Moscow Times: Twitter Users Mock West With #BlamePutin Hashtag
(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – August 4, 2014) With tensions between Russia and many Western countries mounting, some people think that Russian President Vladimir Putin is being unfairly painted in a bad light.
In fact, they feel so strongly about this that they have come up with their own Twitter hashtag to make their case. Tagging their tweets with #blameputin, they are now posting real or alleged grievances and pretending the Russian leader is responsible for them.
The hope behind these tweets is that the exaggerated claims will make some of those being raised in earnest look just as ridiculous. So far, Putin has been blamed for people’s bad lifestyle choices …
All my attempts to quit smoking have failed. #BlamePutin
Having a bad day at work?! #BlamePutin
I should go bed but I’m not tired cos iv slept all weekend… I #blameputin
And while one Twitter user claims Putin is behind his current (mild) health issues …
#BlamePutin I woke up this morning slightly stuffed and had to blow nose. We know who caused it…Putin, of course.
… others blame him for the welfare and general behavior of their pets.
My goldfish just caught #Ebola damn it, I #blameputin
My cat vomited on the porch hand railing. #BlamePutin
Still, some Twitter users just may be overestimating the power of Russia’s president. Not that is isn’t funny to imagine him advising U.S. sitcom stars Sheldon Cooper, Leonard Hofstadter and Penny – or the actors playing them – to hold out for more money before resuming their work.
Filming halted on new series of Big Bang Theory http://www.tv.com/shows/the-big-bang-theory/community/post/the-big-bang-theory-delays-production-amid-cast-contract-negotiations-140673943426/ … #bbt #BlamePutin
It’s also quite a compelling image to think of Putin setting up the bit of overgrown roadside swamp that this tweet blames him for.
Камыши и болото на предмостной площади – виноват Путин! #BLAMEPUTIN
Or telling English football clubs which new players to go for.
If Arsenal don’t sign Khedira #blameputin
Still, there are some things that date back to times before Putin – and will continue to trouble people decades from now once he goes to the big dacha in the sky.
Scunthorpe is worse than Hull I #blameputin
Could only find one of my favourite socks when I emptied the washing machine, typical.. #BlamePutin
Still, given the popularity of the #blameputin hashtag, it is only a matter of time before someone makes a Putin-specific version of this image: