Posted on 05/01/2005 12:48:31 PM PDT by wagglebee
Officials in Volgograd, Russia are planning to unveil a statue of Stalin next week as Russia celebrates the 60th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany, according to a report in the LA Times.
While some nod at the recognition of the key role he played in World War II, criticism predictably flows from Russia's small number of pro-democracy activists.
Alexander Bushkov, author of "Stalin: Throne of Ice," says, "Without Stalin, neither this Great Victory nor this country in general would have been possible. Those were heroic times, and such people will never be born again."
But Igor Dolutsky, author of a high school textbook banned for being too critical of both Russian President Vladimir V. Putin and Stalin, said that popular memories of the dictator amounted to a myth that could do great harm in the future.
"The essence of this myth is that violence, terror and repression can be effectively used to build a great country," Dolutsky said. "I think that the return to Stalinist traditions is actually dangerous."
A recent poll by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center 20 percent of respondents described his role in the life of the country as "very positive" and 30 percent called it "somewhat positive." Only 12 percent described it as "very negative."
Stalin is an icon for those whose long for a stronger state and are angered by the post-Soviet loss of jobs and benefits.
Historians say that 10 million to 20 million people died in purges, famines, deportations and labor camps as a result of his policies from the time he rose to power in the mid-1920s until his death in 1953.
"The essence of this myth is that violence, terror and repression can be effectively used to build a great country," Dolutsky said. "I think that the return to Stalinist traditions is actually dangerous."
I have a feeling that Putin admires Stalin a lot more than people realize.
Oh, I see that they have Democrats, too.
The bastard should have his tongue torn out, his penis ripped out by the roots, and the one replaced by the other. In remembrance of Stalin, of course.
Ping
Stalin is an icon for those whose long for a stronger state and are angered by the post-Soviet loss of jobs and benefits.You beat me to it. Quote Of The Day....LOL.Oh, I see that they have Democrats, too.
-Eric
wonder how his book deals with stalin cutting the initial deal with hitler? Was that a heroic act by stalin?
I hear it looks like Hillary, when she threw that lamp.
That's something that isn't noticed in polite leftist circles. Kind of like certain rude noises.
Does the statue depict Stalin during the first weeks of the war when he was paralyzed by fear and indecision?Naw, it shows him leading the Heroic People's Invasion of Poland, after he and Hitler agreed to divvy it up.
-Eric
Probably doesn't show Hitler and Ribbentrop laughing at him and Molotov either -- for being such suckers. Nor will it show Stalin treating his own soldiers so harshly and unjustly that they went over to the Wehrmacht. And the statue sure won't show Stalin's country getting bailed out of its chronic economic weakness by decades of aid from free enterprise states like America.
Komrade Bushkov has not met Komrade Hillary...yet.
Historians say that 10 million to 20 million people died in purges, famines, deportations and labor camps as a result of his policies from the time he rose to power in the mid-1920s until his death in 1953.
---
I thought that figure looked a bit low. According to this (very interesting site) it most likely is:
http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat1.htm
Stalin and German Foreign Minister sign pact on August 23, 1939 (Hitler invaded Poland one week later).
Hitler and Soviet Foreign Minister in November, 1940 (before Hitler launched his invasion of the Soviet Union).
Stalin was not a "hero", he and Hitler conspired to divide Europe, Stalin was just unable to realize that Hitler would later turn on him. Stalin eventually fared much better in convincing his fellow communist FDR to allow him to have Eastern Europe.
By the by, Mr. Ramsbotham, I believe Hillary was naturally endowed with the physical reassignment, you proffer for Bushkov.
Excellent post!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.