I was shocked, yet not surprised, by how many direct emails I received to my personal mailbox after my posting on Putin. What did take me a little of guard, however, was the overwhelming amount of letters from all you in which you agreed with my stance. I could not believe how many Americans recognize a great leader (we’re not talking platform here, people; we’re talking fundamental leadership propensity, remember). But I have to address the, let’s estimate it at around 15% of you, who dissented from my viewpoint. The mass majority of you all asked me the same question (lest you think you were novel, if you were one of the many): Do I think that Hitler was a great leader, as well? Comparing Putin to Hitler is like comparing apples to durian. Sure, both may be edible, but one is easily digested — and dare is say — even craved at times, and the other one almost always induces the gag reflex — sometimes even vomiting. Instead of writing to all of you oenogal “dissenters,” one-by-one I’m going to cut and paste a response I wrote to one of the very first of you to write me directly: “Hitler was not a great leader; he was a pedantic demagogue, a scumbag of the sort of whom was known in the 1800s as a "snake oil salesman" — and there is a huge difference. Hitler ruled by mind control and force; Putin rules with respect and an inherent sense of communal nationalism. Both are fascists in the annals of history, but Hitler led by creating an atmosphere of fear of his rule; Putin leads by an inherent trust by his constituents in his judgement and power given to him as privilege after his tenure as a prevalent officer in the KGB. Hitler thought his rule was a right granted him by god.  I do not agree with either of their ideals or actions, certainly, but I do believe that one of them is leader worthy of formidable respect. And I don't mean Hitler.”