There are other, similar, Russian cop videos on Youtube and other web video media.

I am a former resident of Russia. My reaction is absolutely different from what I've seen so far on slashdot. I think it is most probable that this (Medvedev's speech, cops on Youtube)is part of a carefully planned "marketing" campaign by Putin's government.

As pointed out on some other postings here, a dictator must at least appear to occasionally help his people. Medvedev's speech MUST have been approved by Putin, and therefore is part of this plan. The cops probably feel safe enough to post critical opinions because it was pre-approved at the highest levels.

So? Some social steam is released, Medvedev appears to be a leader with broad reforms in democracy, economics, and government corruption.

What is likely to actually change? Nothing. In Former Soviet Russia, GOVERNMENT astroturfs YOU!

When they zombified the fireants, I said nothing
because I was not a fireant...

I have illegible handwriting in FIVE LANGUAGES!

Western countries didn't have Stalin's paranoia. Stalin moved so many scientists to Akademgorodok (Academic Village) in deep Siberia in order to segregate and more easily control them.

Oh, and they did breed. Some of the smartest young Russians I've met were born and raised in Akademgorodok.