Posted on 03/01/2018 8:59:09 AM PST by GoldenState_Rose
Without a coherent vision of the future or an attractive model for others to imitate, without any soft power to speak of, without an economic model that can ensure sustainable growth or keep people out of poverty, the missile-rattling is a terrifying but hollow sound.
In the context of a mock election with a predetermined result, Russia's growing military might means better protection for an unaccountable, oppressive regime that doesn't have to keep any of the promises it makes. It's muscle without hope or substance.
Putin's fascination with the new toys is understandable.
This part of the speech carried a three-part message to Western, primarily U.S., leaders:
— "We've never ceased to be a major nuclear power but no one would listen to us. Listen to us now!" (This line was greeted with a standing ovation)
— If you believed Russia was permanently left behind after the Soviet Union's breakup, you miscalculated: "Russia containment has failed."
— The U.S. anti-missile defense system and the expansion of NATO infrastructure to Russia's borders are "ineffective and a useless financial burden."
"This is not a bluff," Putin insisted — a claim that I hope will never be tested.
(Excerpt) Read more at themoscowtimes.com ...
It is hollow, but it is not that terrifying. Putin just lies. It has happened so many times already.
They don't have this missile and they will never have this missile. He is just showing cheap computer animations hoping to rile up the old Russian Imperialism (I think he will succeed) and scare the rest of the world (I doubt he'll succeed).
He needs to do it because it will be the Russian version of "elections" soon. He won't care about how the people will vote as he'll be counting these, but he wants a lot of people to show up and this is part of the advertising campaign for that.
Why he's as Russian as Soros, the EU and NATO.
Where do all those Russian wristwatches, TVs, refrigerators come from ?
Why arent you this passionate about exposing the globalist ties of Russian oligarchs and their Western bank accounts?
Oooh boy, the bogey man of NATO and the EU were mentioned, my gawrsh.
Antique stores? Dollar bins?
Russian mechanical wristwatches have some popularity and are something that edgy/rebellious kids might like to wear to make a statement and I think these came from the trophy factories Russians took from Germany and shipped to Russia.
Broken low quality TV-s and shitty refrigerators can come from anywhere.
Why do you ask about these things?
The entire speech showed the failure of the West to integrate Russia into the modern First World economic system.
Subjecting Russia to idiot Libertarian economic “shock therapy” as it was termed in the early ‘90s merely culminated with financial collapse in 1998.
Putin was the response to all of this. His actions to re-impose discipline in the banking and stock segments of their economy resulted in stability and rising incomes for Russians, buoyed by oil prices.
He headed up the group of people who had decided that the West planned to let them die and gloat over the corpse.
After all, what was our message to them? Drop Communism so you can lose all your industries and starve to death as your daughters become whores to feed themselves?
His war with Ukraine is a trade war. He wanted to keep Ukraine within an economic trade zone dominated by Russia and the other Slavic countries. The Neocon dominated globalists did not like that and helped disrupt that plan which included the pro-Russian thug Yanukovytch as President of Ukraine.
The sanctions that came out of that were seen in Russia as an attempt to starve them yet again. The reaction of building up his military is seen as justified by Russians.
All of this could have been avoided if we had an incremental recovery plan for Russia starting in 1992.
But the West decided to turn their back on Russia. Worse then that they saw NATO expansion East as a direct threat. Where are they wrong? G. H. W. Bush promised Gorbachev that NATO would not expand if the Soviet Union dropped the Warsaw Pact and ceased to exist.
Putin and his re-arming is the direct result of all of that. Put them in a corner and they will fight.
It never had to happen.
Please, don’t introduce an actual understanding of history, economics, and human nature into any discussion that targets Russia as the great evil of our day.
Stop making sense.
L
Problem is Russia is a failed economic state run by pick pockets. Can hardly square how they can afford it.
The people do indeed love him which is so frustrating. Reminds of the love affair the Columbian people had for Escobar. But at least Escobar shared his money with them, rather than taking it.
So Russia’s problems are the West’s fault? OK.
Putin can’t be a popular reaction to anything because he was hand picked by Yeltsin and made his successor.
Sad to see that you’re another one buying into this popular story where the west needs to self flagellate and repent and hope if enough prayers with appeasement are sent toward Moscow they’ll forget they’r evil ways.
Objectively Moscow has nothing to complain about. They were met with open arms and a hefty unearned trust credit that they burned through the minute they got their oil money and thus the mean arrogance back.
Putin is a Chavez type hero. They both got into the head of their petrostates in 2000 when the oil boom started and the results of 5x rising oil price are attributed to their “economic miracles” by their fans. When the oil boom ended both of their miracles collapsed.
I don't know what damp, dark, biological, channel you've had your head stuffed into for the past 35 years but the people in charge here have sold off the seed corn built up over many generations. Money flowing back in now may or may not turn that around, it depends on whether people stay focused on shedding the same old bastards who have run things for so long once they have two nickels to rub together and their neighbors aren't dying like flies from drug overdoses.
If history is any guide, as soon as the economy turns around and stabilizes for five or six years most people in this country will go right back to grazing and chewing their cuds while ignoring the meat packing house being built in their comfortable little meadow.
>US the same thing they did to Russia?
What sort of commie apologism would you like to engage today? Stalinist? Leftist? Third Way? No ... what I am thinking! Your brand is certainly a Russian expat variety.
Hey, you're priceless. Go right to name calling, no other response required.
Rash likes that in a little twit, keep up the good work.
Thanks ... I guess. You still have a lot to learn about compliments. Next time you should try calling the person you are trying to flatter something like Big Swinging Dick. That was just one small thing though and don’t worry too much about this, kid. You’ll get there!
Excellent summary...although rather than turning its back, I’d say the West actively facilitated the asset stripping Russia’s original oligarchs engaged in.
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