Putin a "virile vampire." Huh?

J. sent me a link to this article in the Telegraph.  

"Vladimir Putin has enhanced his image as Russia's leading sex symbol after a commemorative magazine wholly dedicated to his virility and reputation as a "vampire" rapidly sold out in the kiosks of Moscow."

Among the highlights:

"This time the magazine has outdone itself, carrying numerous photos of the prime minister in heroic poses, kayaking, swimming with dolphins and arm wrestling, under the headline: "Sometimes He's Just So Cool".  "There's not a single woman who would not dream of embracing and kissing Vladimir Vladimirovich and hearing his declaration of love," the article opined.

While this "commemorative magazine" can be dismissed as a government controlled media's pandering to its puppeteer, I had to chortle at the idea of Putin as a sex god.  Yes, he seems to be in decent shape for a man his age, but he's also gray as a zombie in 99% of the pictures taken of him, as well as being thin lipped, weak chinned, narrow eyed, and balding.  None of which would really matter, if he were a nice guy on the up an up instead of a controlling powermonger intent on squelching freedom and democracy in Russia while simultaneously playing a chess game with Russia's oligarchs.

Compare him to Mikhail Khodorkovsky, another 90's ruthless  manipulator who was singled out as dangerous by Putin and now resides in a Siberian prison thanks to Mr. Sexy.  Khodorkovsky manages to look good even in jail.  Well, at his trial, at least.  Who knows what he looks like now, nestled as he currently is, in the heart of Krasnokamensk's uranium mines.