[quote author="skek" date=1233301082]More on Putin...
Apparently many attendees felt in person what I saw on TV, which is that Putin was gloating over the Americans in his speech. Following the speech, Putin engaged in a Q&A session. One of the questioners (in a meet-up that could only happen in Davos), was Michael Dell. Here's how Jay Nordlinger tells the story:
<blockquote>After Putin?s speech, in a Q&A, Michael Dell says that he, too, was particularly interested in what the prime minister had to say about overweening government. He says that he was surprised?as well he might have been. He then asks Putin?if I have heard him correctly?what the world can do to help Russia in the area of computerization: getting people, particularly young people, online.
Putin says (I paraphrase), ?We don?t need any help. We are a strong country. Invalids need help, children need help, developing countries need help.? The Russian journalists around me shriek with delight. Putin continues, ?Our computer experts are as good as anybody, and I think even the Indians will admit this.? More shrieks of delight.
It is interesting to see journalists take such pride in their national leader abroad. I have a feeling they will not be writing anything too critical?which in any case is prudent of them.</blockquote></blockquote>
I was watching CNBC today when they reported on this. I saw the video footage (with audio translations) and the text above is about right. My jaw actually dropped. Putin totally bitch-slapped Dell.