"The Return of the Monster!"

I wonder if Bram Stoker and Mary Shelly knew what they were starting when they penned their most famous characters; Frankenstein and Dracula! Both of the original novels are compelling and well written; and not much like the movie treatments. When "Frankenstein" and "Dracula" entered the movies, could anyone have predicted the plethora of sequels that would follow them? Frankenstein would go on to meet the "Wolf Man", as would Dracula. Frankenstein would have a host of relatives show up, daughters and sons, even a teenage version in the 1950s. Dracula also had his family show up as his son and daughter and some of his wives wreaked havoc on an unprepared populous. No matter what was used to destroy these monster icons, they kept coming back! We now have contemporaries such as Freddy Kruger and Jason, who seem just as sturdy as "Old Drac and Frank". Sometimes monsters are difficult to remove! Burning wind mills, stakes in the heart, glaciers and drowning seem to have no effect on these monsters. I'm really glad they only exist in fiction.

I recently read that former Russian President Vladimir Putin is going to seek the Russian Presidency once again. Yes, my fellow Americans, the former head of the KGB, and former President seems ready to resurrect himself as the Chief Executive in Russia. Under the Russian Constitution, a person can only serve two consecutive terms as president; unlike our constitution, after a term layoff, they can seek office again (thank God we don't have that here).

Putin alluded that he may want to return to the Presidency when Dimitry Medvedev took office. The popular opinion is that Medvedev was just keeping the seat warm for Putin's return. The article I read said Putin is beginning to doubt Medvedev's loyalty. In the old days of the KGB, I'm sure disloyalty would be quietly removed, if you know what I mean! It's a good thing Russia is such a staunch republic now (sarcasm).

What does this mean to America? Iran and Syria are rumored to have very close, "under the table" discussions with Russia, and none of these three nations are overly fond of Israel or the United States. Russia still has a stockpile of nuclear weapons and usable plutonium, and I'm sure they are willing to deal these commodities to the highest bidder. Believe this, America, if Iran or Syria gets a hold of these dangerous elements, radical Islamist terrorists will certainly have access to them.

We have already entered into terrible arms agreements with the Russians, leaving America in a weakened condition. The return of Putin will only make things worse than they are now.

I find it interesting that Dracula was based on a character called "Vlad the Impaler"; you know Vlad is short for Vladimir.