Just hours ago, ex-mobile phone mogul and exiled oligarch du jour Yevgeny Chichvarkin made his first public appearance since going AWOL last December. His re-emergence takes the form of a vaguely allegorical, highly effusive LiveJournal post. The somewhat odd story included some characters living in America, and dialogue about “following one's dreams” and “reaching one's potential.” Plus, a music link! (The song’s opening lyrics are: “The fog/the fog…”) With a warrant out for his arrest, we're not sure this is a wise move on Chichvarkin’s part, but it's nice to see him following in the literary footsteps of other famous Russian exiles. Like Trotsky.

Still, Chichvarkin’s post isn’t half as interesting as the 60+ responses from diehard fans. Here's a sampling:
“Come back. We’re waiting for you. We’ll make politics together.”
“I hope to see your victory; I hope you’re not another one exiled from his motherland. Good luck!”
“Please don’t be sad.”
“Stay strong!”
“Yay! You’ve returned! :) If Only to LJ! :)”
“There’s no point in returning. There are only prison bars here.”
“How can I help?”
“Don’t let your spirits get low. Everything happens for a good reason.”

Yevgeny Chichvarkin’s post [chich8.livejournal.com]
Reactions to Yevgeny Chichvarkin’s post [chich8.livejournal.com/5844]

Photo courtesy of cache.daylife.com