Online Public Relations Thoughts

 Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, has denied responsibility for the poisoning of dissident Alexei Navalny.  Putin can get away with that because there is no free press in the country to call him to account.  And, as a dictator with the army under his control, he squelches protestors at will.  China is doing the same in Hong Kong and Maduro in Venezuela.  Dictators don't worry about PR as long as they are ruthless enough to use their armies to put down critics.  Democracy is easily broken.  Hard core rulers ignore it and get their way.  It is only when a state has descended into chaos that the will of the people can be heard.  There is little evidence of that happening around the world now.  Even the US is teetering with the President refusing to abide by election results if they don't go his way.  Voting is essential but is not absolute.  Dictators manipulate ballot boxes to their advantage.  Democracy requires honest listening to the public and willingness to abide by its decisions.  We need more of it.