[dfwgator]

by Soviet standards a peaceful man who was not willing to get as violent as would have been necessary to hold the country together.

The Lithuanians might beg to differ on that.

[Pollster1]

I did say “by Soviet standards”.

[wetphoenix]

~by Soviet standards a peaceful man who was not willing to get as violent as would have been necessary to hold the country together.
The Lithuanians might beg to differ on that.~

So does Azeris and it is nothing but emotional overreaction. Both are extremely lucky they had Gorby, not Stalin in office at the time.