Putin's Russia, eh?

Back from his, um, day off, Andrew has this to say about Palin’s lack of face time with the press:

If you want to know what it’s like to live in Putin’s Russia, the Republican party is giving you a good taste.

Yes, Andrew, that’s exactly what it’s like. Luckily, Michael Moynihan over at Reason sets the record straight:

Last week, I mentioned the murder of dissident Russian journalist Magomed Yevloyev, who was arrested upon returning to his native Ingushetia, shot in the head, and his body dumped by the side of the road. … I’m not entirely sure that this needs unpacking—his headline is pretty unambiguous—but Sullivan should probably recognize that a press corps trying to wrangle an interview with an elusive V.P. candidate (and hamstrung by a McCain campaign petrified of a “General Whatshisname” moment) isn’t at all analogous to a state-run media run by an illiberal band of Putin lackeys.

Sarah Palin’s refusing to talk to a press that has engaged in the most reckless of speculation about her personal life is nothing at all like murdering journalists who you disagree with. That’s what’s happening in Russia right now. Dissidents to Putin are being murdered with impunity by political thugs.

Words matter, Andrew. So do comparisons. All you’re doing by hyperventilating in this manner is turning people off.