I guess there are no local writers available

The Globe's op-ed page is hallowed ground for local political analysts looking to spread their name and theory. It is a must-stop for any PR person looking to gain traction for his or her client's ideas.

So it's nice to see the Globe turning over precious op-ed space to an aspiring editorialist looking to sway US policy on Russia.

Muammar Gaddafi, the leader of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, recently returned from a state visit to the Russian Federation.

Say what?

The topic is a legitimate one -- our ever escalating tensions with Russia merits some discussion in the marketplace of ideas.

But it would be fascinating to know how this piece wound up in the Globe. No offense, but how many other newspapers rejected it? Who is representing Gaddafi? How much is the author being paid? Couldn't the PR advisor find a Harvard faculty member the same thing while not stirring up the kinds of comment that have already started to register?

It's probably also appropriate to note that my random musings occasionally appear under the Globe's Vox Op feature. There's no compensation because they obviously don't know who to send it to -- although I doubt my fellow contributors don't mind doing freebies either. After all it is the exposure. Just like Gaddafi.