William Safire on "Putin/Poutine"

[Alexandar Mihailovic]

I assume that at least some of the people on this list read William Safire's laughable ruminations
on the different ways of writing and pronouncing the Russian leader's name.  The piece appeared
in the last Sunday's New York Times Magazine (4/1/05),  in his column about language.  I would
assume it's an April Fool's piece,  given its teeming mistakes, if it weren't for the fact that Safire is
notorious for his anti-Russian and anti-French bigotry.  I for one was disgusted by the extent to
which he gave complete free rein to his prejudices,  and by his insufferable posturing as an expert
on language.  I briefly considered writing a letter,  but decided that it would be a waste of time.

Alexandar Mihailovic
Professor of Russian and Comparative Literature
Hofstra University

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