[SampleMan]

As I recall, Soviet Republics weren’t too autonomous.

It’s pertinent, because this is a site for people dedicated to individual freedom. You on the other hand have a strong interest in Russian nationalism. I wanted to know if you were still there or if you had immigrated to the U.S.

Your English is understandable, but you are obviously not a fluent native speaker.

I had hoped Russia would become free after 1989. There is no reason for the U.S. and Russia to be adversaries, but I guess Russia needs an important enemy.

[Cossak]

Degree of autonomy can be different of course. My birth certificate is written in two languages - Yakut and Russian. There were local newspapers and radio broadcasts on two languages too. As kid I was not interested much what autonomy really was. I do not think it would be possible for Yakutia to develop any independent economy and culture besides paleostatic one because of cold climate and extremely low density of populace.

It is questionable if freedom per se has so high value. Would you be happy to live in area with criminally inclined individuals and no police patrolling nearby?
I do not quite understand what is your perception of Russian nationalism. My maternal granddad arrived to Amur region from Ukraine, his surname was Linsky, evidently Pole one, my paternal granddad was Transbaikal Cossack, his wife was half-Mongolian Christened woman. My best friends since childhood were Tatars, Poles,Germans, Russans, my favorite first teacher was German woman. My coach in wrestling was Mongolian, and I have great respect to him. My ex-wife is Ukrainian.
I can read in English almost with same speed as in Russian, but do not dare to claim that I can write. And practically cannot speak because had no opportunity and need. I live in Vladivostok, town near China and North Korea borders. BTW my daughter visited town Portland, Oregon, two years ago. Judging by rules in US Consulate USA are police state lol. I served in Bank of Russia, and rules for visitors there are much less strict.
I never had intention to emigrate. I am rather traditionalist than rootless cosmopolite :) I think man must make better place where he lives and not leave parents, relatives, friends and country seeking opportunity to live at other people account.
Sough I like to travel.
Russia has no need in enemies, it is US financiers who have need in big force major to write off cosmic size debts. War always was reliable way to solve economic problems.
In USSR times Soviet people had big interest in USA culture and technology, their opinion about USA was much better than today in Russia.
I like FR as source of information about life in the USA and opinions of US citizens on different subjects.