be impeached. People would be screaming bloody blue murder over this, but forget everything else heh.

 

[Polish3d]

I just passed it off to different culture, but frankly I don't care either way

 

[sandorski]

Probably is a cultural thing. Dudes kiss dudes all the time in those parts and it doesn't mean what we think either. :shrug;