Yeltsin’s Pulitzer Prize
Boris Yeltsin’s memorable moments stemmed from ranting for change perched high above a soviet tank to gay spurts of electoral freedom, as captured in Rostov, Russia 1996 by photographer, Alexander Zemlianichenk. Zemlianichenk’s photograph received the Pulitzer Prize in 1996 because the mood in the country, decimated by years of communist rule, corrupt leadership and lost generations of creativity, exemplified how one leader’s seeming awkwardness could revolutionize it’s citizens for change. Of course, Yeltsin’s 76 years (he died today) probably weren’t helped by his public display of drunkenness – another possible reason for the importance of Zemlianichenk’s photograph. Tonight, over dinner, raise a glass high – be it wine, water, Smirnoff or a brewski – and give thanks to visionaries like Yeltsin for removing the imminent, obvious threat of nuclear winters forever. Boris, you loose cannon, we’ll miss you – for happy dancing that is.
