Any thoughts?

Now this is what you call a well thought out post!

 

Fair debates and elections would have been the best way to prove this point

Putin's party would probably have won fair elections, and would have ended up more legitimate and strong than it is today.

 

Well, even if pootin did get what he wanted, at least chaves didn't. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

Have the elections been proven to be unfair?

 

Why shouldnt the Russian people vote for Putin?

 

I think that the Russian people gave Putin a mandate and they also placed their trust in him and his party. I can't remember a time I ever did that with an American president. We choose the lesser of 2 evils. I don't get that feeling from Russians.

Here's Peter Levelles take on it. He puts my thoughts into words.

 

Whatever you say it´s still "odd" to me that it´s ok to criticize Bush and other western politics and politicians here but NOT Russia. Why is that?? Everything said that´s not good is considered more or less an insult.

 

I consider Bushs and Americas foreign policy questionable at best. The same goes for NATO. Russia has abided by every word of the CFE treaty as had the Ukraine, Belarus and several other countries of the old SU that it concerns. NATO and America have either opted out of treaties or simply ignored them.
Who deserves the criticism? Like it or not the vast majority of people in the world are very critical of America and anyone associated with us. America is a dirty word in global society. We need only blame ourselves.
As for my bone with the American media and intellectuals it appears they are dutifully doing their part in this. Russia can do no right in their eyes. Why? A good Russia doesn't sell, an evil dark and threatening Russia does move the papers off the shelf. Couple that with the fact if these writers were to speak of Americas ills such as OUR poverty and things such as issues of race there is a very good chance they could lose their jobs. It's politically correct and above all safe to go after Russia. This is a dangerous situation and does a disservice to us all. Look what it got us into in Iraq.

 

Do you forget Dan Rather?

 

Hi Slava, Sorry I originally misread your post. I just reread it and just "got it." As Homer Simpson might say: DOH!!!

 

Because pootin is doing HER best at trying to restart communism annnnnnnnnnnd with communism, their would not be (on average) of 30 new millionnaires per day in ol mother Russia. In other words, when pootin gets her way and as much power as she can get, you can bet your boots that the masses; will get screwed again. Just wait and it might take a decade or so to happen.

 

What makes you think that he's trying to restart communism?

 

I return your question with a question-and before I reply to it ;-)) What makes you think she isn't trying to restart communism?

 

Hasnt anyone ever told you not to answer a question with another question?

Ok,

There is already a communist party in Russia and it participated in these recent elections. It received 11% of the vote.

What do you got

 

Well stated!!

 

Putin and his people are not going back to Soviet style communism. Period. They know that such a system cannot compete in the world of today, it would at least have to be a hybrid such as China which (like it or not) is basically kicking everybodies arse right now. It may be close to that as we speak. the nationalization of the resources of Russia does speak of SOCIALISM, much like Norways form. Norways oil/gas industry is nationalized, it's proceeds are used for the good of the people not for the lining of the pockets of oligarchs.

What is wrong with Russia doing that?

There are communists there in Russia, SUPPORTED BY (OF ALL PEOPLE) THE WEST!!, they took just over 10 percent of the vote. This only reinforces my belief that it is the wests agenda to destabilize Russia (divide and conquer) and makes Putins party stronger as the people of Russia know this.

 

Another good post Chuikov64th. Putin is a Nationalist. He is not about to let Bush nor anyone else push him around. He is sort of taking Turkey and Iran under his wing. Oil talks.

 

I wonder how much critisism Putin would have received from the West if he had Governed Russia the same way Yeltsin did?

 

18mile, you hit the nail on the head ! Ever think of running for prez ? The US could use a person with a brain for a change. :brushteeth::m-m::m-m:

 

Good lord no! But, I like Rep. Ron Paul from down around your way. He was just up here in SC. yesterday.