Morning Joe interrupted its panel’s banter today to bring live coverage of Pres. Obama participating in a wreath-laying ceremony in Moscow at the tomb of Russia’s unknown soldier.

There was PBO, forced to walk at an unnaturally slow place, stuck behind a goose-stepping Russian soldier even younger and more fresh-faced than he. Comic relief was provided by a portly fellow shambling along screen right carrying a briefcase [the Russian nuclear "football" perhaps?]

Have a gander at PBO’s expression and tell me if it doesn’t look as if he’s thinking: “how did I get stuck in this?”

Yes, yes, all respect to Russian soldiers, millions of whom died helping to defeat Hitler. But I’m sure Putin & Co. got a kick out of subjecting the hotshot Americansky to this march, which seemed to go on longer than Napoleon’s on Moscow.